Mailing address:
January 12, 2002 |
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Stephen Pape |
Email: Speak to me. |
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Over the Christmas holiday, one of the news items that tugged at each of our hearts was the little boy that was lost at Possum Kingdom Lake. Beginning on Sunday, two days before Christmas, each local newscast began with a report of the little six year old boy that was lost. Though it was later found that he had lost his life by falling into the lake, for a couple of days no one knew where he was and whether he was alive. With the frigid nights, it was known by all that an attempt to locate and save the boy had to be made. This attempt was made by hundreds of complete strangers with the common goal of averting a tragedy if it had not already occurred.
Many of us joined the effort by offering a prayer for the boy and his family but when former Fire Chief (and current councilman) Mike Burgett heard the news, he knew he just had to go and help. So he packed up his truck and was off. Mike's background in helping people extends well beyond just a job he once had. For him it is a way of life. He arrived in time to head up a search team and spend the next two days searching through heavy brush.
Mike is indeed a local hero for his selfless actions. Glenn Heights' is fortunate to have a local leader, father, example, that had the desire to help this boy and his family; people he did not even know. I am proud to call Mike a friend.
However, the story doesn't end with Mike. While searching, Mike reports that he ran into Keith Clements, another Glenn Heights' Councilman, and his search dog who also had put aside his hectic Christmas schedule to try to find and save this young boy. Keith also has a background of helping people and he has a soft heart that led him to do what he could to help. While the loss of life was the end result, had this young child not fallen into the lake hours before the initial search began, I am confident that Keith, Mike and the hundreds of other volunteers would have found and saved him.
It is a real comfort to witness the kindness of people that will reach out to complete strangers. Another Council person, Pamela Anderson reached out in another way over the holidays by personally collecting over 80 gifts and delivering them to the children of 33 less fortunate families in Glenn Heights. She went the extra mile by seeking out these people, seeking out donors, and reaching deep in her own pockets to make up the difference in the need and the donations.
Pamela, Keith, and Mike all did what good leaders should do. What we need is more like them! None of them asked for any type of recognition for their deeds. For that very reason, I am proud to recognize them all and to congratulate Glenn Heights for having three great leaders.
May they be an example to us all.
Stephen
If you want to have a good neighbor you must be a good neighbor.