The Hope of the American Spirit
There are no words to express the deep and sincere grief that our nation has endured over the last week. Homes uprooted and washed away, property damaged beyond repair, and hearts broken by the grief of the loss of a child or loved one. In the aftermath of the natural disaster which occurred in the Texas Hill Country last week, countless families and communities have experienced a tremendous and unimaginable loss that will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark, and my prayers are most certainly with everyone involved.
In the shadow of loss and devastation, however, the American spirit remains steadfast. In every chapter of our nation’s darkest moments, there has never been a second of hesitation by our fellow countrymen to provide help. This week the nation has watched as neighbors in Texas have lent a helping hand to clean up homes and provide meals. Surrounding communities and states have dispatched their own volunteers to travel to impacted areas to fill in the gaps. And first responders have run straight toward danger, braving relentless and unforgiving waters to ensure every life can be accounted for and brought home.
This week, our own Arkansas National Guard was dispatched, sending twenty-two of our finest guardsmen and women to provide aid in the flood recovery efforts in Texas. Even a week after the tragedy, many families are still holding on to hope that their lost loved ones will be found. Our Arkansas National Guard is proud to answer the call of duty and utilize every resource at their disposal to help bring some relief and hope to these families. In addition to search and rescue efforts, these guardsmen will be utilizing their Black Hawks to transport cargo and passengers. Additionally, they will provide medical assistance during search and rescue efforts by reserving one Black Hawk crew for that role specifically.
It’s likely that there is hardly an Arkansan keeping up with the news out of Texas who hasn’t been reminded of the devastating loss our own community experienced fifteen years ago when surging floods swept through the Albert Pike campgrounds on the Little Missouri River. Twenty lives were lost in this tragedy – all folks looking to enjoy some time away in the outdoors, and all who are certainly remembered and missed every day.
This week, there has undoubtedly been time to reflect on each life lost – the campers who never went home, the families eagerly anticipating a river trip to celebrate the Fourth of July, and the brave individuals who went into harm’s way to save the lives of others, in turn losing their own. There has also been time to reflect on the resiliency of the American spirit – the neighbors and friends who have dropped everything to volunteer their time and energy to searching and supporting those around them, and moments of sincere gratitude for the first responders who have risked their own safety to be a beacon of hope for the rescued and their families.
As this week of solemn reflection ends, may we remember that in the darkness of devastation, we desperately need each other and rely on each other for hope. President Reagan once said, “The spirit of neighbor helping neighbor flows like a deep and mighty river through the history of our Nation. We are proud of our strong and uniquely American tradition of voluntarism. Compassion, vision, and a fundamental sense of decency are the hallmarks of our national character and are reflected in the charitable works of our citizens.” There is certainly no doubt that we have seen this character reflected in every helping hand, phone call, message of encouragement, or donation given by friends, neighbors, and strangers from across the country and around the world. While my heart breaks for everyone impacted by the devastating flooding, it is encouraged by the stories of heroism and hospitality that make me proud to be an Arkansan and an American.