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Message: [QUOTE="Ozimoto, post: 3501163, member: 6677"] A high school buddy of mine who is an old school radio journalist posted this essay on his Facebook page. Thought provoking and hopefully more people are like him and not like the people who are losing their minds and sense of civility in this crisis. "The last time Garrett County was under a State of Emergency, my friend [URL='https://www.facebook.com/brad.frantz.5?__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARBl8uXTfLtyHshZOiMwa13HKuKCNU9tZw-17Wu1h5N7lcxea7hg15vEjAUH6Hm_R4JpjidkL_1OzWbB&fref=mentions']Brad Frantz[/URL] asked me to say a few words of inspiration to a FEMA team, MEMA reps, and locals who were at the end of a sleepless week of the Hurricane Sandy Snow Disaster. Back then, we knew the snow would melt, and we would get back to normal in a few weeks. There were thousands of people without electricity, because the storm had laid waste to hundreds of power poles. You may remember all of those utility trucks descending on our county and rebuilding our power grid. I recall the pride I felt when I heard my neighbors were bringing those workers gloves and scarves to keep them warm. That's what we need right now. We need to do our part to make certain we protect as many people as we can. We need to be creative in what is going to be a very restricted reality for the next month, and maybe beyond. We have to avoid the temptation to drive each other crazy, both within a cramped house, and on social media. Our hurdle is one we haven't faced before. May I recommend you spend the time learning about yourself? All of us are individuals who have different qualities, varied philosophies, and have many unique experiences. In addition to our upbringing, those events have shaped who we are, and will very definitely determine where we are going. Once you have determined who you are, appreciate who you are. And then take that appreciation of self and realize we, as a group of unique people, have an opportunity to do something truly remarkable, but only if we take all of our individuality and temper it for as long as it takes, for the benefit of the greater good. Each of us has the chance to make a difference. Making a difference means taking advantage of an opportunity. That's what we have here. An opportunity. But we have to do it as a whole. Whole families. Whole neighborhoods. Whole businesses. Whole congregations. Whole towns. Whole counties. Whole regions. Whole states. The whole nation. Realize that you may be the one link that could determine if someone else continues on, or falls to the disease! While the life you save could, indeed, be your own, that life may also belong to someone's grandparent, parent, brother, sister, child or friend. "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one..." Tonight, I'm thinking of those who are in the fight for their lives, and the families who cannot even be there to lend moral support. I'm thinking of those who have died without the peace of mind that their community would be there to support their families with a large turnout, or warm embraces. I'm thinking of my friend [URL='https://www.facebook.com/charlie.gischlar?__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARBQ_GHezl67f3O1uRkWrXAqLKxyKYBI1QoBI_Y9c4g3WUYikHF-FChC3Wfq4F9qrZpWRRHqYBLi7U4S&fref=mentions']Charlie Gischlar[/URL]. Charlie is a highly effective and respected communications professional, who moved from the Maryland State Highway Administration to the Maryland Department of Health just in time for this nightmare. I'm also thinking of those medical professionals, police, fire and EMS. All of those folks who are taking it on the chin and fighting this virus with all they have. Can they count on you? We are facing very tough times, but each of us has the chance to help limit the damage. But I cannot do it without you, and you cannot do it without me. I pledge my best effort. Can I count on you?" [/QUOTE]

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