As we approached the anniversary of September 11, a friend called me to tell me about a first responders ceremony ahead of the date.Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 along with Woodstock Harley-Davidson's Frank Duggan planned a ceremony to honor those who run in when the rest of us feel the urge to run away. They honored the men and women who rush to our sides, who hold our hands, who talk us through the darkest of hours, who leave their homes knowing their jobs require them to put us before them -- or their families. They are heroes. They are first responders.
I think this message is especially poignant around September 11, when we remember the heroes who saved so many only to lose their own or lived with the effects of that day forever written on their hearts. We are reminded of not only the bravery of these first responders, but also the sacrifices that often has far-reaching effects.
I write quite a bit about military veterans and the visible and invisible wounds of war, however first responders live with their own visible and invisible wounds. They see the things many of us never want to think about.
It is our first responders who see us in our most desperate times. But are we there for them in theirs? I have so many friends who serve as first responders. As we as a community learn more about the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder in our first responders, I hope and pray that these men and women, men and women who are real-life superheroes, are given the help they need and deserve and are able to seek that help without fear. We need to take care of those who take care of us.
Firefighters, police officers, paramedics, ER doctors and nurses, dispatchers -- they are the men and women we call on when we need help. And they are so often so very unappreciated.
Thank you, first responders, for everything you do. You are seen. You are respected. You are appreciated. Thank you.
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| Retired U.S. Army Col. Wayne Kirkpatrick and part of Rolling Thunder Illinois Chapter 2 addressed the crowd on Sunday morning. |
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| Part-owner Doug Jackson, Woodstock Harley-Davidson, thanks those who serve as first responders. |
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| Woodstock Fire Rescue Department Bell Silencer Lt. Matt Hedges and Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Mains rings the bell in memory of those lives lost in service and as a result of their service. |
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| An unofficial ride from WHD to another first responder ceremony. |
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| Woodstock Fire/Rescue Department leading the unofficial ride. |
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| I loved the flags on David Blair's bike. |
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| Owner Doug Jackson is always there to support a multitude of causes. And he was going to ride in support of first responders despite the rain. |
