EDITORIAL: Heroes at home, too

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN DON RATZLAFF
It seems appropriate for our city to hold a gathering of remembrance here Sept. 11 to mark the one-year anniversary of the terrible attack on New York City and Washington, D.C. Yes, the carnage occurred many miles from this place, but we, like all Americans, have been enveloped by the emotional and economic ripple of that event even here.

More than that, we who live in the relatively safe environs of rural Kansas are never more than one horrible moment away from tragedy ourselves. Our towns may not be prime targets of publicity-seeking terrorists, but our local disasters differ only in scope-and who knows what lies ahead even in that sense.

For that reason, we affirm the decision of those organizing our local Sept. 11 event to focus as well on the contributions of the first responders in our own community-police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians. With every 911 call, they place their lives on the line as surely as did their comrades in New York City and the nation’s capital. And our firefighters and EMTs do it as volunteers.

We understand the EMTs are short on volunteers right now. Classes are beginning soon. Perhaps the greatest act of remembrance for Sept. 11 would be for more of us to step forward and be counted among the heroes. -DR

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