To be frank, humans continually confuse me, especially when it comes to respecting our first responders. I, for one, carry and exude the utmost respect for local law enforcement, firefighters and every single first responding entity. Apparently, I am not in the majority.
On a recent afternoon, my human and I were traversing home via Palm Boulevard when we happened to hear a multitude of sirens approaching behind our vehicle. Ever the dutiful civil servant, my human pulled over and off to the right, obediently hugging the shoulder of the road. While we waited for the approaching fire truck to pass us, no less than three vehicles zoomed around our pulled-over selves and continued about their ways. Dear reader, I was stunned, nay, flabbergasted at this unfortunate development.
While the fire engine did manage to proceed around us and ultimately navigated the boulevard to arrive at the scene of the tragedy at hand, I feel compelled to mention the irresponsible nature of those ill-mannered citizens that impeded their travel thereto.
Let us not forget that on Sept. 11, 2001, hundreds of firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel selflessly ran toward extreme danger to save lives, regardless of the impact to their own safety.
In the spirit of true patriotism, the day after the attacks brought an unprecedented wave of nationwide and global solidarity, turning grief into collective action, volunteerism and mutual support. Sept. 11 is now officially recognized in the United States as Patriot Day or National Day of Service and Remembrance, encouraging people to honor victims through charitable acts and community building. Could we all please agree that pulling over for first responders is the least of those aforementioned duties?
Consider this: what if you or a loved one were in crisis? What if you, heaven forbid, found yourself in dire straits and in need of first responder assistance? Would you hope your fellow citizens would feel compelled to yield the right of way to the emergency crews coming to your aid? Of course you would!
Not only do we need to pull over when we happen upon emergency vehicles approaching, but also, we need to show love and support for the first responders that keep us safe on a daily basis.
Perhaps we could also show love and support to the valiant first responders of 9/11 by honoring their ultimate sacrifice and remembering the 343 firefighters and 71 law enforcement officers who were lost that day on their way to rescue and recover victims.
Twenty-five years later, 9/11 is more than a memory. It remains in our hearts and in our minds as a solemn reminder of human resilience, the fragile nature of life and the unmistakable courage of our first responders. Certainly, when we consider all that has been lost, and more importantly all of the potential goodness that is to come, we can pull over for our everyday heroes who are merely trying to do their jobs. Never forget.
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