We had occasion to be visited by the Manassas Fire Department early last Saturday morning. And by early, I mean 4 AM early. I was awakened by someone knocking on the door at that time, which is never a good thing. I opened the door, to be greeted by a fireman in full gear with a big red fire truck behind him idling at the curb, lights flashing.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“Do you have a fire?” he asked back.

 “Not that I know of,” I said.

He asked my address and I told him and he said they had received a call for a fire at this address. We thought together that there must have been a mistake in the street or house number, unless one of the cats had figured out how to call in a fire.

He apologized for disturbing us. I said it was good to know they were on the job and thanked him for all the good service the local first responders do. He said “You’re welcome,” and I went back to sleep.

We have had a couple of other knocks on the door. One was a policeman who told me that the interior light to one of the cars was on. I checked, and nothing was missing. Once again, I was thankful for those who keep watch all night so that we might sleep peaceably in our beds. They are indeed our finest.