photo
courtesy of the Pueblo Chieftain
The great thing about living in a small town is everybody knows you, the bad thing about living in a small town is everybody knows you. This week brought out the truth that we in a small town know. The people we know were doing a fine job fighting the fire and supporting the firefighters any way they could even if it was with a little prayer. When we heard that there were two firefighters killed on Tuesday, April 15th 2008, Michelle and I said "who is it we know?"
I have known Terry DeVore since he was a child. I have known his parents Bruce and Debbie for years. Even in a small town you don't always run into people on a regular basis so I haven't talked to anyone in the DeVore family in a while. I want them and the community to know that you can be proud of the way your son lived his life displaying his small town values for the whole world to see.
To the Schwartz family, I didn't know John. I know his son Cody through his involvement with my son David and FFA. My dad, Orville, knew John and he liked him a lot. I know if his life wasn't cut short that we would have met and been friends, that is the way it works here.
Everywhere we live we take things for granted. Our lights come on, our food is in the store, our roads are passable, our streets are safe, and when we have a fire the firefighters respond. Ordway was evacuated and people were leaving. Terry, John, and dozens of others were heading into the danger to put their lives on the line in order to protect our lives and property. Due to the sacrifice of these brave men no other lives were lost and even more property wasn't lost. We owe a debt that cannot be paid to these men and women who fought this firestorm. Nobody enjoys a memorial service but we need to go through the service in order that we can heal as a family community. I feel honored to be able to stream the service so people can go through the grieving process even though they may be a world away.
God Bless you Terry, John, your families and your comrades in fire fighting.
John Tomky
The great thing about living in a small town is everybody knows you, the bad thing about living in a small town is everybody knows you. This week brought out the truth that we in a small town know. The people we know were doing a fine job fighting the fire and supporting the firefighters any way they could even if it was with a little prayer. When we heard that there were two firefighters killed on Tuesday, April 15th 2008, Michelle and I said "who is it we know?"
I have known Terry DeVore since he was a child. I have known his parents Bruce and Debbie for years. Even in a small town you don't always run into people on a regular basis so I haven't talked to anyone in the DeVore family in a while. I want them and the community to know that you can be proud of the way your son lived his life displaying his small town values for the whole world to see.
To the Schwartz family, I didn't know John. I know his son Cody through his involvement with my son David and FFA. My dad, Orville, knew John and he liked him a lot. I know if his life wasn't cut short that we would have met and been friends, that is the way it works here.
Everywhere we live we take things for granted. Our lights come on, our food is in the store, our roads are passable, our streets are safe, and when we have a fire the firefighters respond. Ordway was evacuated and people were leaving. Terry, John, and dozens of others were heading into the danger to put their lives on the line in order to protect our lives and property. Due to the sacrifice of these brave men no other lives were lost and even more property wasn't lost. We owe a debt that cannot be paid to these men and women who fought this firestorm. Nobody enjoys a memorial service but we need to go through the service in order that we can heal as a family community. I feel honored to be able to stream the service so people can go through the grieving process even though they may be a world away.
God Bless you Terry, John, your families and your comrades in fire fighting.
John Tomky
Ordway Fire 2008
by Jennifer Gray
Can you imagine having less than 30 seconds to grab your kids from their naps and then make the decision to walk out with the babies in your arms into a wildfire so you can escape from a burning house? My sister and brother-in-law saw the wildfire from the window of their home when it was nearly quarter of a mile away. They both ran upstairs to get their 3 sons and 1 nephew from their beds (ages 4, 3, 2, and 1) and by the time they got back downstairs, their home was engulfed in flames. At first they tried to leave through the front door, but it was too hot. When the got to the back door, they were again blocked by flames, but decided to risk running through them. Although smoke was everywhere, there was a small clearing near the garage where they stood for a few seconds refuge to decide what to do and where to go. Riley ran towards the corrals to see if there was a safe place to go, but came back and told my sister, Staci to load the kids in the minivan because they were just going to have to leave and couldn't waste one more second. The tall cedar trees that lined their driveway had become a wall of flame, but they had to drive the van between a burning house and trees to escape with their lives and the clothes on their backs. Coming back to see the smoldering rubble of their home today, they were amazed to see how the Lord had safely delivered them from the inferno that took everything they own -- their home, their garage with three automobiles, sheds, outbuildings, 7acres of pasture -- but left their two horses alive, their RV untouched, and two neighboring houses unscathed. Staci said it's hard not to think of all the 'what-ifs':
What if Riley had not been home to help her carry the four boys to safety and to give her the courage to carry them through the flames to safety?
What if they had not seen the fire through the window?
What if the keys had not been in the ignition of the minivan?
What if they did not have the certainty of their faith in the Lord God Almighty?
The attached pictures show what is left of their tri-level home, two-car garage, several smaller sheds, and seven acres of pasture land. Much of Crowley County looks like a barren wasteland, but we all know that it could have been so much worse! Rather than going straight through the town, burning everything in it's path, the fire circled around the edges in a seemingly random pattern, and often the structures that burned were uninhabited.
We look forward to seeing how God will work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. We know He will be glorified in all things and that He is in the work of restoration -- bringing beauty from the ashes. We also covet your prayers on our behalf and for those who have lost so much more. The two volunteer firemen who died each left behind four children who sorely miss their fathers. We mourn with them and lift up their aching hearts to the Lord.
Thank you for your care and concern. It means a lot to know that you are all thinking of us and willing to help in any way you can.
Jennifer Gray
  Staci and Riley Buford's House and truck. |
 This photo shows their RV untouched. |
These photos are courtesy of Debi Relaford. They are taken at Roads H and G, Road H and Main.