                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, March 26, 1996                TAG: 9603260011
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A12  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Editorial 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   74 lines

A REMINDER OF WHAT PUBLIC SERVICE MEANS FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS

For the second time in less than six months, Chesapeake is mourning the loss of public servants killed in the line of duty.

The most recent deaths were those of Frank E. Young, 38, and John R. Hudgins, 32, firefighters. Both men died last week when a burning building collapsed as they tried to fight the blaze. Theirs were the first in-the-line-of-duty deaths in the Chesapeake Fire Department for 20 years.

In November, Chesapeake police Officer Daniel E. Eaker, 37, was killed while assisting a motorist on George Washington Highway.

What do all three men have in common? They were dedicated public servants who chose dangerous jobs that make the rest of us safer. They weren't rich men, and their jobs, unfortunately, carried little prestige. They gave their lives while helping others.

Sadly, all three men were also fathers. Among them, they leave four children without dads. That number will rise to five when John Hudgins' widow delivers their unborn baby.

Firefighters from around the nation came to honor Young and Hudgins at their funeral services Friday and Saturday. Each year about 29 American firefighters die while on duty. Only a fellow firefighter can truly comprehend the danger involved in their job. They live with the knowledge that each workday can be their last and every burning structure is lethal.

State flags flew at half-staff last Friday and Saturday and in Chesapeake flags were lowered all week out of respect for the fallen firefighters.

It's unfortunate that it takes a tragedy to remind the rest of us that we are free to go about our busy lives in relative safety and without a thought because we are protected by a web of services we take for granted.

But when the need arises, the firefighters arrive, the police respond, the ambulances and emergency rooms spring into action. Because there are men and women like Frank E. Young, John R. Hudgins and Daniel E. Eaker, a safe and civilized life is possible. We owe them our respect and gratitude.

For the second time in less than six months, Chesapeake is mourning the loss of public servants killed in the line of duty.

The most recent deaths were those of Frank E. Young, 38, and John R. Hudgins, 32, firefighters. Both men died last week when a burning building collapsed as they fought the blaze. Theirs were the first in-the-line-of-duty deaths in the Chesapeake Fire Department for 20 years.

In November, Chesapeake police Officer Daniel E. Eaker, 37, was killed while assisting a motorist on George Washington Highway.

All three men were also fathers. Sadly, they leave four children without dads. That number will rise to five when John Hudgins' widow delivers their baby.

State flags flew at half-staff last Friday and Saturday and in Chesapeake flags were lowered all week out of respect for the fallen firefighters.

It's unfortunate that it takes a tragedy to remind the rest of us that we are free to go about our busy lives in relative safety because we are protected by a web of services we take for granted.