If you happened to have stopped by your local pub last night, you may have not been there for the happiest of reasons.

Early in the morning on August 24th, 2009, Buffalo lost 2 of our own.

Lt. Charles W. McCarthy

Firefighter Jonathan S. Croom

Last night, you may have run into one of the hundreds of off duty firefighters that were out paying respects with friends and co-workers remembering our 2 lost brothers.

You may have also have seen, a caring handshake or even a hug between strangers.

There aren’t words that can convey the local loss that we, and especially those that put their life in harms way, feel.

There is no magic wand we can wave to put things right, but we can each make things better.  There will be fundraisers and a most likely a push to give our local rescue departments what they need to do their job and keep them safe.

HotBuffalo asks to give within your means in the coming weeks and keep the memory of these those that have laid down their lives to keep you safe.