On call members of the Gaffney Fire Department shared a Thanksgiving meal together on Thursday afternoon. Away from their families, they had the next best thing — brotherhood. If you can’t sit down to eat with your biological family, you might as well feast with your brothers.

While waiting for the emergency calls that invariably would come throughout the day, City of Gaffney firefighters were able to share some great food, great company, and, at least during their dinner, some quiet moments together.

City firefighters work 24- hour shifts and the B-shift started its day at 7 a.m.

Planned in advance, each firefighter on the Thanksgiving shift was responsible for bringing a side item for their meal together while firefighter Mike Scruggs, who competes in barbecue contests as a hobby, was tasked with cooking up the meat dishes.

They could choose from smoked turkey, smoked pork and a rack of barbecued ribs that Scruggs deemed “competition good.” He had spent about 10 hours getting the meat dishes ready the day before the dinner.

On the side, they could select from pinto beans, sweet potato soufflé, baked macaroni and cheese, corn bread, biscuits and hot buttered rolls.

But what’s for dessert? There was a delectable-looking “Butterfinger” cake, a traditional pumpkin pie and Little Debbie Zebra Cakes.

The laughter in the room that was prevalent while Scruggs doled out little tastes of the feast to come fell silent when firefighter Danny Moss said grace.

They bowed their heads in thanks for the meal, their blessings and the company they shared.

The quiet continued throughout the meal and not just because the firefighters said the meal was so good.

Their emergency radios were silent. At least for a time, no one in Gaffney needed emergency help.

Anyone could be thankful for that.

They knew, however, the silence wouldn’t last.

The radio would summon some of them just 30 minutes later.