Posted on 08/31/2005 9:49:24 PM PDT by smoothsailing
Heart of America: Common People Doing Heroic Things
Written by Barbara J. Stock
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Whether natural or man made, disasters always bring out the best and worst in humans.
Tuesday, a television reporter interviewed a man who related to her that after his family had escaped the rising flood waters of Hurricane Katrina to the roof of their home, the house split in two. He desperately tried to hang on to his wife's hand, but she was slipping and she had to know that her death was only minutes away. She didn't scream at him to save her. Instead, she told him she knew he could not hold her any longer. She said to her husband, "Take care of the kids." Then she was gone. In their last seconds together, she absolved him of any guilt for her death by assuring him he had done all he could and gently reminded him that he would have to care for the kids now. Common people doing heroic things!
Their homes under water and destroyed, rescue workers had to put their own losses out of their minds as they plowed through filthy water saving people's lives. Men dangled from helicopters and dodged power-lines and tree limbs to pluck people of off rooftops. Common people doing heroic things!
One rescued man told a television reporter that he had wanted to leave the city, but his 90- year-old mother refused to go with him. "What could I do?" he told the reporter, "I couldn't leave my mother." So they both hunkered down and rode out the storm, ending up on the roof of the house as the last place of refuge. Had he not remained with his elderly mother, she surely would have died. Common people doing heroic things!
Shepard Smith, one of the stars FOX News, grew up in Mississippi. Shepard is usually seen sporting an expensive suit and broadcasting from an air conditioned studio in New York City. This time he was in French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana wearing a wrinkled t-shirt and looking as hot and sweaty as everyone else. After listening to a report about the total devastation in Biloxi, Mississippi, he could barely choke back the tears as he said simply, "Mississippi is my home." Stripped of his celebrity, he became a kid from Mississippi who realized at that moment that his home state would never be same.
Downed trees and debris left behind in the wake of Hurricane Katrina were preventing rescue workers from getting into the cities where people desperately needed help. Men broke into the local hardware stores and a WalMart, not to loot, but to get chainsaws and axes so they could clear the roads for the rescue workers. Some left money, whatever they had, and others left notes saying they would come back and pay for what they were taking. It really wasn't necessary for them to do that. WalMart officials had already told authorities to take whatever they needed from their stores. Their own homes destroyed, these men were out working by flashlight in the middle of the night clearing roads so that help could get where it needed to be. Common people doing heroic things!
Linemen and medical personnel from all over the country were on their way south before Katrina made landfall, knowing that they would be needed. Trucks delivering bottled water, medical supplies, and food turned away from their planned routes and headed for the stricken areas. People siphoned diesel fuel and gasoline from their own tractors or cars to keep rescue vehicles and their lifesaving supplies on the road. Common people doing heroic things!
It's because of these nameless heroes that the looters and thugs can be ignored, just for a while. It's because of the farmers with chainsaws whose names we will never know, that we can ignore the famous, bratty, and rich congressman who chose to make this horrible situation a political issue. It's because of the woman who slid to her death with only her children on her mind that we can ignore the celebration of Islamics who believe that Allah sent this hurricane to punish America. We know better.
I love this country. Like no other country on this earth, Americans put their own lives aside to help their countrymen in a disaster. Yes, there are always bad apples, but they are the minority. There will always be those who steal while others save lives. They will all be judged one day by a higher authority.
While we will never know the names of all the heroes, there will be a special place in heaven for those who put their own lives on hold and at risk to help others. If there is a sign in heaven, so these folks will know where to go, it will read, "This part of heaven is for common people who have done heroic things."
About the Writer: Barbara J. Stock is a registered nurse who enjoys writing about politics and current events. She has a website at http://www.republicanandproud.com/. Barbara J. receives e-mail at dickens502003@yahoo.com.
Copyright © 2005 ChronWatch. All rights reserved.
Thanks for the positive post. I was getting depressed about the whole mess and how it's going to affect the country. The lack of support by many in the media for the fight against terrorism, all the sychophantic attention to Sheehan added up to a discouraging, depressing and negative view to me. Your post was encouraging. Thanks.
Beautiful article. Thanks for posting it.
Thanks for the post. So nice to see some positive, heartwarming news rather than the relentless negativity from old media.
That was awesome! That's in the "aaaaaaahhhh" category. It'll be ok, lots to do, but they'll make it!
(Wow I just realized I haven't seen anyone post "The South will rise again" :) )
Thanks for the post
So true. Thank you for posting this heartwarming article!
America's promise has always been in the goodness of her people.
Thank you all for reading. :o)
ABSOLUTELY!
"Let God arise and his enemies be scattered."
Thanks!
It's good to see people doing good things too!
Bump!!!
"(Wow I just realized I haven't seen anyone post "The South will rise again" :) ) "
Honey, that goes without saying!
Very uplifting. Thank you for reminding me about my America's strength, courage, and doing the right thing. We will bounce back.
God bless,
Another well deserved bump. The tragedy in NO has brought out both the good and the bad in people. More folks need to be reminded of the good, because the bad has been SO bad.
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