PTC firefighters'
shaved heads are tribute to their embattled Chief
Reed By SALLIE SATTERTHWAITE
Staff Writer
For some guys, the
way they wear their hair makes a
statement about how they view
themselves. Picture the flowing locks of a
country singer or the trim coif of a fast-track
executive.
For some athletes,
a shaved pate is an emblem of virility, prowess
on the court, a mark of machismo.
But for seven
Peachtree City firefighters, bald is beautiful, a
token of teamwork.
Their
statement means a lot to Peachtree
City Fire Chief Gerald Reed, currently undergoing
treatment for cancer. When chemotherapy started
taking its toll on his already stressed hairline,
he decided to shave it all off and be done with
it.
And as a sign of
solidarity, Lt. Gary North's shift decided to
join him.
Kerry Crawford was
the first to shave his head and persuaded North
to do the same, a tough sell said an anonymous
source, because North was, well, attached to his
hair. But once their supervisor took the plunge,
Cery Fannin, John Shires, Tom Yoders, Rob Eidson
and Scott Waller went bald too.
Reed was
dumbstruck.
Those guys
are crazy, he said from his room at
Piedmont Hospital a few days later, then added,
It made me feel real good.
Was it a fashion
statement? Reed laughed: I'm not a real
trend-setter, he said, but I've
noticed I don't have to shave much anymore.
We did it to
help keep his spirits up, said North.
He was here working when we did it, and he
thought it was great. It's a symbol of
teamwork.
North noted that
the chief is in and out of the hospital as
required by his chemo schedule, but comes into
the office whenever he can. Through it all, he's
been an inspiration to members of the department,
both career and volunteer.
Volunteer J.R.
Rutledge said Reed's positive attitude toward his
illness has helped ease the reaction of those
around him. Members have offered blood and bone
marrow, and many speak of including the chief in
their prayers.
I have seen
an outpouring of support for Gerald,
Rutledge said. He has raised the bar and
given new meaning to the word courage in facing
this struggle. The firefighter added that
he hopes all Peachtree City citizens would pray
for Reed.
Someone sent a
picture of the eight shining scalps to city hall,
where it wound up on posters now pinned to
bulletin boards throughout city departments, a
statement of teamwork.
Reed called the
gesture overwhelming, and said he is
also grateful for the cards and notes he has been
receiving from friends and citizens.
In these
situations people don't really realize their card
or phone call means so much, he said.
Send Chief Reed
get-well wishes in care of Peachtree City Fire
Department, 105 Peachtree Pkwy. North, Peachtree
City 30269.
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