GLENDAL — A firefighter from the Glendale Fire Department paid a special tribute to Nikki Sullivan, a retired firefighter and EMT, who passed away after a long battle with cancer on April 3.
In a tweet, the Glendale Fire Department writes, “Mesa Fire Department lost one of their own to Cancer. A risk all firefighters embrace when they commit to this career. Our own Alex Mathews wrote this poem and shared this photo in honor of Firefighter Nikki Sullivan and we wanted to share it with you.”
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The poem reads:
"For I am the Fallen
Remember me…
The flag’s carefully folded
The bells they tone for me
The final call is given
Traditions that we bleed
Remembering…
The thoughts that make you smile
The silly memories
The stories in the kitchen
The things only we see
Remember we…
My family wears the burden
To have to set me free
My friends forever carry
A little bit of me
For a lifetime full of honor
Love, Life and Family
I’d do it all again
For you all right next to me"
The poem is signed “Rest easy, FF Sullivan.”
"She fought courageously for the last 5 years trying to beat this horrible disease and live to see her daughter grow up. She lost her battle...with friends and family surrounding her," Mesa fire officials said following Sullivan’s passing.
Mesa Fire Department lost one of their own to Cancer. A risk all firefighters embrace when they commit to this career. Our own Alex Mathews wrote this poem and shared this photo in honor of Firefighter Nikki Sullivan and we wanted to share it with you. pic.twitter.com/4oSpkPoyZL
— Glendale Fire Dept. (@GlendaleFire) April 14, 2019
