In the weeks and months after Hurricane Helene, I’ve seen many good stories about the police and fire departments that sent employees to the affected parts of western North Carolina. I’ve always respected those in public safety, and their response to this disaster showed a commitment to public service that has inspired me.
But still, after all this time, I’ve seen little mention of the public works employees who traveled just as far, bore much of the burden and have gotten little of the glory. They weren’t the only ones in government who have stepped up, of course. But it was these civil servants who helped stabilize landslides, created ways out for trapped citizens and did so much more.
They weren’t the only local government employees who did amazing things. But why were these blue-collar heroes largely left out of the celebration? It may have something to do with our country’s historical neglect — even disrespect — for bare-knuckled hard work and for the laboring men and women who keep things going. A uniform always impresses more than a T-shirt and shovel…