One more thing, about the death of Chicago Fire Department Captain Herbert Johnson.
The story of his family is a familiar one in this city. Herbie's brother is a Chicago police officer, his sister is a former police officer, their father worked for the city's streets and sanitation department, and his grandfathers were Chicago cops. It's one of the great things about Chicago. So many police and firemen have generations of public service and a love for this great city in their blood.
They are truly caring neighbors.
There are heroes like Herbie Johnson in our midst every day. Sadly it takes a tragedy for most of us to find out about people like him.
How he helped New York's 911 rescue efforts, rescued children from a burning building on the South Side, or that another child wrote Herbie a thank you letter for telling his class what to do during a fire, and helping to save his family's life when they escaped from their burning home.
Our police and fire departments are filled with Herbies, helping people every day. We don't hear much about them. Mostly, we hear about the bad apples on the news, the tiny minority, because--well news, by definition, is something that's not the norm. But the heroes in our midst don't mind if you don't recognize their efforts. They'll tell you it's just their job. Like the motto of the Chicago Fire Department says: "we're here when you need us." Thank God they are.
