THE BRUSH FIRES IN ISRAEL HAD BEEN RAGING FOR DAYS IN THE LAND THAT I LOVE

Ben Arnold LAFD

IT WAS 4:00 AM, THANKSGIVING MORNING.

MY PHONE VIBRATED ON THE NIGHT STAND AND THE TEXT READ 'WE’RE DEPLOYING TO ISRAEL-- LEAVING IN 6 HOURS. I LEANED OVER TO KISS MY FIANCÉE GOODBYE AND LEFT FOR THE LONG FLIGHT FROM LAX TO BEN GURION AIRPORT.