Las Vegas does itself proud during time of crisis
It was a massacre that left 58 people dead and more than wounded. The survivors and their families will have to live with that tragic memory for the rest of their lives.
Yet, in the midst of the terrible carnage and chaos that night of Oct. 1, 2017, there were many individual acts of heroism. Strangers helping strangers find shelter, dragging the wounded to a safe area and bringing them to local hospitals. Off-duty police and firefighters directing people where to go and what to do, locating where the shots were coming from to find the shooter. And, of course, the first responders were on the scene within minutes.
Had it not been for all of these brave people, many more would have been killed or wounded.
The following morning, people stood for hours in lines to donate blood. Volunteers were out there with them directing traffic for others who were bringing in food, water and other needed supplies for the donors. More than $8 million has already been raised to help the families of the victims.
I have never seen a community so galvanized, so united in its effort to help its own like the people of Las Vegas. We may be known as the entertainment capital of the world — “Sin City,” as it were — but our people have proven themselves to be made of far stronger stuff than that shallow title would suggest. I am proud of the heroic efforts of our people, and I have never been more proud to call myself a Las Vegan.
