park ranger saves father and son at cape hatteras

Thankful for an outer banks hero

As we sit down to our Thanksgiving dinners, this letter to the Outer Banks Voice puts into words the real meaning of thankfulness. It’s sometimes easy to overlook the heroes among us. William Butler in his letter eloquently describes what an act of heroism can truly mean.

“(Publisher’s Note: On Oct. 18, U.S. Park Ranger Valerie Streiff, dove into the waters near Bodie Island Lighthouse to save a father and son who were in distress. This letter, a tribute to Streiff, was sent to the Voice by the father, William Butler, of Virginia Beach.)

If only we had a hint when our moment of reckoning is to arrive. If we had an inkling of what our season of distress may be, we could prepare to meet it. But as Mary Schmich once wrote, “The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.” Or in my case, Sunday.”