Today was Martin Luther King day and there was a big push to go out and provide service (http://mlkday.gov). Sure, lots of people can go out and do some token service on a federal holiday like our President and Vice-President Elect, but where are the real stories of real service and sacrifice that truly make a difference?
Take a few minutes and read this article about Susan Porcello, an NYPD officer, and Gaspar Musso, a WWII Marine. Porcello responded to a 911 call by Musso back in July when he accidentally overdosed on prescription medicationss. She noticed he served in the Marines and in the course of conversation found out he had no family and no friends and very meager resources. She accompanied him to the hospital but decided that someone who served his country deserved better than to be so alone so late in life. More than that, she did something herself about it from that day on.
Anything I write isn’t going to convey what Porcello did for this man, so go read the article. Acts of service like this are what deserve to be reported by the mainstream media, not a couple hours of photo-op service some politician had an intern schedule for him or her.
Officer Porcello has upped the ante. She is setting the example for the kind of service that American citizens need to be offering not just on Martin Luther King Day, but everyday.
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3 comments:
I find it interesting that you don't view what our Presidents (or any elected officials for that matter) do as service. Yes, it's also their job, but it is also a soldier's job to fight wars and a fireman's job to run into a burning building.
Presidents do sacrifice, they give up any semblance of privacy, and in many ways they give up their freedom as well. A President cannot simple walk out of his house and go for a walk, he can't go to the mall or the movies.
So when a President (or President elect as the case was) does some "token service", it is not his service that day that counts, it is a reflection of their understanding of the importance of the service others are providing everyday. It is not a "token day service", it is another day of service in a long string of days in service.
I never said that I don't consider their jobs to be service in some ways. Lots of people have jobs that would qualify as service.
What I take issue with is their going out and doing two or three hours of service with a huge following of press and aides for what is generally a publicity gaining event.
Media is more than welcome to talk about how such elected officials sacrifice to serve the country. And I wouldn't have any beef with it. But instead, they choose to talk about them painting for a couple hours and champion that as service.
What I am saying is that perhaps it would be better to show some stories of real service, not token publicity stunts.
Thanks son, I enjoyed your article and I really enjoyed the article on the NYPD officer.
JRHutch has a good point. It is a sacrifice for a President and Vice-President to serve, eventhough they are paid for their service. I understand that with their schedules, trying to set an example of service is the best they can do. Certainly President Jimmy Carter (and I am not a big fan of his administration) sets an excellent example of service with all that he has done since leaving the office of president.
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