fter a generation of antiheroes and celebrities, of leaders more concerned with image than integrity and polls than principles, skepticism and cynicism are on the run. The brave are back-those who, when danger threatens, are first in and last out.

Captain Francis J. Callahan commanded Engine Company 40 and Ladder Company 35 for the New York Fire Department. Because their building is on the west side of the city, his men managed to get to the World Trade Center sooner than many other units on September 11. Of the 13 firefighters who jumped aboard the two rigs that morning, only one survived-Kevin Shea, who was literally blown out of the building.

On December 10 the men of 40/35 attended the last of the services for their fallen comrades. They came to pay tribute to their captain, a 30-year veteran who died with his men. House commander Captain James Gormley delivered the eulogy, which was printed in full by the New York Times for December 23, 2001.

Gormley's tribute reveals the stuff of heroes and leaders. The qualities he describes so eloquently are those that make for greatness in a person, a family, a society-or a church.

The eulogy moved me profoundly, especially the following excerpts, which I will share without comment:

"Officers very literally lead firefighters into harm's way. We go first. If things go badly we are required by our oath and tradition to be the last of our command to leave. Accountability for our men is carved into our heart. Responsibility for our men, their wives and children are in the depth of our soul. . . .

"When a friend dies we miss them, we regret words unspoken, we remember the love. When a brother dies we grieve for the future without him. His endless possibilities. If your brother doesn't die of old age you might never accept the parting. When a comrade dies we miss them, we regret words unspoken, we remember the love, we grieve the future without them. We are also proud. Proud to have known a good man, a better man than ourselves. We respect the need for him to leave, to rest.

"Some people equate camaraderie with being jovial. It is anything but. Camaraderie is sharing hardship. It is shouts and commands, bruises and cuts. It's a sore back and lungs that burn from exertion. It's heat on your neck and a pit in your stomach. It's a grimy handshake and a hug on wet shoulders when we're safe. It's not being asleep when it's your turn on watch. It is trust, it is respect, it is acting honorably.

"You hold your comrade up when he can't stand on his own. You breathe for him when his body's forgotten how. It's lifting a man up who loves his wife and children as much as you love your own. Looking them in the eye for the rest of your life and trying to explain, and not being able to. You kiss them for him. It's laying him down gently when his name appears on God's roll call. It's remembering his name. I'll never forget his name. He was just what he was called: Frank. You never had to chase your answer. He said it to your face. . . .

"There's a song out of Ireland. A line of it says, 'Comrade tread lightly; you're near to a hero's grave.'. . . Frank was light on his feet, but he never tread anywhere lightly. When Frank did something it was like a sharp axe biting into soft fresh pine, with a strong, sure stroke. It was done. It was right. It meant something. It was refreshing. It smelled good. . . .

"Frank Callahan did not fail in his leadership. He led his command where they were needed, and he's the last of them to leave. If more of the world's leaders were forged as he was, our world would not be in its current state.

"Frank Callahan is a star, a reference point. A defined spot on the map of humanity. Guide on him to navigate the darkness. You will not wander; you will not become lost."

The Bible is a book of heroes, of ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things by God's power. And heading the roll call is Jesus, the ultimate hero, who "endured the cross, despising the shame" (Heb. 12:2). Because of us, He was first in and last out.

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William G. Johnsson is editor of the Adventist Review.