Firefighters' bald heads show solidarity
Support during a crisis is often represented by a card, flowers or a visit. But for Capt. Pete Stewart of the Butler Bureau of Fire, support and encouragement is coming from 18 bald heads.
All 18 Butler City firefighters shaved their heads last month to help support Stewart, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
As the summer began, Stewart believed he had a sinus infection and was being treated for headaches.
"The headaches weren't going away,"said Chief George Ban.
Further tests revealed Stewart did not have a sinus infection, but melanoma that had spread to his bone marrow and resulted in about 20 lesions on his brain.
Stewart's wife, Peggy, said he had melanoma on his ankle that was removed in 1982, and the doctors then said he was clear. But a quarter of a century later, the melanoma returned.
Since the mid-June diagnosis, Stewart has been in and out of hospitals due to seizures and other complications from his illness and treatment.
During one of Stewart's hospital stays, Ban visited him soon after doctors had shaved half of his head for a shunt for chemotherapy. Stewart's brother-in-law, fellow fire captain Bill Edmiston, shaved the rest.
After visiting, Ban went back to the station in Butler and told the other firefighters he'd be back after supper with clippers.
"Why?"they asked.
"To shave my head,"Ban said.
That night several firefighters shaved as well.
On Ban's next visit, Stewart said, "Nice haircut."
"We went to the same barber,"Ban joked.
Throughout that week all of the city firefighters shaved, along with some volunteer firefighters, including Stewart's nephews and other firefighters' sons.
Peggy Stewart said she "wasn't surprised at all" that they had all shaved their heads. "I knew they'd be there for him," she said.
According to Ban, Stewart's illness has taken a great toll on the department.
"It really kinda grabbed everybody.You hear about that stuff around the area. When it happens to one of your own, it hits home," he said.
Peggy Stewart said, "The guys have been here for him for everything." She said all of the firefighters could always depend on Pete, and now they are giving back.
The firefighters bring food to the family, cut their grass and are available to help with every turn in Stewart's illness.
"The solidarity and brotherhood is unbelievable," she said. "When it comes to a workplace, you don't see this very often."
In addition to helping the Stewarts emotionally and physically, the bureau also is planning a fundraising event to help them financially.
On Aug. 16, city firefighters and others will gather for a motorcycle benefit ride. The ride will begin at the fire station and will end at Butler Memorial Park. Each rider will donate $15, plus an additional $10 per passenger.
The ride will last about 3Z\x hours and will conclude with a picnic at the park. Proceeds will help the Stewarts with the many medical, travel and miscellaneous expenses incurred during Stewart's illness.
Ban said that it's "important to recognize that your family is extended to those you work with. There's no line between fire, police, volunteers and EMS when something like this happens."
"I'm just so amazed," said Peggy Stewart. "The community needs more of this."
<B>WHAT: </B>Benefit ride for Capt. Pete Stewart<B>WHEN: 1</B>0 a.m. Aug. 16<B>WHERE: </B>Butler Bureau of Fire Station, 110 N. Washington St.<B>COST:</B>$15 per rider; $10 per passenger<B>INFO: </B>Ride concludes at Butler Memorial Park with cookout, DJ and Chinese auction. Call Mike Drushel at the station for more information: 724-283-3100.
