Heroes do their jobs well
Too often, we find ourselves seeing what can only be described as the negative side of today’s young people. Of course, such has been the case since time immemorial, when each older generation finds something to complain about when it concerns the young. Music, mores, culture, etc., are all the topics of criticism. It must be noted some of the criticisms are valid from generation to generation, but underneath it all, the new generation, for all its supposed entitlement, is trying to make its mark, just like the generations before.
When called upon, we find that human nature does not change, and countless numbers of young people will heed the call. Such was the case in late July when Jack Miklos, a lifeguard for the city’s Park-Rec Department, did his job, and did it well.
Seeing a swimmer in distress, pulled to deep water near the pedestrian bridge over the Cove River, he jumped into action and was able to make a rescue. His training took over, but with it was courage, we of an older generation do not like to attribute to the young.
But it was more than that. Miklos stands as a hero, sure, but he is a tribute to his family, school, the Park-Rec Department, and the city. Heroism is not measured, many times, in simple bravery, but it utilizes the skills sets that were instilled during training. Learning something and putting it into practice is not a given, especially when one is put in a position of danger.
The Stonehill University student is back in class and living and learning at his chosen major. If he puts the same effort into his studies and his live choices as he did on that fateful July day, he will succeed in the world as a full-fledged adult.
But his is more than that. He is a prime example of the millions of young people who are not dropping out or expecting the world to serve them. With young men and women like Jack Miklos, the nation and the world have nothing to fear about the future.
The media, especially, likes to portray today’s young people under the umbrella of radicalism, fringe causes, or entitlement. We venture to guess there are more like Jack Miklos in the younger generation than we are led to believe.
Thanks, and honors are well deserved for Miklos. He served his city, his family, and especially himself well. And he is not alone.
On getting items in the Voice
The cooler mornings tell us the summer is waning, and fall is around the corner. As we get back into the swing of things, we remind our readers that getting events into the paper are just a click or two away. If you have club or organizational news you want published both in print and on-line, go to info@westhavenvoice.com and submit your item. Deadline is Monday at 10 a.m. prior to Thursday publication. Please use complete sentences, and include who, what, where and when. Flyers are not accepted. Call (203) 934-6397 if you have questions.