He has a clear idea of what he wants to do and what he needs to do to get there.

His dream is to become a firefighter.

That's right. Drive the big red truck. Hook up the hoses. Save little old ladies from burning buildings. Be the first to arrive on the scene of an accident on the highway. Even climb ladders to rescue cats from trees.

Heath Holly is an insurance agent and the former youth pastor at First Baptist Church of Reynolds. He has known Caleb since he was knee-high to a gnat.

He said Caleb has always talked about a career in public safety. At first, he wanted to be a police officer. Now he wants to work for the fire department. It's all about helping people.

"I've never seen a student with so much determination and clarity for his calling in life," Heath said.

When Caleb was growing up in nearby Reynolds, he used to drive the police officers crazy. He would flag them down and beg to ride around in the patrol car.

"Some young people will tell you they want to be a rap star or a baseball player," Heath said. "Most of the time, those are just fleeting dreams. But not with Caleb. For as long as I've known him, this is what he has wanted to do."

Caleb is still a couple of years away from graduating from Peach County High School, where he is a sophomore. But he is already getting some terrific on-the-job training. He is a junior firefighter and captain of the Explorer Post for the Peach County Fire Department. He helps work shifts at the fire station and wears a pager. At any time, he might get a call to help fight a brush fire or be summoned to a car wreck.

He has been certified in CPR for the past two years and is active in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) at his school. This past fall, he worked with the EMTs on the ambulance crew at Peach County High football games during the Trojans' undefeated and state championship season.

He has traveled on mission trips with the youth of his church to assist in New Orleans twice after Hurricane Katrina and also in Brunswick.

Caleb is bright and personable, with his head squarely on his shoulders.

There is something else you need to know. It hasn't been the easiest road.

He was the only child of Mike and Lisa Posey.

Mike died on April 24, 2003, after a massive heart attack. He was 44 years old. At his funeral, they played a song from a CD by Vince Gill called "Go Rest High on That Mountain."

Three years later, Lisa Posey was diagnosed with breast cancer. She died this past New Year's Day.

"She told me she wanted that same song played at her funeral," Caleb said. "She just didn't know I was going to sing it."

Caleb was accompanied by Heath on the guitar. Heath's wife, Denise, sang back-up vocals, and Chris Danley played the mandolin.

There wasn't a dry eye in the church.

Jeff Doles is the fire chief in Fort Valley. He and his wife, Cindy, are now Caleb's legal guardians.

We may worry about the direction some of our young people are headed.

Caleb is not one of them.

Reach Gris at 744-4275 or gris@macon.com

Click here: A fire that won't go out - Ed Grisamore - Macon.com

Click here: YouTube - Vince Gill - Go Rest High On That Mountain

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