Military, emergency services honored at Jonesboro chamber event

Bill Brown said Wednesday (April 6) that most people dream of being a hero, but we often overlook the true heroes in today’s world. The opportunity of being a leader and being humble should not escape a person’s ability to serve, Brown told a group of business leaders.

“The men and women who were given the burden of protecting us,” Brown said of police officers, firefighters and the military. “It is an all volunteer force.”

Brown, a regional executive with Arkansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Jonesboro, spoke during a luncheon at the 26th annual Jonesboro Chamber banquet and business expo. Chamber president Mark Young said the event is the largest of its kind in the state. At least 250 area businesses participated at the event at the ASU Convocation Center. This year’s event honored “Super Heroes,” with several police, fire and military officials in attendance.

The event is held to give local businesses an opportunity to meet customers and talk about their products.

Brown, who served as a member of the Army Special Forces during Vietnam, said the volunteers go to work every day, dealing with sometimes evil people. They do their job sometimes unnoticed but provide a key service, Brown said.

“Unfortunately, we often overlook the true heroes, who do ‘walk among us each day.’ For you see real heroes, do not seek out recognition or fame,” Brown said. “They are quiet, humble men and women who go about their job, their chosen profession without any expectation of recognition or praise.”

In his remarks, Brown quoted from Jonesboro native and author Lt. Col. Dave Grossman.

“Grossman also describes the Warrior as a ‘sheep dog.’ He says 95 out of 100 people are like sheep. They wander around happily feeding and never intentionally doing harm to anyone. He says four out of 100 people are like wolves. The wolves feed on the sheep,” Brown said. “And he says one out of 100 people are like sheep dogs. These sheep dogs … protect the sheep.”

Brown said the sheep dog protects the sheep no matter what, with some complaints.

“And they shy away from the sheep dog. They keep their distance because he is a little too rough around the edges. A little too rough as he trains and prepares for what he hopes will never come. But when the wolves do come, all 95 sheep run and hide behind the lone sheep dog,” Brown said. “They hide as the dog, the warrior, goes out alone to do battle, at all cost, even to the point of sacrificing his life to protect the sheep. The 95 shudder in fear as they watch the battle unfold. And when the battle is won, the sheep dog … limps back, licks his wounds and begins his patrol of the perimeter, his chosen profession, once again.”

Brown also told a story about a conversation he had with a mentor while serving in the Special Forces.

“Many, many years ago, I was the ‘Pup’ or rookie on a Special Forces A Team. At the time, I was the only man on our team without combat experience. One day, one of my mentors asked me, ‘Billy, do you know the difference between a hero and a coward? As I sat puzzled he said, ‘The difference is in the direction you run when you are scared,” Brown said. “Then he said, ‘Bill, in battle, all men are scared. The hero is the one who overcomes his fear, who moves forward, engages the enemy and does what he knows is right.”