Have you ever sent an e-mail and had second thoughts about what you wrote, so you scrambled to recall it? Sometimes you can and sometimes it's too late. I've been on the receiving end of a "reply all" when I shouldn't have, and it really smarts! As I tend to write like I speak, I've sent some smart-aleck remarks that would give a stranger the wrong impression of me.

Unfortunately for former DHS Under Secretary Mike Brown, a trail of his e-mail exchanges during Hurricane Katrina were dragged into the hearings in Washington, D.C. this past week, and they didn't make the best impression.

One adviser e-mailed Brown on the Sunday morning of Hurricane Katrina to say that if he rolled up his sleeves Brown would "look more hard-working." The staffer noted that President Bush's sleeves were "just under his elbows."

I'm sure it was really a well-meaning exchange between colleagues, but taken out of context, two months after one of the worst natural disasters in American history, it seems pathetically shallow. Brown does redeem himself, however, as an animal-lover later that week when he presses FEMA staff to find a way for reluctant evacuees to take their pets with them.

How about sending some e-mails or cards that you won't second-guess sending, e-mails that would make a nice difference in someone's life? This year we are again asking for the names and addresses of your firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel who are serving overseas during the holiday season. We'll post these names on www.firechief.com and include them in our December issue for readers to send holiday greetings, a patch or just a note of thanks to those serving overseas.

Last year, MSgt. Gregory L. Boggs, a deputy fire chief, serving in Balad, Iraq, wrote: "Thanks a lot for your support for all of us! I have received a great deal of e-mails and cards from people all over the country and it really means a lot."

Last year, we heard from many of our double-duty public servants on how surprised and appreciative they were to hear from FIRE CHIEF readers.

Sgt. Matthew Nechy, wrote "I wish to say thank-you for what you did in your magazine. You printed my name and APO address in ‘Firefighters, Soldiers at War.’ I have cards and even a small package from all over the U.S. I even received a card from Canada.... I know I appreciated all the support from the fellow firefighters I have never even met — it is a great feeling."

Let's not forget those who serve at home and abroad.

Please send the name, address and/or email address of your department's firefighter/soldier serving overseas to janet@firechief.com. If you'd like to include the name of his or her fire department in the states, please do so.

Every good deed wipes out a bad one.

Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director
janet@firechief.com