Honour the heroes who sacrifice their lives for yours

Not every hero wears a cape, but thanks to the firefighters, paramedics, doctors, soldiers and policemen, our lives are protected and have proven to be our daily heroes in our moments of crisis.

READ: Patient, paramedic reminisce

Today, on International Emergency Services Day we celebrate the millions of officers and emergency personnel who risk their lives to save others. We might not always see them in action but everyday and these people work tirelessly, sometimes not even seeing their own families or not getting a moment of rest to ensure that the lives that they vowed to protect can live another day.

To all the paramedics working tonight,thank you for your dedication #netcare911 #savealife #trueheroes @News24 pic.twitter.com/d30wzgahuj

— NETCARE 911 (@Netcare911_sa) May 23, 2017

But unlike superheroes, our real life heroes are not immune to death.

It’s like losing an angel who just earned their wings through the years of service they have dedicated to their fellow man.

Many have lost their lives while on duty, while others slipped quietly into the night, like firefighter, Shane Wheeler, who for 40 years committed to put every fire and wipe every tear.

After a long illness and a recent retirement, the firefighting veteran took his last breathe on Sunday, 14 May. He was given a hero’s sending off with the firefighters from the Amanzimtoti Firestation who gave him an honourable memorial. The procession which started at the fire station ended at the St Winifred’s Methodist Church on Morton Lane, Warner Beach, where the firefighters met the Wheeler family.

READ: Amanzimtoti firefighter’s legacy will live on

Millions of men and women like him will never be forgotten, the fallen heroes that always stood tall for the weak and bravely fought dangerous odds .