WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

It’s 2 in the morning. You hear a noise. Someone is trying to break open the sliding glass doors in your bedroom. Your hands are cold as ice, your heart is pounding in your chest, and you can taste the fear on your lips. What is your first reaction?

Call the Police!

 Your elderly mother has fallen. She’s unconscious and bleeding from the mouth. This woman who means the world to you is seriously hurt. What do you do?

Call for an ambulance.

 You wake to the smell of smoke. Your children and pets are your first concern. You wake them and get them out of the house. Your husband was working in the study and he hasn’t come out. Flames are shooting from the windows and roof. Who will go in to save your husband?

Firefighters will.

 Foreign enemies threaten our shores. They are prepared to kill and maim. Who in their right mind would step forward to protect us from such a threat?

Our Military, that’s who!

 The people who put their lives on the line each and every day deserve our thanks, our respect and our admiration. We sleep easy because they are willing to keep watch.

When the tragedy of 9-11 made Americans aware of the threats we face and the dangerous world we live in, they saw the bravery and determination of the Police, Fire Fighters, EMT/Paramedics and our Military. They all acted quickly and with great courage and skill. Afterwards people cheered them and proudly flew the American flag. They put USA flag stickers on their cars and smiled and waved at police as they drove by. But we are fickle. Time passes and we become complacent once again. We take our heroes for granted. We forget that they still face death and danger in their daily work. We forget the sacrifices made by their families, especially in the case of a hero who dies in the line of duty.

Some people will never forget or forsake our first responders. Some still clap when the Veterans pass in the parade, or thank a soldier for his service when they see him. And some do more tangible things to show they care.

 Families of the Shield, Inc, a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, that exists to assist the families of officers killed in the line of duty. The organization also provides emotional and financial support to any First Responders and their families, who are in need. Food baskets, toys, rent money, a visit to the hospital, a shoulder to cry on – they’re there to help.

 One of the latest projects of “The Shield” is a Charity Fund Raising Gala. They call it “THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD AT THE FIRST RESPONDERS’ GALA” At the gala , which will be held in the prize winning Hilton Rialto in Melbourne, FL, guests will walk the red carpet and enter into a time and place of romance, music and good food. The Rat Pack of Central Florida will bring back the sounds and skits of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.  There will be dancing, silent auctions, and a specially made signature drink called, appropriately, “Shield of Honor.

But perhaps, most importantly, there will be a tribute video that will honor our first responders. Local Police, Fire, EMT/Paramedics and Military will be highlighted and appreciated. There will also be a memorial table to honor first responders who gave their lives in the commission of their duties.

 I know many of you who are reading this can’t travel to Melbourne to attend this Gala, but if you were to simply thank a soldier, smile at a police officer or firefighter, and make sure that flag is flying high on July 4^th; I think it would show that you care. We all need to appreciate and validate our heroes, because after all, who you gonna call?