They are heroes twice over, and my condolences to their families

Three Americans killed in Australian plane crash identified – and all are U.S. military veterans

Heroes in uniform

Lexington firefighters team up to cover dog owner's veterinary expenses

An anguished Brothers managed to get Nubbin to a nearby vet clinic, where he learned that surgery to repair the leg probably would cost hundreds of dollars, and that Nubbin would have to be put down unless the operation was performed.

That was money Brothers didn't have, and he collapsed in grief at the thought of giving up his beloved dog. Someone called the Lexington fire department.

Among the firefighters who arrived was paramedic Anthony Johnson, who found Brothers on the floor, unable to move and moaning "my dog ... my dog."

It turns out that Johnson is a dog lover. Once he understood what was happening, he decided he had to do something.

Johnson had met Dr. Barry Hays, the veterinarian at the Locust Trace clinic, during a fire inspection at the clinic last year. So, Johnson called Hays, explained the situation and said he would pay for Nubbin's surgery.

and you've probably seen this, of course....

Boot-Buying NYPD Cop Larry DePrimo: 'I Had To Help' Homeless Man

When NYPD Officer Larry DePrimo bought boots for a homeless man who had blisters "the size of his palm,” he never expected anything in return.

But now that a photo of the cop's act of kindness has surfaced, the Internet is swelling with praise for the do-gooder who says he was spurred to action when he saw people laughing at the man on the 35-degree night, according to the New York Post.

Eight years ago today, a senseless death in the line of duty

I'm taking a moment to remember a woman here in Lexington who gave her life trying to save another. Our firefighters and police do not get nearly the recognition they deserve. May she rest in peace, and may her family be comforted by the memorials in her honour.

Firefighters honor Brenda Cowan; hang mystery blanket in former station

Cowan was Lexington's first black female firefighter. She was a trained paramedic, a University of Kentucky graduate and the sister of Fred Cowan, a member of UK's 1978 national championship team. She had been promoted to lieutenant and assigned to Station 18 about a week prior to her death.

Cowan was among the first to arrive to the scene of a shooting at 8645 Adams Lane, about a mile from the station. While tending to another female gunshot victim, Cowan was shot by Patrick Hutchinson, a paranoid schizophrenic who had shot and killed his wife before paramedics arrived. Another firefighter was wounded by Hutchison, who was firing a rifle through an open window of the home.

Unforgivable

This family lost everything, including 3 dogs and a cat, because they didn't pay a nearby city $75 to be included in the list of rural residents who could expect firefighting efforts. Instead, the firefighters came and doused a neighbour who had paid's field to make sure the fire didn't spread, but otherwise watched the family's home burn to the ground. What if a child or other person had been inside? Would they have lifted a finger then?

No pay, no spray: Firefighters let home burn

The fire department's decision to let the home burn was "incredibly irresponsible," said the president of an association representing firefighters.

"Professional, career firefighters shouldn’t be forced to check a list before running out the door to see which homeowners have paid up," Harold Schatisberger, International Association of Fire Fighters president, said in a statement. "They get in their trucks and go."

My best friend, who was also outraged by this story, described the city's practice as a protection racket. Given that the county doesn't have a fire service and the city (who's mayor was completely unapologetic) is the only game in town, I have to agree. The homeowner had begged the firefighters to intervene and offered to pay the fee, or more.

South Fulton's mayor said that the fire department can't let homeowners pay the fee on the spot, because the only people who would pay would be those whose homes are on fire.

Um...really, do you believe that? That's a stupid assertion. I think I'd be selling my land, moving to a area with a sane government, and paying my taxes elsewhere.

More power to him

Amputee graduates from fire academy after lawsuit

Isaac Feliciano is a busy guy. He runs four miles a day and is an accomplished athelete. He wanted to be a firefighter since he was little and pulled from a closet during a house fire when he was four. Lots of little boys dream of being firefighters, but few go on to do it.

Feliciano did, despite losing part of his leg as a result of an infection at age five. Despite being an amputee, he did very well during the physical tests required to enter training. He also scored well on the written test. So after the fire department balked, but he eventually was able to join.

He does more in one day than most people, including me. I say congratulations. I hope he makes a fine firefighter.