Friday, March 29, 2024

We should remember the real heroes we lost

Posted

Ifound it very disheartening after viewing a recent 2019 IN MEMORIAM honoring people that NBC felt made significant contributions to our society.

I guess it’s a matter of perspective, but to me it appeared as the height of self-aggrandizement of mostly people in the media.

While I have been entertained over the years by some movies and TV shows, I wonder how significant they were to our society as opposed to those who made a profound impact that significantly changed our lives?

Those in the entertainment business are just that, entertainers. They may have made us feel good at times, but did they really make a positive contribution to our society or just a diversion from reality?

PERSPECTIVE

To put this in true perspective, how many policemen and firemen, who died in the line of duty in 2019, were honored by the media? Perhaps in their local communities but not nationally.

Let’s look at our federal employees.

How many men and women died in 2019 while keeping our society safe? I’m referring to FBI, Border Patrol, Customs, immigration officers, etc.

Most of the media honorees lived out their full lives while making tons of money during their lifetimes.

Contrast that with dying at a young age, earning a low salary and leaving young children and wives to fend for themselves.

Who do you think made a significant contribution to our society?

Our military soldiers are stationed all over the world, many in harm’s way. They don’t make us laugh, change our values or make a lot of money. Yet, there are thousands who were killed or severely maimed in 2019.

SCIENTISTS, INVENTORS?

What about scientists who expand our knowledge of our world and our universe? Think of the contributions made by inventors who enhance our lives. Think of those in the medical field such as researchers, physicians, nurses who prolong and provide quality in our lives.

These are the people who should be honored upon their passing each year IN MEMORIAM by the media.

Have a good day.

Lou Hendrickx is retired from the CIA. He and his wife Patricia live in Granbury.