A man stands on the side of the busiest roadway in the state. It’s dark, rainy, and traffic is unrelenting. Car lights flash from the shoulder of the road, people pass him without a second thought. He’s in crisis, because life simply got in the way. A small flashlight illuminates his silhouette as cars continue to miss him, only by a couple of feet.
A car finally stops, edging even closer to the wave of blurry lights and buzzing cars on their way home. It’s parked behind the car with the flashing lights, someone to help. A flash of electric blue catches the night fog, the man immediately knows everything will somehow be okay.
With tears in his eyes and a soft crack in his voice, he struggles for the words.
“My phone and my wallet are somewhere in the median… I just cashed my entire paycheck. I – I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
An effort begins, the man who stopped to help has a plan.
“Sir, we’ll figure it out. Let us go out there. You stay here.”
The man; older, handicapped, and upset, shakes his newfound helper’s hand. The man is wearing a red cap, tattered and worn. It displays – ‘USMC – Do or Die!’
A glance is shared between the men, something is uttered by the helper.
“Semper Fi.”
Almost an hour later; hundreds of more cars have passed, the helper has enlisted some of his friends to assist. Finally, a wet phone is located, still functioning. A wallet is found later; the man is overcome with joy and thankfulness.
Another hand shake is offered, and accepted. The helper and his friends simply leave, only to find someone else in need. They don’t want the thanks, they only want to see the effects of what they do. Making an impact; simply doing a small thing – often elicits the greatest reward. A simple feeling; knowing you made a difference for someone else. The helper and his friends? Cops.
These are the stories happening everyday as people pass those electric blue lights. Don’t forget those who are here to help you. Don’t pass on an opportunity to help someone else.
For the Marines out there, Semper Fi – Always Faithful
ARKLIGHT 