Whether the problem is domestic violence, motor vehicle accident, home burglary or house fire, when that 911 call is made there are men and women sitting at the ready to respond. These highly trained and courageous individuals are the FIRST RESPONDERS. When they serve a warrant they do not know if they will be met with a frown or a shotgun. When they reach a MVA they do not know how many minutes they have to sustain life. When they investigate a burglary they do not know if the culprits are still inside, armed and dangerous. When they enter a burning building they do not know if there are unconscious occupants or when the structure may fall. These are the daily lives of our sheriff deputies, EMT units, police and firefighters. They respond when our needs are the greatest. They are not fearless. They have families that want them to come home. They overcome their fears to do the job at hand. Fearlessness is much akin to foolhardy. Bravery is overcoming fear and taking care of business.

We are blessed in our communities to have this contingent of men and women who are willing to put themselves in harm's way that we may live more safely and with the contentment that someone cares.

To show our appreciation to these brave folks, NCBS will now offer two full scholarships plus two guest passes to "THE Feast" Saturday night to two deputies, two EMTs, two policemen and two firefighters to attend each of our NCBS BBQ Boot Camps and NCBS Certified BBQ Judge Classes begining with the Mountain NCBS BBQ Boot Camp July 17 - 18, 2015. NCBS will also invite the Sheriff, Head of EMT, Police Chief and the Fire Chief and their guests to be our guests for "THE Feast".

Please extend a warm NCBS welcome to our FIRST RESPONDER guests and keep them in your prayers that every time they answer a call they will return safely to their families and those who love them.

NCBS salutes NORTH CAROLINA'S FIRST RESPONDERS AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS NATIONWIDE. They like our wounded WARRIORS are our HEROS! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ONE AND ALL.

Jim Early