The recent protests over racism at various colleges and universities has resulted in many of the schools creating "safe places" for students and resolutions of safety and tolerance.

                At the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Harvard, Yale and others, administrators have agreed to rename the tenured, full-time professors who live in student dorms from "faculty masters" to "faculty directors" because some argue that the word master connotes a legacy of slavery.  I wonder if they'll rename the "Master's" degree next.

                At Lebanon Valley College, students submitted a list of demands to the administrators that includes removing the name of a former college president, Clyde A. Lynch, from a building dedicated to the college leader who directed the school through the Great Depression.

                Protestors felt that the name "Lynch Memorial Hall" had racial overtones of the word "lynch."  I wonder if U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch feels the same way.

                There are many people who are confused over how to feel and react when bombarded with all of the hate, perceived or real, in our nation from those who discriminate against others because they're poor, not the same color or religion, or a member of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community.

                But, there is one group that I have observed for more than 45 years in our community that: doesn't ask how much money you have while trying to save whatever property you may have; doesn't ask your religious beliefs or sexual orientation before they cut you from a crumbled car; and doesn't care about the color of your skin – only what they can do to save it.

                Not only that, but they'll immediately drop what they're doing to help you any time, day or night, even if they don't know you.  They spend hundreds of hours training to be ready to help anyone who needs it.  And they do it for free.

                That's what I thought about most after watching about 75 volunteer firefighters and fire police officers from more than 10 fire companies at the fire at the Blommer Chocolate plant in Upper Hanover Township on Tuesday night.

                I thought about what these dedicated persons were giving during their seven hours of service at the scene: the risk of their own safety; $12,000 in lost wages, 120 gallons of diesel fuel spent, a missed lunch and dinner, and an unknown number of hours without their families, among other things. 

                Each one of them made a promise to the community to be there to provide help when it's needed and to be trained and ready when the alarm sounds.

                So the next time you have an opportunity to support one of your local volunteer fire companies through a hoagie sale, bake sale, soup sale, breakfast, dinner or chicken bar-b-que, social membership, boot drive or any other fund drive, do so.

                Even better, every volunteer fire company is always looking for good, dedicated people willing to train and volunteer to be part of the "Crimson Brigade."

                With no room for prejudices, you'll end up helping to provide a "safe place" for your friends and neighbors.