It
was a huge show of respect as more than a thousand firefighters and
other emergency personnel attended the funeral of a volunteer Enderby
fireman. 25 year old Dan Botkin died a week ago after an explosion at an industrial fire site at Sperlich Log Construction. BC Lieutenant Governor Steven Point was among the speakers at the standing room only service at the Enderby Arena. Point says Bodkin's death highlights the dangers of providing the community service. "And from time to time this happens. The ultimate sacrifice is made
and I think we come (to these events) because we understand and we
realize, that as the family has suffered this tremendous loss, we are
the beneficiaries of this sacrifice." Hundreds of residents lined the streets of the city of three-thousand
people prior to the service, as firefighters, police, ambulance and
search and rescue members from BC, Alberta, Ontario, and other parts of
the country-- marched to the arena. Rebecca Denlinger, BC's Fire Commissioner, says Botkin gave his life for his community. "All firefighters, we all give up a little bit of our lives from time
to time in the service of our communities, but Dan Botkin gave it all.
He has offered the highest sacrifice. He laid down his life or us, and
he lost it." Denlinger says any lessons that can be learned from Botkin's death will be used to benefit other firefighters in the future. Botkin's friend Sean Annan says his buddy who grew up in Enderby, was proud of his community. "Dan didn't die a hero, he was born one. I know Dan's received a lot
of attention for shining in his final hour, but those who knew him, know
he's been shining for his entire life." Botkin -- who had been with the department for six years and was a captain -- is the first firefighter to die in BC since 2004. He had been married to wife Miranda, daughter of former Spallumcheen Mayor Will Hansma, since October 29th.
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