Rallying Around Community Heroes

As a newspaper reporter for 30-some years, I made a point of separating myself from the things I covered. Now, as a somewhat retired freelance writer, I feel less constrained. And I have to say, it felt pretty good to be a small part of a big team of volunteers. It was uplifting to join a wide range of folks, young and old, taking time from busy or not-so-busy days. We were embracing the city’s small-town feel, remembering the most horrific day in my 58 years, and honoring heroes who gave their lives—and neighbors who are risking theirs daily—to keep us safe.

In Mason they call it simply, “Mason Cares.” It has been an annual event since Sept. 11, 2002. The American Legion puts up flags along the streets surrounding the county courthouse and leading to the police and fire departments. Yellow ribbons are tied around streetlights.

About 150 people come out each year, for an hour or an afternoon. They do what they are asked, or what they can. Some scrubbed, some vacuumed, some washed, some swept. Many of my Tower 808 teammates had disabilities. They were a bit overwhelmed, but were overwhelmingly excited about the prospect of cleaning the giant red rig.

Dustin Lundy, a 23-year-old man who is out of work, was walking to the library when he noticed the commotion. He asked if he could help. On his way back home from the library, he stopped and pitched in, cleaning the seats of a fire truck.

Inside a fire station conference room, Tom Cooper, 73, and a half-dozen other senior citizens sorted materials for 15,000 packets of fire-safety material that will be distributed in schools throughout the year. “It’s a community event. It’s something we can do to help,” he said.

Larry Howe, 78, has three sons who are firefighters. He brought his great-grandson to the station for the event.

Colleen Briggs, who works at Mason’s Dart Bank, has been the chief organizer and chief cheerleader for the project from the beginning. On Friday, she played traffic cop, getting people where they needed to go.

There aren’t many communities in our area that organized volunteer activities tied to Sept. 11. Colleen completely supports President Barack Obama’s effort to make the anniversary of the terrorist attacks a national day of service, as well as a remembrance.

“I had somebody tell me this year, it’s time to get over it,” she told me. “I was so floored, I didn’t even have a response to it.”

Chris Andrews lives in Okemos, Mich.