Our Fellow Americans Are Hurting

By Dan Rather, Dan Rather's Facebook Page

30 August 17

mericans, by and large, are a people of can-do service. We see a need and we don't have to be told to act. We extend our hands, open our hearts and wallets, and understand that we are, at our best, one nation.

As the horror continues to unfold in South Texas, we see this spirit come to the fore, from public officials and private citizens. These are heroes who seek not attention or reward, other than the knowledge they are helping their fellow human beings in a time of desperation. It is inspiring, but one thing I have learned in covering stories such as this is that the echoes of the catastrophe last long after the nation's attention turns elsewhere. The need to help Houston now is acute; it will become long lasting - chronic.

I heard a story once from a woman who lived in Germany during World War II, and was there when American GI's rolled in. She said one difference she noticed between the German and American soldiers was when a German tank got stuck, everyone waited around until an officer told them what to do. The Americans, by contrast, jumped out and went to work to fix things without being told. This is the America I know, then and now.

Our fellow Americans are hurting. We hear their cries for help. I hope our elected officials can understand that we want to be called on a mission of assistance and unity, now and into the future.