Peggy Noonan: Courage Under Fire

Opinion Journal ^ | 10/05/2001 | Peggy Noonan

[Pokey78]

Forgive me. I'm going to return to a story that has been well documented the past few weeks, and I ask your indulgence. So much has been happening, there are so many things to say, and yet my mind will not leave one thing: the firemen, and what they did.

[Pelham]

One picture that has stuck with me is a long row of fire trucks, somewhere near ground zero. They looked small, almost like toys. All were covered in dust. Some were smashed, some turned upside down, a few undamaged. My first thought was that someone must have towed them all to one spot and lined them up, there were so many of them. But now I'm sure they stood just where they had when the towers came down, waiting for their crews who would never return.

[RobFromGa]

Over the past ten years, I have travelled across the USA and the world and I regularly run into military personnel on planes, in airports, everywhere.

Almost without exception, when I find myself in a significant conversation with a current or retired serviceman, I tell them that I deeply appreciate their willingness to serve our country, that we owe them a debt of gratitude that they are bearing our common burden, and then I shake their hand warmly.

Almost 100% of the time they are very grateful for the recognition, and I have had many of them become visibly shaken by the conversation, sometimes to the point of almost tears (almost). It is just a random act of kindness to fellow Americans that makes you and them feel GREAT.

I have never been in the military, my father was though, and America would not be America without volunteer servicemen. I hope no one will take this the wrong way, I am not tooting my own horn, and I don't know why I started doing this , but it has shaped my world-view and I wanted to share it.

[reflecting]

bump

[McGavin999]

We still make men like that. We're still making their kind. Then that must be who we are.

This is the greatest gift of all. They reminded us of who we are, what we must strive to be. We must. If we are to be worthy of such sacrifice, we MUST.

[dixie sass]

They said that we had no heros left. I looked around and saw them on the trucks and in the cruisers and in the ambulances and in the emergency rooms and giving blood and pulling debris.

They were wrong, we do have heros, they are every man, woman and child who gave that day and every day there after.

Thank you Ms. Noonan.

[Roebucks]

A powerful story, extraordinarily written. A must read.

[Darlin']

Thanks for the ping. :) You're right, another fine one.

For to His angels He's given a command
to guard you in all of your ways;
upon their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand
---- On Eagle's Wings

[Badray]

Thanks for the post. It is, indeed, a keeper. I thought that reading some of Peggy Noonan would cheer me after reading about Chief and BCM. But instead, I found only more tears.

[StoneColdGOP]

Yep...

[FReethesheeples]

We salute our brave dead & pray for their families.

[xsmommy]

unbelievable. she is fantastic.

[hobbes1]

Thanx..Buddy. I love her.

[backhoe]

Americans will began to realize that, however skilled or entertaining they are, althetes, movie & TV stars, and rock stars are NOT heroes

Exactly. The real heroes in America are the ordinary people who live honorable lives and some times do extraordinary things.

America has been plagued for years with what I styled "the cult of celebrity," wherein people have been convinced that the sayings & doings & opinions of celebs was worth far more consideration than it ought to be given. I hope we'll leave that sorry chapter of recent history in the dust behind us...

[cgk]

If you read this, and tears don't well up in your eyes, check for a pulse BUMP...

[Carolinamom]

Beautiful tribute to honest-to-God heroes. Just heard the other day that the most popular costume for Halloween this year for little kids is the fireman's costume. Kids know what Noonan knows.....Real Heroes lived among us, and they will still live in our collective memory.

[Angelwood]

I'm glad I didn't miss this beautiful tribute. Thanks for the post.

[maica]

This needs to be bumped all day long.

[Axeslinger]

"Earn this"

[gridlock]

Adding a lot of bookmarks these days...

[FairWitness]

"If you read this, and tears don't well up in your eyes, check for a pulse."

This essay by Peggy is the most moving thing I have read about that day. Yes, there are tears in my eyes and my pulse is quickened.