A hero is defined by a servant’s heart, officials at BrookhavenFirst Assembly Church’s “Heroes In Uniform” banquet said Thursdaynight.

Members of Brookhaven fire and police departments, the LincolnCounty Sheriff’s Department, and of King’s Daughters MedicalCenter’s Emergency Medical Services gathered at First Assembly tohave not only their stomachs filled, but their heartsencouraged.

“Every once in a while a person touches our lives with theirwords or actions and it changes us forever,” said District 51 Sen.Michael Watson, who delivered the keynote address. “You allsacrifice in a way that should expand our vision and inspire us tolive our lives at a higher level.”

The state senator from Jackson County told the group that beingin the emergency services means hard, heartbreaking work withlittle acclaim, but he assured them it is never for nothing.

“In public service it seems like there are days you can’t winfor losing,” he said. “So many of the things you do go unnoticed,and a lot of people aren’t going to appreciate them when you arenoticed.

“But your efforts to protect us will be rewarded, because whatyou do for the least of these, you do for God,” he continued.”Nothing you do is taken for granted by our Heavenly Father.”

In addition, Watson told the group, while they may not seethemselves as any different than anyone else, they are. He said inhis time in office he has spoken to many emergency service workerswho told him humbly, “I was just doing my job.”

“No, in all actuality, you’re being a hero,” he said. “Thesefolks are so humble, and they don’t think they’re any braver thanother people, but I have to disagree. You were at your bravest whenyou stood up and took this as your job.”

And even on the days when tragedy and discouragement strike,Watson told the group that they are still the kind of people thatnormal people should aspire to be.

“Everyday heroes are honest, hardworking, faithful and loyal,but you take it to another level,” he said. “It is the ultimate actof giving of yourself for others that distinguishes you.”

Watson also said that the ability of law enforcement, fire andEMS to keep their heads when other people are having the worstmoments of their lives is what ultimately puts them in that bracketof higher service.

“There’s something in every human spirit that longs to beelevated to a higher level,” he said. “We are grateful for yourservice and challenged by your humility and virtue.”

First Assembly Pastor Jim Mannon said the reason his church putson the banquet each year is so that locally, emergency servicepersonnel know they are appreciated. In addition, he said, it is arecognition that for those people, it is not just a job, it’s acalling.

“We’re reminded in Romans 13 that you are in a place ofauthority, and that is a God-given responsibility,” he said. “Itquits being a job and becomes about what God called you to do. Thisis a call and a mandate from God – thank you for following thatcall.”