FOR those of us who met the six West Sussex firefighters just days after they returned from their rescue mission in Haiti, the experience was truly humbling.
Worthing firefighter Brian Vincent joked his children quipped about his days away, teasing he was on a Caribbean holiday.
The reality was nothing like the luxury breaks people enjoy in what is usually a tropical paradise.
Piles of bodies lined
the obliterated streets, which reeked with the stench of death.
Entire communities have been devastated by the earthquake and aftershocks – a far cry from the cliché of rescuing cats from palm trees.
The sun tans on the firefighters' faces, the only visible signs of the rescue mission far away from their frozen home.
These tans will soon fade, but their memories of the harrowing scenes they witnessed on a daily basis are sure to last forever.
Hearing their stories put into perspective the various gripes people have had about the snow and ice earlier this month.
Never once complaining about their ordeal, the firefighters praised the people of Haiti for being so gracious towards them, despite their tragedies.
It takes real heroes to display such modesty.
These brave firefighters are now safely back home.
While they probably won't be dealing with any more earthquakes in a hurry, the people of West Sussex should be proud to have these true heroes serving our community.
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