LIFE BEHIND THE BADGE: Heroes in the Storm

Right now I sit here in my warm house on a sunny Nevada day thinking of those that are facing the biggest storm of their lives.  Do I feel guilty that I live in a place where the worst thing that can happen here are earthquakes and forest fires while all these innocent people are in the path of great destruction and mayhem?  I can’t express the number of prayers I have said for family that are out that way and for friends who are doing a job that will surely put them in harms way.

Our first responders, just like all other tragedies, are on the front lines.  They don’t have the option to stay with their families and hunker down with warm blankets and a storm radio.  Their choice is to make sure that their families are safe enough without them and then they are off to make sure the rest of the population is safe.

With the rain and wind pouring down on them, they risk their lives for strangers.  They put themselves out to make sure that they can bring people in to safety.  It doesn’t matter what sort of uniform they wear or how many stripes they have, they are all heroes in my eyes.  These sorts of people don’t worry about their own safety as much as they worry about those around them.  They were born to be of service to their countrymen and this is their calling.  They do it proudly and with no grumbling.  Their mission is clear and they will carry it out to the best of their ability.

So stay safe out there and know that the rest of the country is keeping you in their thoughts and prayers.  Be proud of what you are doing and even this storm will pass.  It will be but a distant memory but the good you will do will surpass even the greatest waves.

Kristen Wallitner has been in love and married to her LEO husband for 16 years and they have 2 children, ages 8 and 5.  They do a lot of hiking and outdoor things as a family.  Kristen is also very interested in running, gardening, writing, and cooking, studying her Bible, and spending time with family.