When neighbors need help, heroism is 'just what they do'

Thanks to the generosity of the Kimmel Foundation and others as well as quick action by local organizers, a busload of local residents enjoyed a trip to Lincoln that included a Lied Center performance of “Come from Away.”

We know of several other local residents who took in the show on their own as well; having a chance to see a play that’s appeared on Broadway more than a thousand times is not something to miss.

For Southwest Nebraskans, the plot might have seemed familiar; we’ll explain later.

In case you don’t know about the show, it’s the true story of Gander, Newfoundland, a town not much larger than McCook that suddenly found itself hosting nearly 7,000 passengers on 38 planes that were ordered to land there immediately after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Apologies if the lines aren’t exactly verbatim, but Gander residents, when turning down money offered for their heroic services, responded “You’d do the same.”

We’ve seen the same heroism in response to the devastating grass fires to the east of us, where at least six families lost their homes, two firefighters gave their lives and dozens of others were injured.

Like Gander, the population of Indianola found itself doubled Sunday night when many who wanted to do something to help their neighbors turned out to commune with friends and strangers while enjoying a meal and a chance to bid on donated prizes to help farmers recover from the devastation.

Organizer John O’Dea explained it this way in a Facebook post:

“With a faith born not of words, but of deeds.

“Our community came together tonight. Our little town of Indianola doubled in size at 6 p.m.

“We hoped and planned on feeding 500. We lost count at 750.

We sold Burger for $23 per pound at auction. Wet distillers brought $350 per ton.

“$1300 pies.

“Lots of pies bringing well over $100.

“Lots of $100 bills in the donation boxes.

“Buyers from different regions of the country.

“Folks gave till it hurt. Then they gave a little more.

“Friends from all over gave time and skill to make it happen. They shared God’s gifts.

“It was an incredible night. The funds raised will go a long way toward healing some wounds.

“More importantly, the turnout showed so many families how much rural America cared.

“We have seen more drama, sorrow, natural violence, and compassion than Hollywood could ever pack into a movie. In 9 days. Our community needed tonight. We came together. We laughed and hugged and cried a little. What a great place to be. We are going to be ok. We will persevere.

“It’s what we do.”

Indianola was only the latest example of the above-and-beyond heroism that’s been shown in response to the fires. Firefighters lost their property while risking their lives to save others’ homes.

Neighbor after neighbor didn’t wait for permission and took the initiative to move livestock, vehicles and equipment to safety, usually with success but too often not.

Food enough for an army appeared where it was needed from places like McCook Christian Church, where thousands of sandwiches, paid for by anonymous donors, were skillfully assembled into grab-and-go bags for exhausted firefighters.

As an example of farmers helping farmers, one group brought three semi loads of hay and two flatbeds of fencing supplies, about $20,000 total, from places like Byron, Chester, Hubbell, Davenport, Deshler, Hebron, Ruskin, Hardy and Belleville.

For Nebraskans and neighbors, it is indeed “what we do,” and when it’s our time to express gratitude, the most likely answer is “you’d do the same.”