Letter: Heroes — they walk among us

Posted 4/7/20

To the editor:

As a retired Naval Officer, many fellow service members and I have been graced by the gratitude of citizens who sincerely stated in passing “thank you for your …

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Letter: Heroes — they walk among us

Posted

To the editor:

As a retired Naval Officer, many fellow service members and I have been graced by the gratitude of citizens who sincerely stated in passing “thank you for your service,” a gesture that I accepted with appreciation and humility.

Today, we are faced with the COVID-19 global pandemic, the likes of which hasn’t been experienced in generations. Many are justifiably afraid of an uncertain future. Yet, many have jumped willingly into the fight and assumed the risk to their well-being and that of their families. They are accepting their responsibility to society and to our collective future to use their talents and skills to minister to the needs of our citizenry.

First and foremost, we must pay tribute to our healthcare workers and emergency response personnel who face both known and unknown perils each and every day. To these heroes we owe our heartfelt gratitude and respect.   

Just as importantly, we also need to acknowledge and thank the other heroes, quietly working to make our communities safe. They support our ability to sustain some sense of normalcy during these challenging times.  While not facing this battle on the frontlines, they are helping to fight it from behind the scenes. Their contributions to this fight are essential.

• Federal, state and municipal workers — tirelessly executing the program initiatives to help bring structure and organization to our lives. Thank you!

• Healthcare administrators — working behind the scenes to ensure the that critical needs of our citizens and healthcare providers are being met. Thank you!

• Public works employees — whether plowing our roads, repairing municipal infrastructure, or clearing debris after a storm; they are always available to meet a community’s needs. Thank you!

• School administrators and teachers — taking care of and educating our children, capable of “turning on a dime” to provide distance learning from their homes to our homes. Thank you!

• Volunteers — they are the gap fillers, standing up and selflessly doing what it takes to support their community’s needs. Thank you!

• Our citizens — society would collapse without a cooperative citizenry. Your willingness to adhere to and adapt to state of emergency guidelines and regulations provides order in an ever-changing crisis. Thank you for your cooperation to simply “do the right thing.”

These people are our real-world “Avengers!" They get up every morning with a mission. Collectively, they ensure that our communities continue to function and meet our common needs. All of these heroes need our support and thanks. So, from this humbled citizen, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. You inspire me every day! I am grateful that you are part of my world and am proud to be a part of yours.

Jim Cunha

Barrington

Mr. Cunha is Barrington's town manager.

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.