In the USA this is the weekend to remember, thank, celebrate, and memorialize the men and woman of our armed forces, current and past. Many of us do this with family trips, barbecues, or just vegging out in front of the tube. Hey, it’s time off!

Many communities hold parades honoring the military and those who turn out are cheering them on. It really shows American values in a refreshingly old-fashioned way.

After 9/11 I began a tribute to the military, police, fire and paramedic personnel called “Thumbs Up, America.” The idea was simple, just give a thumbs up whenever you encounter any uniformed personnel. Sometimes they do a double take or they smile, some nod uncomfortably with the recognition. Some have no visible response. No matter, it feels really good to do it.

Recently an army sergeant was coming out of a bookstore hand in hand with a little girl. As we passed I gave him a thumbs up and said, “Your service is greatly appreciated.” He smiled and nodded but the look on his daughter’s face was priceless. Her eyes got big, she quickly looked to her dad, then back to me, then smiled proudly at him, skipping as they walked away. I bet my smile lasted longer.

Since 9/11 I’ve become especially sensitive when some sports writer refers to a basketball player as a “hero.” Or when someone applies the term to some non-heroic act. What a horrible misuse of this term.

We can easily salute all of these people, no matter what. And why not? Whether they put their lives on the line daily or just once in their careers, they are there to do just that. So, here’s the article I wrote. I’d love your thoughts through the comments section.

THUMBS UP, AMERICA!

By

Tom Justin

Today, someone took an oath to save your life and to protect you from harm. That happens every day, all over our country. They are the men and women who have chosen careers in the fire, police and rescue departments, and in the military.

Several years ago, we were riveted to the video taped police beating of Rodney King. The replay by the media, over and over and over again sickened us. It cast a pall over all police officers. Some people, in knee-jerk response to police departments, and especially toward the LAPD, cast them all in a mantle of brutality. Many officers reported citizens giving them a single finger salute, or calling out names as they rode or drove by.

Again and again we were confronted with images of cultural leaders condemning “the police” in these actions. Individuals came forward to an eager media to report anecdotes of brutality or abuse of power by various police agencies. Most of these were without evidence but not without video of their accusers, who in many cases, seeking moments of fame, as they made unproved allegations.

Obviously these things had to be, and must always be reported. The powers of police to take away our freedom for moments, hours or a lifetime are unique to any other authority. What got to me then, and to this day, was the abuse that we the people committed on the men and women of law enforcement for not standing up for the majority of them who do abide by the law–those who protect us while reviling in the activities of the few who besmirch the reputations of their profession.

I began to look at them and others in the business of protecting us with a different eye. I saw a Norman Rockwell painting of firemen at their fire station with a little boy admiring their red fire engine and their requisite Dalmatian dog. This was a lovely but simplistic image of their profession, inadequate to who and what these people are and do for us.

One day, on the streets of Los Angeles, I came upon a horrendous car crash just as paramedics and police were arriving. Traffic was blocked and I had no option but to witness the gut-wrenching activities to free the injured from the twisted, instant metal scrap heap. Gasoline was spreading around the police and fire officers as they attempted to rescue the occupants. Paramedics moved in with aid and stretchers, all without regard to the threats of their own lives from fire or explosion.

In moments, all of those people became heroes. Later, I neither saw nor heard about it in the media. Why? Well, no cameras were there for one thing. More importantly, this was not the uncommon. This is what these men and women frequently do–it’s what they knew they might have to do from the day they filled out their applications. Whether they are stuck at a desk, just out of the academy or in service for many years without performing a heroic act, they are all “heroes in waiting.” We seldom appreciate them enough for what they do until we are either the personal recipients of their actions or something horrific happens to instill our senses to the opposite, that of a few officers inflicting abuse on a suspect.

As I sat watching the horrible attacks on our nation September 11^th with my brother, an Army Chaplain, I recalled the first Gulf War. He was attached to an armored division stationed in Germany. There was little question that in a matter of days he would be shipping out with the troops, and would surely be close to the action. Immediately I flew to Frankfurt to spend as much time as I could with him before he left. I rode with him through the base, seeing the staging as young men and women suited up for combat, stacking their duffle bags and gear for deployment. I met many of them before I returned to the comfort of home. They were strong in their resolve to do what had to be done. They too were heroes in waiting, and they were afraid as all future heroes are. Their fear never took precedence over their actions, which became heroic by them simply being there.

As we band together as a nation resolved, perhaps as never before, isn’t it time we salute these men and women as directly as we can, every day? Why not give them our citizen’s salute. A THUMBS UP every time we see police, fire, rescue or military personnel. When they drive or walk by, we can continue with our day, but salute them in silence and respect for what they have volunteered for, for who they are and what they do. It’s a small personal gift we can give that costs us nothing and can give great satisfaction. Try it.

So, to all our heroes and heroes in waiting; Thumbs Up! From your fellow citizens and residents. We appreciate you.

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