By Jack “Alex” White III, columnist ~ “Small towns, big potential”
This special column is dedicated to Dominic “Nick” Winum and all of our brave first responders
There’s a funny thing about living in a nice place like Page County — all of us get to enjoy the benefits, while precious few sacrifice in the ways that make it possible in the first place.
More often than not, those sacrifices are made by our first responders — people who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe from medical maladies, fire and crime. Many do so voluntarily, and those who are paid do not get nearly enough to compensate for their service.
We saw that firsthand last week, when a man laid down his life for the community he loved. It was a sublime reflection of John 15:13: “There is no greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” If grief is any clue, then there is no one who did not count him as a friend.
The Good Book also tells us that, “You will know them by their fruits.” He leaves behind a legacy of love and respect — buttressed by a strong family which stands as a monument to his character.
Most importantly, his legacy is that of every first responder — a willingness to sacrifice their lives so that we can enjoy a lifestyle that we far-too-often take for granted. They do so without any desire for recognition, and many never receive it. Worse yet, some face outright disrespect.
While they give everything, we are only asked to do a pittance in return — pulling over for flashing lights and enduring the occasional siren. Thanks to those first responders, our families don’t have to live through the profound pain that their families experience every single day.
In this time of grief, I hope that the next siren moves us to gratitude. We can’t all sacrifice everything, but we should all sacrifice something in order to thank our first responders.
You can start with this GoFundme, and I hope that you won’t stop there.
After all, there is no greater love than that!
•••
Jack “Alex” White III is the Executive Director of the Rural Leadership Initiative and the District 1 Representative on the Page County Economic Development Authority — where he was reported to have been “Virginia’s youngest government official” at the time of his appointment.
Alex is a lifelong native of Page County and graduate of Luray High School.
•••
PREVIOUS COLUMNS ~ “Small towns, big potential”
Time to stand up for ‘the little guy’
Open ‘thank you’ letter upon receiving Rural Spirit Award
Local government matters (now more than ever)
Rural Leadership Initiative announces first class of fully-funded students
As Luray makes headlines, Darryl Haley makes history
Thanking our county for an opportunity (and a lesson)
I’m still proud of Luray; here’s what that really means
State creates new way to benefit from solar panels
FOLLOW-UP on Telehealth: A ‘shot in the arm’ for places like us
Small towns, big potential: What can we do?
Every time I see the hate the police crowd screaming about law enforcement, I invite them to put their lives on the line and grab a vest and find out what this is really all about. God bless this family and never let us forget this man was willing to put his life on the line to protect us. There are no bigger hero’s than our law enforcement members.
I don’t think anyone in this community well lay head to pillow without a prayer for officer Winum and his family and the officers who served with him. It’s a hard blow to our community..