I love stories like this where average citizens take it upon themselves to help a stranger. I worry, though, that people are becoming less and less inclined to stop videoing the incident to step up and respond in an emergency. You don’t need to be a doctor, nurse, firefighter or police officer to try and help someone in trouble.
I heard this story on the radio the other day, and thought of this thread:
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/17/nx-s1-5328518/unsung-hero-firefighter-life-saved
I particularly loved this quote:
The note read, “For firefighter and special friend Eddie, who saved my life. John 15:13, ‘Greater love has no one than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.’”
Think about this. Amazing and tragic.
“Earp told the outlet that Ferguson carried his 15-year-old son through the fire in Chandler to a street. The pair were then found by rescuers before being taken via ambulance to the hospital.”
This story is currently at the top of our local paper’s homepage.
A community member saw a 78-year old woman trying to patch her roof and left her a note saying that he would be happy to help. Turns out the roof had been leaking whenever it rained, the outdoor siding was down to the insulation in parts, and she hadn’t had air conditioning for more than a decade. (How anyone could live in southern Louisiana without a/c is beyond me.) When the neighbor realized how bad things were he got the community involved and a contractor and tradespeople are donating their services to build her a new house (and they gave her a 2012 car so she could get around more easily). Happy to see good news, and good news as a big headline, too.
How have I not read this thread before?! What a fantastic idea to start and continue it. I loved reading!
Tragically, sometimes heroes don’t survive. Communities suffer when the helpers can no longer be there for the next person in need.
After 20 years of service in the navy,
“He made his last heroic act on his 43rd birthday,” Boan said. “This is the definition of hero. He jumped in the water and ultimately lost his life trying to save someone he never met.”
All the feels. Though I feel particularly terrible for his family who was there with him.
One of the 1st things we were taught in my water safety class to become a lifeguard is never jump into the water if it will endanger yourself. Use other tools to reach the struggling swimmer—a rope, towel, float, jacket, etc and tow the struggling swimmer. I learned in that class I am NOT a strong enough swimmer to rescue a burly struggling swimmer, but I can throw an assistive device and help them. If I attempt to rescue, I would unfortunately add to the problem instead of the solution.
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