Since 2011 our local government in conjunction with the members of Sonrise and other partners in our community have officially celebrated Honor Our Local Heroes in the month of September. Normally this celebration kicks off with a big Friday night tailgate party at Tiger Stadium in Ozark. Because of COVID-19, those plans have changed this year. Instead, there will be more but smaller demonstrations of our appreciation throughout the month.
More than ever we each one need to let our local heroes know how much we appreciate them as people, the work they do, and the sacrifices they make. Our voices need to be as one as we seek to speak louder than the dissenting voices all around our country who would choose to disparage, dismiss, or decry the good work of our local heroes. Instead, we recognize our local heroes as people who make life-and-death decisions in an instant. They follow their training and overwhelmingly get these decisions right. They serve and protect.
Every person in the United States benefits from the great work of these individuals who willingly serve us. Many of these individuals could choose to make much more money doing other things. However, they do not. Instead they strap on their uniforms and choose to run toward the danger instead of away from it. When everyone else flees, these brave individuals care, protect, and stand.
We were dreadfully reminded on September 11, 2001 how important each of these heroes are to us and our communities. On that infamous day for 2,977 people, life ended when 19 hijackers chose to use commercial planes to attack the United States and her people. More than 6,000 others were injured in those horrific acts. Since that day, over 33,000 police officers, firefighters, responders, and community members have been treated for injuries and sickness related to the 9/11 attacks. As well, in the days since September 11, 2001, over 1,400 rescue workers who responded to the scene in the days and months after the attacks have since died.[1]
We committed then that we would never forget. We will not.
The events of that day and the moments since helped us as a nation, as communities, and as individuals wake up to the daily sacrifice that local heroes make each and every day in selfless service to us. Every one of the heroes of 9/11 were local heroes as well. They served their community just as ours serve us.
Don’t think for one moment that the very public and oftentimes misreported events of the past few months will change our resolve. A few bad actors who are paid and trained to torch our communities, hurt our neighbors, and otherwise rip apart the good work of men and women all over the fruited plain only make our resolve stronger. Anywhere public servants have acted in a manner worthy of reproof, discipline, or prosecution, we join all good public servants in calling for full investigations and appropriate justice. However, never let or confuse a call for justice in individual instances to put any kind of mark, asterisk, or cloud over the nearly 80 million hours spent each year by first responders heroically serving our local communities.
Local Heroes
A hero or heroine is a real person who in the face of danger combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, bravery or strength – a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities – a person who, in the opinion of others, has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities and regarded as a role model.
Do you realize how many heroes live among us and provide safety and order for our community on a daily basis? We want to think of the many heroes in our community that serve every day to protect, keep us safe, and are there in emergency situations. As we do, we want to thank them for their incredible sacrifice.We want to think of the many heroes in our community that serve every day to protect, keep us safe, and are there in emergency situations. As we do, we want to thank them for their incredible sacrifice. Click To Tweet
Every community has these folks – some of whom it is their vocation, others who put in countless hours volunteering. Our community celebrates the heroes in the Ozark Police Department, the Ozark Fire Protection District, the Christian County Sheriff’s Department, the Christian County Ambulance District, the Christian County Emergency Services 9-1-1 Communications Center, and the Christian County officers of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
We say, “Thank You!”
To our local heroes, regardless of where you serve, how you serve, or how long you have served, we thank you.
Thank you for your sacrifice.
Thank you for your bravery.
Thank you for your investment.
Thank you for your kindness.
Thank you for your service.
Our communities are better because of you. We are better because of you.Our communities are better because of you. We are better because of you. We appreciate all the sacrifices you make daily. Click To Tweet
We appreciate all the sacrifices you make daily. You face death, survive on low salaries, work long hours, spend so much time away from your families, and move toward danger not away from danger. You risk your life so that we do not have to lose our lives.
Twenty-four hours each day, three hundred and sixty-five days each year, you are there. You answer when we need you. You are doing your job when we as individuals cry out for help.
We dial 911 when facing dangers of many sorts. You answer.
We are grateful.
