What does "Clemson family" truly mean?

Feb 12, 2017, 5:34 PM

In the fire service it's known as brotherhood, that's the relationship between firefighters that work together and those that are complete strangers. When you work together in life and death situations, whether yours or the person you are helping, it seems obvious that a unique bond is formed. Sometimes that includes a person that you wouldn't care to be around outside of work, but what if you don't get along together at work either? This was hard for me to understand because I am an only child, so brotherhood was an ideal and not real. I didn't grow up arguing and fighting with my lil brother or big sis. When I got into disagreements with someone, the could go to H3ll for all I cared. I had to learn what brotherhood really was all about.

When my Lt. sat me down and explained, after conflict with another firefighter, that we're like a big family. You got the crazy aunt, the pain in the crack cousin, the uncle that picks on you relentlessly, and the overbearing older members just like you have at home. You may not always get along, but they're always there for you to celebrate, to talk with in difficult times, and mourn a loss. This changed my entire perspective going forward in life and he doesn't know it, but I've never forgotten that talk... you see, he and I didn't get along.

So, what about that guy you don't know? You didn't work together, or celebrate his child bring born, attend 911 ceremonies.. Nothing. Even though I don't know him from Adam's cat, we know each other. We share certain life experiences that no one else would understand. We have so much in common that we aren't at a loss for words, can open up about things that we won't talk about at home, and will help each other without a second thought.

Who knows why Fruh left Clemson, and for me it doesn't really matter. He's a kid learning how to be a man. He's like a nephew who's unhappy for whatever reason. I'll support his decisions in trying to figure out his path in life and be happy for his accomplishments. You don't turn your back on family, or you probably aren't in the Clemsons family to begin with....