Streets of Heaven

"Courage often comes later." I had uttered these words this past Friday morning at the headquarters of the London Fire Department on what was their annual memorial for those of the service who had died during the vicious attacks of September 11, 2001. Each year I'm asked to address the group, not because I'm an MP but owing to the fact I was a firefighter and captain for almost three decades.This year felt a bit different for me. Though the crowd contained a number of dignitaries, it was the presence of my former colleagues, arrayed in full dress uniform, that brought out the emotion in me. As I watched them, with the many close calls we had been through together over the years running through my mind, I opted to speak to them about the trait of courage.The presence of bravery is rarely there at the beginning, but comes on the heels of surviving numerous instances of danger. But for the firefighters in New York City that September morning, it's doubtful that courage, as a clear emotion, was abundant. They were facing something never seen before and, as their families and colleagues were to attest later, they were petrified. Yet even with a lack of proper equipment, they entered a world of complete chaos out of a sense of duty and faithfulness to their colleagues. It only got worse in the next few minutes and one can only imagine the fear that must have shook their beings as the towers crumbled.Courage isn't necessary for acts of great sacrifice, and for individuals like our firefighters or military personnel in Afghanistan, death sometimes comes before they are able to receive that sense of moral assurance. What should be a reward for great valour is often cut short by death and fear. When carnage takes place, whether in office towers or the dirt roads of Afghanistan, life loses its clear sense and all that is left is duty to your country and faithfulness to those beside you. Fear is then overcome and, if you're lucky, courage comes when it's over and it prepares you for the next time.But for those whose lives are wiped out before that cycle is complete, they look to us - those that remain - to validate what they were struggling for. We are now supposed to show our own type of courage because of the sacrifice such heroes have endured.We are fortunate to live in a society that isn't at war with itself. Our institutions and people have developed a knack for peaceful living and only a few of us are required to risk our lives to preserve that privilege. Often we become lazy and forgetful because, in comparison with other nations, life for us is so easy. The death and sacrifice of our firefighters and military personnel are nevertheless the price we pay for our ideals. On that morning at the fire station I realized I was no longer a part of that esteemed group. My former colleagues had their equipment beside the trucks, ready to go in an instant if called. They would risk their lives for their community. I no longer had that privilege and in a way I felt saddened.In the presence of such dedication and duty the rest of us are meant to pick up our game. Privileged lives like ours don't come free but are protected by those who would risk all for our ease and prosperity. The sacrifice of even one soldier in Afghanistan should be enough, easily enough, to force every Member of Parliament to cut the shenanigans and serve in lives that honour that death - as should we all. The streets of heaven were suddenly full of firefighters after 9-11. And they are fuller now with many of our soldiers from Afghanistan. Sadly, their fear and sacrifice has failed to produce that courage necessary in those of us who survive to live lives that honour what they died for. Every politician and every citizen should do better, much better. It's time for the rank partisanship to end and for the honourable service to our country to take prominence, for citizens to take their country seriously and for their representatives to lead the way in that endeavour. To all my colleagues at headquarters that morning, thank you for your willingness to sacrifice, and I can only promise to try to be more courageous.