Last Monday night in Kansas City, two heroic firefighters died while battling a fire at an apartment building. Larry Leggio, 43, and John Mesh, 39, were both lost when the three-story building collapsed just minutes after rescuing two people. Leggio was a 17-year KCFD veteran and Mesh — a father of four — was a 13-year veteran. On Saturday, thousands filled Kansas City’s Spirit Center to pay their respects at a two-hour memorial service.
Their bravery and selflessness the face of certain danger exemplifies everything it means to hero, which is everything it means to be a Bro in our book. It’s a reminder of just how much our first responders put on the line every day. We owe these public servants all the respect for that — They run into a burning building when everyone else is running out. A NYFD firefighter phrased it to perfectly to me outside my neighborhood bar while smoking a cigarette: “We’re sorta like the modern day Spartans — Mental toughness is everything. The only thing we care about is the greater good.” Respect.
The video above is a toast at a bar where fellow firefighters from all around the country gathered to salute their two fallen brothers this weekend. There were firefighters from all over there to pay tribute. And bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace” with glasses raised in the air will give you chills.
If you’re interested in making a donation to help the Leggio and Mesh families, please check out this post at KMBC. Kansas City Royals fans have raised over $100,000 for the families, along with donations from others around the country.
RIP to two heroes. Pour one out for them tonight, Bros.