[DavidI]

Tonight I will have a shot of Jack Daniels in remembrance of Mrs. De Leon. While on duty 19 years ago this day, I responded to a call of a house fire with people trapped inside. A Christmas tree had ignited. When I arrived, the house was fully engulfed and flames were coming out of the windows. I and a volunteer firefighter entered the house crawling on our hands and knees in an attempt to rescue the occupants. I was able to drag Mrs. De Leon out of the house. The firefighter was also trapped inside and I went back in and dragged him out. I performed CPR on her, although she had suffered 3rd degree burns over 80% of her body. You never forget the smell of a human body burning.... She survived for a week. Two others inside the house perished aw well.

I was awarded the Medal of Valor, but I have always wondered if I had received the call 5 minutes earlier if I could have saved them all.

Here's to you Mrs. De Leon......David