Heroes among us

by: J. A. Colon

Someone said that society is made of 98% sheep and one percent wolves. I agree with him. Most of society is just happy to be lead by the nose without ever thinking what dangers are around the corner. As a defense mechanism, we tend to block away bad news, we tend to belief that bad news happen to everybody else, but when they happen to us, we can not believe it. And the sheep are scared of the wolves. Oh, how they tremble when they hear the howling. There is a chilling feeling that starts on the base of the skull and goes down the spine when we hear the pack and realize that they are getting closer.

Oh, wait. That wise man said that society was 98% sheep and 1% wolves. That makes 99%. We are missing something.

Did you notice in the video of New York City on September 11, 2001 how almost everybody was running away from the World Trade Center? Did you noticed, how scared everyone was? But did you notice that there were some who were going against the sea of people running toward the falling towers? What was wrong with them?

Let’s see, it is easy to realize who the sheep were. And no, I am not putting them down. Fear is normal and healthy. It keeps us alive, and we have to consider that if you die, who will care for your children and the elderly? It is important that you survive. There is nothing wrong with the thousands who rushed to safety.

What about the terrorist that commandeer the planes and killed so many of our friends and families? Those are the wolves that feed on fear and death. Those are the ones who kill indiscriminately under the pretense of reasons that many can relate to. Under the guise of religion, of social justice, of righteousness, they hurt, maim and kill the innocent sheep that goes about their business not expecting the calamities around the corner.

In almost every disaster, there are those who rush toward ground zero. It is not that they are not afraid. It is not that they are insane. It is not that there is faulty wiring in their brains. On the contrary, their wiring is done correctly. Those are the sheep dogs who, misunderstood by the sheep, risk their lives to protect the defenseless. Those are the firefighters and police officers who rushed the stairwells of the World Trade Center to rescue the remainder of people trapped inside. Those are the likes of the female security officer who at the New Life Church in Colorado rushed the shooter even though she was outgunned. They are the police officers like the one in the Utah mall that while attempting to have dinner with his significant other, heard shots fired and immediately rushed the assailant saving countless lives.

I am a Soldier. I am one of those sheep dogs. The sheep fear those who are charged with their protection. There are some in the community who fear and even hate the sheep dogs. Look at the protesters in California who “camp in front of the Marines Recruiting Station” just because they do not like them. Or how about those Hollywood activists who defend, praise, and idolize the likes of Mumia who, in cold blood, killed a courageous police officer. They go as far as allowing him to have his own talk show and reap the benefits of writing a book.

But, how about the crooked cops, or, the psychopathic Soldier? Those were never sheep dogs. Those were wolves in disguise. And for every one of those, thousand more serve their cause with honor and courage.

Like my beloved wife likes to remind me, “ignorance is bliss”. We can only hope that more sheep wake up and realize that those Law Enforcement Agents, CIA men and women, those in the Military, or the Border Patrol Officers, they get up every morning and put on a uniform and go out risking their life’s to protect the innocent or the defenseless. They do it because is the right thing to do. They show uncommon valor and honor in their service. And when one of them falls, is like we lost a brother or a sister.

Let’s render honor to my brothers and sisters in arms, whether they are police officers, or firefighters; military, or security, Border Patrol, or DEA. All of them are there to serve and protect. You might never know how it feels to get up in the morning and while getting dress come to the understanding that you might not come home again, or be crippled in the pursuant of your duties.

Brothers and sisters, I salute you.