Like so many who awakened Tuesday morning, March 26th, I was shocked to see a bridge sprawled across the river on my news programs. Disbelieving it was real, I stared in shock, as the reporter kept saying this was happening in Baltimore, Maryland, in our own country. This couldn’t be! The Francis Scott Key Bridge looked like matchsticks that had what looked like a patchwork quilt poking out the side. Mesmerized and unable to turn away, all I could think was that this was a true tragedy. And it certainly would have been, if not for some very heroic and quick-thinking people.
As the hourly news brought more information, we learned that the Dali, a cargo ship smashed into the Key Bridge at around 1:30 in the morning, sending it into the Patapsco River. Sadly, six men were working on pothole repairs, and they plunged into the river, as well. Two of the men who are missing, presumed dead, are from Mexico, two from Guatemala, one from El Salvador and one from Honduras. All striving for the American dream of financial comfort. They had families, goals and determination. Why else would they be on the bridge in the middle of the night?
Many lives were saved by the rapid police response when a mayday call came in from the cargo ship from Singapore. Police managed to close the bridge from both sides. Had this been a different time and circumstance, no doubt, countless lives would be lost in a most horrific manner…plunged into the dark and murky river.
I am writing about this because I am always amazed at the people who step up and do all they can to save lives, respond to needs, dive into icy, murky waters. They are attempting to navigate mangled metal and search for bodies for the families to bury. Sandwich shop owners closed their shops to make meals for first responders; the government sent assistance and a guarantee the bridge will be rebuilt as a priority. We are a good people. We support each other despite how easy it is to believe so much negativity.
Despite their best efforts, divers may not be able to find the poor men who lost their lives Tuesday night, but I know if there is a way to find them, it will be done. There are heroes that walk among us, make sandwiches, save lives. We never know when we may be called to do something heroic, but I believe we all have the ability to do so.