Rowlett Fire Rescue Honor a Rowlett Hero

On Saturday, January 8th, 2011, a Rowlett hero was laid to rest. Drake Foren was an amazing eight year old boy who left this earth fighting down to his last breath. Much was said about Drake last Saturday and in the days leading up to his funeral and I'm sure plenty more will be said. But what I'm writing now isn't so much about Drake as it is about a group of men and women who made Drake's final days and his funeral much more bearable than it otherwise would have been.

 

I found out about Drake and his fight with leukemia about a month before he died. I was also told at that time that Drake had always dreamed of being a firefighter when he grew up. It soon became obvious that Drake might not ever realize that dream.

 

When I heard about Drake, his struggle and his dream I immediately turned to Rowlett Fire Rescue Chief George Harris and Rowlett Firefighter Association President Chris Weinzapfel. Within a matter of days a Fire Chief ID Card was made and hand delivered to Drake at the hospital along with a Rowlett Fire Rescue ball cap. Drake was made an honorary Fire Chief that day. That fact was even mentioned in his obituary.

 

It doesn't stop there though. When Drake died a few weeks later these same firefighters jumped into action again. During the viewing on Friday before Drake's funeral Rowlett Firefighters Cole Hobbs and Jeremy Morphis stood watch. During the funeral Rowlett Firefighter Honor Guard were pallbearers and helped to carry Drake's casket out of the service and to the gravesite where he was laid to rest. The Honor Guard members for his funeral were made up of the following fire personnel: Chris Ensley (Detail Commander), Maleah Patterson, Scott Martinez, Tim Gauthier and Chris Weinzapfel. The Rowlett Firefighters Pipes and Drums Corps also escorted Drake and the pallbearers. The Pipes and Drums Corps are made up of members Garrett Rice, Justin Reyes, Josh Brock, Daniel Pierce and Claude Causey.

 

The Honor Guard is reserved for fallen firefighters, retiree's and family only and not for the everyday citizen. But in this special case Drake was, of course, no everyday citizen - at least not in the minds and hearts of our Rowlett Firefighters. He was an Honorary Fire Chief and was given his own special honor by those who do it in the event of a Line of Duty Death.

 

One final note because I know someone will ask. All of these firefighters volunteered their time to honor Drake. They were off duty and were not paid to do this. They honored Drake because they are the finest firefighters in the world.

 

Rowlett Fire Rescue Honor a Rowlett Hero

On Saturday, January 8th, 2011, a Rowlett hero was laid to rest. Drake Foren was an amazing eight year old boy who left this earth fighting down to his last breath. Much was said about Drake last Saturday and in the days leading up to his funeral and I'm sure plenty more will be said. But what I'm writing now isn't so much about Drake as it is about a group of men and women who made Drake's final days and his funeral much more bearable than it otherwise would have been.

 

I found out about Drake and his fight with leukemia about a month before he died. I was also told at that time that Drake had always dreamed of being a firefighter when he grew up. It soon became obvious that Drake might not ever realize that dream.

 

When I heard about Drake, his struggle and his dream I immediately turned to Rowlett Fire Rescue Chief George Harris and Rowlett Firefighter Association President Chris Weinzapfel. Within a matter of days a Fire Chief ID Card was made and hand delivered to Drake at the hospital along with a Rowlett Fire Rescue ball cap. Drake was made an honorary Fire Chief that day. That fact was even mentioned in his obituary.

 

It doesn't stop there though. When Drake died a few weeks later these same firefighters jumped into action again. During the viewing on Friday before Drake's funeral Rowlett Firefighters Cole Hobbs and Jeremy Morphis stood watch. During the funeral Rowlett Firefighter Honor Guard were pallbearers and helped to carry Drake's casket out of the service and to the gravesite where he was laid to rest. The Honor Guard members for his funeral were made up of the following fire personnel: Chris Ensley (Detail Commander), Maleah Patterson, Scott Martinez, Tim Gauthier and Chris Weinzapfel. The Rowlett Firefighters Pipes and Drums Corps also escorted Drake and the pallbearers. The Pipes and Drums Corps are made up of members Garrett Rice, Justin Reyes, Josh Brock and Claude Causey.

 

The Honor Guard is reserved for fallen firefighters, retiree's and family only and not for the everyday citizen. But in this special case Drake was, of course, no everyday citizen - at least not in the minds and hearts of our Rowlett Firefighters. He was an Honorary Fire Chief and was given his own special honor by those who do it in the event of a Line of Duty Death.

 

One final note because I know someone will ask. All of these firefighters volunteered their time to honor Drake. They were off duty and were not paid to do this. They honored Drake because they are the finest firefighters in the world.