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Ben Warren<br />
Continued from page 48<br />
If you could give one piece<br />
of advice to a young person,<br />
what would it be?<br />
I was fortunate to have some great<br />
teachers and mentors along the way,<br />
so here’s what I would pass along.<br />
Beyond common courtesies and<br />
respect, I would encourage those<br />
younger than me to learn how to<br />
communicate effectively. Everyone<br />
has the potential to think up some<br />
great ideas, but they have to be<br />
shared in a way that others will<br />
understand. Learn how to write and<br />
speak well regardless of the path you<br />
choose through life.<br />
What is most rewarding<br />
about your job?<br />
One of the most heart wrenching<br />
sights a firefighter can experience is<br />
a displaced family standing outside<br />
their fire-damaged home. But, the<br />
fact that they made it out is a reward<br />
in itself. In my position, knowing that<br />
the family was prepared, they had a<br />
working smoke alarm, and knew<br />
how to escape quickly is the most<br />
rewarding part…especially if our<br />
team had a part in teaching them<br />
how to survive.<br />
Where do you see yourself<br />
ten years from now?<br />
I can only hope and pray that the Lord<br />
gives me another ten years filled with<br />
the same wonderful opportunities I’ve<br />
enjoyed for the first forty-eight. I can<br />
see myself nearing retirement, but<br />
never wanting to give up the joy of<br />
being a firefighter, husband, father,<br />
and maybe even a grandfather. Our<br />
time shouldn’t be measured in just<br />
years but more so in the memories<br />
we’ve been able to collect along<br />
the way.<br />
2016<br />
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE<br />
JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF RANKIN COUNTY<br />
30 th Anniversary Charity Ball<br />
Saturday, February 27<br />
6:00 PM<br />
McClain Lodge<br />
HONORING MICHAEL & HALEY GUEST<br />
Entertainment provided by MEET THE PRESS<br />
Silent Auction, themed packages and door prizes<br />
$100 per couple (tickets may be purchased at the door)<br />
Cocktail Attire<br />
All printing donated by Dallas Printing<br />
PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT<br />
THE CHILDREN OF RANKIN COUNTY<br />
What are three things on<br />
your bucket list?<br />
I’ve never really considered having a<br />
bucket list. Having goals is fine, but<br />
life unfolds with the opportunities<br />
you’re blessed with each day. I’d much<br />
rather enjoy my experiences as they<br />
happen rather than check them off<br />
of a prepared list. If I did have a bucket<br />
list, it would probably just get lost<br />
under a pile of papers on my desk.<br />
Thanks to all our readers and<br />
advertisers for two great years!<br />
72 • <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2015</strong>
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