The job of a first responder can be a thankless one, but that wasn't the case Friday inside Concord Baptist Church.
Operation Bugle Boy, a local organization dedicated to serving armed forces, hosted law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians to a night of appreciation during its first "Tribute to Heroes" program, which featured national speakers. David Beamer, father of Flight 93 hero Todd Beamer, acted as the keynote speaker, and the parents of three Navy SEALS killed in Operation Red Wing (featured in the book and movie, "Lone Survivor") answered audience questions.
Col. Jack Jackson, a Marine combat pilot in the Vietnam War and former Missouri House representative, emceed and took moments to express his gratitude.
"They always say, "Thank a veteran.' That's great, and we appreciate it," Jackson said to the crowd of more than 250. "But when you see a police officer or a firefighter, I want you to do the same thing, please, because I fought a war two times for 13 months and I came home. These men and women go out there every day and their families don't know if they're coming home. And with that, to the spouses of the first responders, our prayers go with you."
Local first responders, including Matt Schofield, chief of the Jefferson City Fire Department; Cole County Sheriff Greg White and John Rujawitz, paramedic and EMT with Cole County Emergency Services, took opportunities to speak about the importance of their jobs. Each touched on the privilege they feel to perform their duties.
"The best part about being a first responder is the nature of the work," Schofield said. "Every day is different, each challenge is unique, each call requires full attention, each problem needs a specific skill set. We're allowed the honor to intervene in some of life's most challenging events, whether it's a heart attack, a terrible crime or a horrific fire. There really are no words to convey our sympathy, but that's the difference - we get to act, we get to do something. We get to take action."
To show their reverence of first responders, organizers played a video displaying videos from Sept. 11, 2001, when thousands lost their lives, including hundreds of first responders working to save others. The details of that day are still vivid in White's mind. After learning about the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, White said he saw students gather to pray and heard the stories of first responders facing the unimaginable.
"You saw Americans standing up that day and doing what Americans do - going toward danger and fighting as hard as they can when there's nothing else to do but standing your ground. And, I'm deeply proud of those law enforcement officers, those firefighters, those paramedics and EMTs," White said.
"I also look around in this room and I see men and women who I know who have been hit, cut, shot in the line of duty in their careers, and I know they still put their uniform on and they still get in their cars and they still go out there, and when the call comes they still respond. They choose to put their life in between evil and those who they're sworn to protect. That's an honorable thing."
David Beamer, whose wife Peggy sat in the front pew, discussed his disgust with poor attitudes directed toward law enforcement.
"Authority figures, especially those we're thinking about tonight who've served and sacrificed, you're disdained instead of being respected. People put together plans of ambush, and after some of those, citizens go on to celebrate death as murdering an authority figure can be rationalized," he said. "Blue lives don't matter here in America, really? ... Peggy and I pray for all of you first responders, along with our military every day. One of my assignments for every one here today is to join Peggy and I in prayers for those folks I mentioned."
Sgt. Jason Payne, a 12-year police officer with the Jefferson City Police Department, said the gesture of the event was "received well" by the department.
"You always appreciate when people respect what you do," Payne said. "Do I consider myself a hero? No, this is just my job I do every day. It's the job that all of these people signed up to do - EMS, firefighters and cops. But when you're thanked, you know you've reached somebody in a good way, a positive way."
"Tribute to Heroes" also honored five first responders who died while doing their jobs: Columbia Police Officer Molly Thomas-Bowden, Columbia Firefighter Bruce Britt, Missouri Highway Patrol troopers James Bava, James Froemsdorf and Dennis Marriott. Families of Thomas-Bowden and Froemsdorf were in attendance.
Lauer honored at Operation Bugle Boy event Thursday
Janice Lauer accepted a Senate resolution in honor of her late husband, George Lauer, at an Operation Bugle Boy event Thursday night. The Lauers are known locally for sending care packages to American soldiers overseas.
Video: Janice Lauer accepts honor for late husband
Background: George Lauer dies but work continues