There were heroes long before we had medals. Before we knew about the lasting ill-effects of a life of always putting someone else first. Before we’d worked out a set of forms needed to really be a hero.
That’s right. We’ve taken the most selfless act a person can perform – putting one’s own life on the line for others – and turned it into some sort of red-tape obstacle course. You saved 80 people? Sounds heroic… but did you fill out Form 5-A?
Dorie Pearlman remains unable to get benefits from the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits fund, despite her son’s heroic efforts as a first responder during the 9/11 attacks. She’s waited 10 years and submitted 69 pieces of evidence showing that her son, Richard, should be eligible for the benefits, but the Department of Justice says it’s still not enough.
Since when does it matter if the person who pulls a baby out of a burning building has a badge? That person is still a hero. Quite frankly, we don’t care if you’re not associated with any organization whatsoever. If you’re willing to run into a clearly dangerous situation just for the slim chance you might – might – be able to help someone else get out, you’re a hero.
The official designation of the hero is even less important when faced with tragedy. Particularly one so shocking and heinous as the attacks on 9/11.
Furthermore, in this particular case, the police gave him a ride to the scene. They didn’t say, “this is too dangerous for you, you need to leave.” They said, “Hop on in, we’ll take you there!” Sounds like he did exactly what the city asked of him, if you ask us.
And yet still, his mother cannot get the aid and benefits she deserves.
Technically, nothing illegal is happening here. The Department of Justice is following the letter of the law. Problem is, it’s completely ignoring the law’s intent.
The point was to take care of our first responders.
To make sure that people knew, even if they did make the ultimate sacrifice while
trying to save others, that it would not go unnoticed. Their families would be taken care of. Their sacrifice would be truly appreciated by their government.
If laws are no longer adequate, they need to be changed. Not to make a greater point, not to pump up a campaign, but because there is a wrong that needs to be righted. Democracy can only thrive if it grows and changes with its people.
The point here is that this young man did the right thing. He tried to help others. And now he’s dead.
That’s the thing. Knowing that your loved one died trying to save someone else, however noble, doesn’t ease the pain of their loss.
The least we, as a country, can do is to take care of the families of our heroes.
Richard Pearlman fought to save others. Right up until his dieing breath. The very least we can do is look after his mother.
If we continue down this path of greed and thanklessness, there will come a point when first responders stop responding. They’ll have to, because they’ll be too afraid of the financial ruin their loss could cause their families.
First responders are fully aware of the danger they’re running into. They know they could die. They know there’s a shot that, if they remain first responders long enough, they will die, or ensue serious injury. But they do it anyway. Because, for them, it’s the right thing to do. We don’t need any paperwork to confirm that.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll surely say it again. America is supposed to be different, better, than other countries. In large part because its citizens make an honest attempt to do the right thing. Or because we used to.
Times are hard. There’s no money for anything. But what sets us apart as a nation is our ability to say that it doesn’t matter if the money is available or not – some things simply have to be funded, because it’s the right thing to do.
It’s not so hard. In a good economy it’s a no brainer. Do the right thing. Look after your neighbors. Take care of people who try to help others. When the money runs out, these things shouldn’t change. Maybe we should build slower. Maybe we need to spend less money on big businesses, and more on people.
Maybe, just maybe, this is a wake-up call from the universe. Remember what made this country great. Take care of your own – and remember that your own isn’t just your family. It’s your community, your first responders, the elderly, even that nasty cashier who glares at you every single time you’re in the store. These are your people. This is our America. And this is the time to start acting like it.
We don’t know who we need to implore here. But someone needs to look at what’s
happened here and stand up for how wrong it is. Someone needs to help this mother get her due – we owe her son that much.
This man selflessly, without a thought for his own well-being, ran into a doomed building. And for what? For you. For me. For all of us.
He risked everything for the chance – just the chance – that he would be able to save someone.
It’s time and past time we follow his example. The difference is, we don’t even have to run into danger to do it. We don’t have to risk a damn thing.
