My fellow Americans:

Congress has essentially closed down and our nation virtually comes to a halt with thoughts and prayers, candlelight vigils, political speeches, endless newspaper and TV coverage, and the American flag flying at half-staff for the tragic deaths of six people and 18 who were injured in Tucson.

Consider this disaster that happened on Halloween night in 1963 at the Indianapolis Coliseum during the “Holiday on Ice” Show.

http://www.indystar.com/article/Coliseum-explosion

This tragedy found its way amidst run-of-the-mill articles in Time magazine and others a week later. Of course, it was well covered in the Indianapolis newspapers, but barely made a footnote elsewhere.

The Case for Dad

Consider also that my Dad, Al Rosebrock, was a Pinkerton Security officer on duty that night at the Methodist Hospital, the largest hospital in the Midwest. He assisted with the masses of severely injured brought there for treatment.

Working the night-shift, 6 to 2 a.m., he stayed through the night to offer aid. At daybreak, he had to leave to drive his school bus and make sure kids got to school on time.

His soaked security uniform was ruined. Yet he bathed himself of others’ blood so he could carry on his next responsible duty as a school bus driver.

Never did any so-called professionals console or counsel him in what had to be a horrific sight imbedded in his mind. He was not treated for what is today called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or other mental or emotional depression.

No newspaper wrote about his quiet heroics of going beyond his duties as a security officer.

He helped those who needed aid. He simply did his job as a concerned American citizen, i.e., lived up to the Golden Rule. He then went on to his next job without complaining, didn't call in sick, or identify himself as being a victim who deserved special consideration or compensation.

He burned his blood-soaked uniform and had to buy a new one. He was not reimbursed because the loss was not “security related.” His official job was to provide security for the hospital, not offer aid and comfort to the injured.

Our government did not shut down for the 74 innocent individuals who were killed by the blast including nearly 400 who were seriously injured.

American flags were not flown at half staff.

Why? Because it wasn't based on political theories, rhetoric and poppycock.

Nearly three weeks later, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The world came to a stop, and rightfully so.

Al Rosebrock was a silent hero on that fateful night in 1963. He was also a silent hero to his wife and four children as he worked endless hours in our greenhouses and vegetable garden fields to provide for his family.

A Vastly Different Time

He drove his own bus (drivers had to buy their own buses back then and were paid a set fee by the township) to make sure the kids of other families got to school safely, on time, and returned home as well.

Never once did he complain. Nor did he ask for thanks or recognition.

That was the way America was built. It was done by so many other Americans like him who did their jobs with honor and pride. They did not demand favoritism, coddling or special privileges.

Thank God we lived during a time when such people stood guard on our behalf. America became the country that our great-grandparents legally immigrated to on our behalf.

Today, America and its citizenry are but a shadow of those remarkable people and the country they loved and served.

May God have mercy on America.

Mr. Rosebrock, a Veteran who writes frequently Veterans issues, may be contacted rrosebrock1@aol.com