For some guys, the

way they wear their hair makes a

"statement" about how they view

themselves. Picture the flowing locks of a

country singer or the trim coif of a fast-track

executive.

For some athletes,

a shaved pate is an emblem of virility, prowess

on the court, a mark of machismo.

But for seven

Peachtree City firefighters, bald is beautiful, a

token of teamwork.

Their

"statement" means a lot to Peachtree

City Fire Chief Gerald Reed, currently undergoing

treatment for cancer. When chemotherapy started

taking its toll on his already stressed hairline,

he decided to shave it all off and be done with

it.

And as a sign of

solidarity, Lt. Gary North's shift decided to

join him.

Kerry Crawford was

the first to shave his head and persuaded North

to do the same, a tough sell said an anonymous

source, because North was, well, attached to his

hair. But once their supervisor took the plunge,

Cery Fannin, John Shires, Tom Yoders, Rob Eidson

and Scott Waller went bald too.

Reed was

dumbstruck.

"Those guys

are crazy," he said from his room at

Piedmont Hospital a few days later, then added,

"It made me feel real good."

Was it a fashion

statement? Reed laughed: "I'm not a real

trend-setter," he said, "but I've

noticed I don't have to shave much anymore."

"We did it to

help keep his spirits up," said North.

"He was here working when we did it, and he

thought it was great. It's a symbol of

teamwork."

North noted that

the chief is in and out of the hospital as

required by his chemo schedule, but comes into

the office whenever he can. Through it all, he's

been an inspiration to members of the department,

both career and volunteer.

Volunteer J.R.

Rutledge said Reed's positive attitude toward his

illness has helped ease the reaction of those

around him. Members have offered blood and bone

marrow, and many speak of including the chief in

their prayers.

"I have seen

an outpouring of support for Gerald,"

Rutledge said. "He has raised the bar and

given new meaning to the word courage in facing

this struggle." The firefighter added that

he hopes all Peachtree City citizens would pray

for Reed.

Someone sent a

picture of the eight shining scalps to city hall,

where it wound up on posters now pinned to

bulletin boards throughout city departments, a

statement of teamwork.

Reed called the

gesture "overwhelming," and said he is

also grateful for the cards and notes he has been

receiving from friends and citizens.

"In these

situations people don't really realize their card

or phone call means so much," he said.

Send Chief Reed

get-well wishes in care of Peachtree City Fire

Department, 105 Peachtree Pkwy. North, Peachtree

City 30269.

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