Reflections on the fire, important dates coming up

What a week! Well, when I speculated about Loyal responding to a crisis situation in last week’s column, I certainly wasn’t inviting the situation we were confronted with last week. Little did I know what was right around the corner. It’s one of those unexpected, freak incidents that could have happen anywhere.

It’s sad to see a section of Loyal’s downtown lost, as it will never look the same again. From a historical standpoint, it’s an abrupt end to the history of those buildings. And for the businesses affected, it’s painful to say the least. I can’t imagine pouring your heart and soul into something only to watch it go up into flames. I also feel for the families that are starting over from square one. I’m sure they all lost some treasures that can’t be replaced. That being said, people can’t be replaced. I’m glad no one was hurt or worse.

I am also glad for the way everyone came together to help, and continues to help. As others have said and I share the sentiment, it makes me proud to live where I do. It’s important to highlight all the good that’s happening despite an awful situation. The acts of kindness and compassion have not gone unnoticed. All of the kindness is truly something special to see and it’s one of the neat things about living in a small town like Loyal or any of the other small towns around here that have reached out to help.

From a reporter’s standpoint, the fire was the most memorable event I’ve covered to date, potentially a once in a lifetime event (one would hope). Sure, I’ve visited places after a tornado went through and destroyed buildings, but that was after the fact. This was different in that I was on the scene as it was happening, and it just kept going on and on.

A good number of people came to watch the fire, from a safe distance. After all, it was their community, their town. There were a number of jaw-dropping moments when the fire would spread to a new area or flare up to new heights. There’s not a lot that can be said at that point. It looked like something out of a movie and was just shocking.

Probably the things that will stand out most in my memory are all the sensory details: the waves of heat coming off the fire contrasting sharply with the cool evening; the thick cloud of smoke that descended on Main Street, blocking my vision more than a few feet and giving me an instant headache (don’t worry; I moved farther away at that point); the potent smell of smoke lingering on my clothes and hair; the hugs exchanged between first responders and victims when there were no words to make it all better; the tired look in firefighters’ eyes the next morning after giving all they had to give; and the sun rising on the charred piles of rubble – a hopeful symbol, showing no matter how painful the night, the sun will rise on a new day.

Thank you to the firefighters, EMTs, police and anyone else who helped out. Especially when dealing with a situation of that magnitude that lasts so long, the fatigue sets in. It takes endurance and bravery to do what you do. Thanks to all who have donated or helped in big ways or small. As someone on Facebook first applied it to the situation, “We rise from the ashes.” That phrase certainly fits. The community will no doubt come out of this stronger as we all stick together.

- I’m running out of steam here, so to conclude this column, here are some upcoming holidays and observances that are noteworthy, courtesy of NationalToday. com.

–POW/MIARecognitionDayisobserved on the third Friday of September, on Sept. 20 this year, to recommit to full accountability to the families of the more than 80,000 veterans captured or still missing from wars that the United States has participated in. According to accounts, during the first ceremony of POW/MIA Day at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., fighter airplanes from the military base in Virginia flew in the “missing man formation” in their honor.

POW stands for prisoner of war and MIA stands for missing in action. The day was first observed in 1979 after Congress and the president passed a resolution to make it official following the demands of the families of 2,500 Vietnam War POW/MIAs who asked for accountability in finding their loved ones. Recognition Day continues to be mostly associated with service members who were prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. The POW/MIA flag, adopted in 1972, features white lettering and a silhouette on a black background. It reads, “You are not forgotten.” Civilians are welcome to fly the POW/MIAinremembranceofthose Americans who are unaccounted for and haven’t come home. – This Saturday, Sept. 21, is the International Day of Peace. In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly declared the third Tuesday of September as International Day of Peace. This day coincided with the opening day of the annual sessions of the General Assembly. The purpose of the day was, and still remains, to strengthen the ideals of peace around the world.

Two decades after establishing this day of observance, in 2001, the assembly moved the date to be observed annually on Sept. 21. So, beginning in 2002, Sept. 21 marks not only a time to discuss how to promote and maintain peace among all peoples but also a 24-hour period of global ceasefire and non-violence for groups in active combat.

The International Day of Peace is a great opportunity to resolve to live at peace with your fellow human beings, as much as it depends upon you, and to cultivate a culture of peace through prayer, advocacy and seeking to understand others, regardless of how different they may seem.

The Highground Veterans Memorial Park is holding a Day of Peace Community Event on Saturday. Contact the park at 715-743-4224 for more information.