This Sunday is not just a regular Sunday. No, it is a day we all need to take time to remember and say some extra prayers in church or at home.
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Fifteen years ago, terrorists stunned our country when they brought down the World Trade Center towers in New York City by flying two planes into them, plus crashing two other planes to create more destruction and fear into all of us. It still resounds as the most horrific attack on our shores, wiping out almost 3,000 innocent people and creating voids in many families that have never been filled.
The reaction to the devastating scene by firefighters and law enforcement in New York and across the nation was so amazing — so American — that it silently showed every other nation and the terrorists that America may bend, but it won’t break.
Then there was the plane that went down in a field in Pennsylvania, when crew and passengers overpowered the terrorists, knowing that their lives were over, and kept that plane from hitting its target. Each time this date comes around, I go on the internet and watch the video of that day, not to be morbid, but as a constant reminder of what and who America is. I revisit the bravery of the firefighters and police officers who put the lives of others before their own, the medical personnel who worked tirelessly to assist the injured, even the many groups who set up places to eat and rest for the men and women refusing to leave while there was any hope of survivors.
Firefighters and police from every state converged on New York to help dig and dig and dig to find victims buried in the rubble and never quit looking for survivors until there was no longer hope. And through it all, the flag waved proudly to let others know we are the United States.
So please take a few minutes Sunday and say a prayer for the men and women who are here to serve and save any time on any day, and when you see someone in a uniform in the store, restaurant or on the street, just say thanks as you pass by. First responders, you are taken for granted but save lives every day. Thank you and God bless you always.
We have our heads in the clouds if we think that our county doesn’t have a serious drug abuse problem. Maybe you think it’s not anything to do with you, so you really don’t care. But the effects of drug and alcohol abuse can be far-reaching and becomes everyone’s problem.
That is why members of the First United Methodist Church groups Rays of Hope and United Methodist Women are inviting the whole county to come and learn and help be a part of the solution.
At 7 p.m. Sept. 21, there will be a live panel discussion entitled “Substance Abuse in Porter County” at First United Methodist Church, 103 Franklin St., Valparaiso. It is their hope that the discussion will bring personal awareness to the very real concern of alcohol and drug abuse in our county.
The panelists for this most necessary discussion are Valparaiso Community School Superintendent Ric Frataccia; Sheriff Dave Reynolds; Todd Willis, director of Porter Starke prevention and education; Porter County health officer Dr. Maria Stamp; addiction and recovery counselor Tracy Traut; attorney and Respite House President Mitch Peters; Porter County sheriff’s department chaplain the Rev. Jay Birky; and the moderator for the discussion, Lani Fisher, executive assistant at the church.
Obviously the sponsors chose the panel wisely, as all of these men and women have so much knowledge on the subject and want to share it with us. If we’re wise, we’ll be there.
Just another time our young people deserve accolades and high-fives as they help fight the alcohol abuse problem. Recently, a group of Valparaiso High School students led by Sydney Evans, with the guidance of Coroner Chuck Harris (who sees the results of abuse too often), placed stickers on all the beer and wine cartons in the grocery store with the message “Think twice — providing alcohol to minors is illegal.”
Their intent was to make the warning loud and clear to adults that serving minors alcohol anywhere, even in their own homes, has harsh consequences — like prison. And being responsible for some young person reacting with severe illness to alcohol, or driving after drinking with sad results, is not what any adult expects.
By students being involved in such a smart and valuable project, those words will hopefully have an impact to keep adults from the foolishness of thinking it’s OK just this once, or trying to be the “cool” parents. Dire consequences can follow. Sydney and friends, you are my pet persons of the week for advertising this message loud and clear.
Enjoy the Popcorn Fest, and I hope you have a great day because you deserve it. Thanks for reading. Fly your flag.
Lorrie Woycik is a freelance columnist for the Post-Tribune.