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I met Dustin Grubbs for the first time a few weeks ago at the Magee Fire Department Banquet. He and Joni set across from me. I was so impressed with Dustin. I told my friend Diane McPhail who had gone with me what a nice guy he was. Dustin was extremely thoughtful of his wife…and two old ladies (Diane and I). At the end of the banquet, Dustin gave me flowers. I love flowers so he really won my heart that night! Dustin shared with us about his family and his love of the fire department of which he had been a member for two years. Little did I know, I would never visit with Dustin Grubbs again.
Our lives can change in a split second. Unless you have experienced an unexpected life changing event, there is really no way to understand. Your world has just blown up. Life as you knew it one minute ago is now forever changed. Nothing is ever the same. People look at your differently. Some people even treat you differently. But one of the most endearing things about the people of Magee, they just love you more. The band of brothers of the Magee Fire Department are forever Joni’s family. Those guys will never leave her family. They will always love her children. They will always be by her side.
I think of Dustin doing what he really enjoyed…helping the people of Magee. Being a fireman is not an easy job. This is no popularity contest. These guys work. They are called on all hours of the night and day…sometimes even called away from their job. But, always called away from their family.
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When Dustin left home to answer a fire call, his family probably never considered he would not come back. Lives have been shattered. Hearts have been broken.
We as a city need to step up and offer love and support to this family. Dustin Grubbs was one of our own who gave his life to help others. Now, that to me is the true meaning of a hero. I believe Dustin died as a hero. He died serving others.
Visitation for Dustin Grubbs is Tuesday night from 5-8 at Tutor Funeral Home. The funeral is Wednesday at 1 PM at First Baptist Church of Magee. Wednesday night at 7 PM a candlelight Virgil will be held honoring Dustin at the fire station. The public is invited to all services. At the candlelight Virgil , the “helmet” will be passed for donations. The Wednesday night service is another time we can show our love and support not only for the Grubbs family but for our firemen, policemen, and first responders. These guys need to know we love them.
I was talking with Lane Steele’s mother, Nadine Steele, Sunday. Nadine spoke of how all of the firemen were like Lane’s children. His heart is broken…but he must stand firm for his “children.”
As citizens of Magee, we must stand firm for our people.
