This space is usually light hearted and I have a good time poking fun at the obvious blunders of those among and around us. This time it is different. Hope it is not too much of a downer.
This last couple of months if you turned on your internet feed or television there was some moronic act of random violence. More than normal, whatever normal is. This month it hit close to our home here in Las Vegas, and it calls our attention to how the actions of a couple of crazy people can totally disrupt the lives of so many and end the lives of a few.
I am refereeing to the horrendous acts committed by those that will always be un-named as they killed two Metro Officers and a civilian. A courageous man that intervened in behalf of others.Three brave men died un-necessarily that day and will be mourned and remembered. The cowards were killed and will not be missed.
The two officers and civilian all deserve to be called heroes. Officers Alyn Beck, Igor Soldo took the oath to serve and protect, and that they did. On that day they only wanted to have a peaceful lunch. It was not to be. have a peaceful lunch. It was not to be.
Civilian Joseph Wilcox went to Wal-Mart to shop. It was not to be. He chose to risk his life in the protection of others.
The loss of these three brave men is sad enough on its own. However it becomes harder to deal with as we realize that countless lives are lost to violence every day. Until it hits close to home we all are so used to it that it has somehow become OK.
IT IS NOT OK! IT WILL NEVER BE OK.
I don’t pretend to have an answer for the problems that we currently face but I do know that our vigilance and compassion for others will go far in building the sense of community that can start to move us towards a solution.
Those of you that know me well know I am often a harsh critic of government overreach. Our rights and freedoms have been under attack. This situation brings up discussions of Second Amendment rights. Greater minds than mine have voiced opinions on both sides of the issue and I don’t know what the answer is. I do know that too many crazies have guns and all that separates us from them are the kind of hero’s that just gave their lives. We can all be more heroic as we go forward and watch each other’s backs and keep an eye out for those that would do others harm.
On a personal note my wife Leisa lost her father Ronald Cromar on June 11th. Ron was a great guy that never hurt a sole and had nothing but good things to say to and about people. He was loyal to a fault and set the bar for being a great husband way too high. He left his keen sense of humor and love for all creatures great and small imprinted on my wife’s brain. Ron was loved by many and will be missed by all that knew him.
Better times ahead.