by Robert Hubbell
Concluding Thoughts
The ongoing protests by hundreds of thousands of Americans are essential. It can feel lonely or pointless, but you are modeling courage and persistence to people who need it most. A reader sent me the following note (which I have anonymized by removing names and locations):
Dear Robert,
I am sharing the message below with permission from a member of our local Freeway Overpass Brigade. He asked that I not identify him by name, only that he is a Russian refugee with limited English and started communicating with our Overpass Brigade after our group leader posted a No Kings 3 flyer on his door.
The Russian refugee sent the message below after last Sunday’s overpass protest. We found it inspirational and meaningful, and invite you to share it with Today’s Edition readers:
“Dear Overpass Brigade Leader
“Thank you for the opportunity to witness people who find joy in dedicating a few hours of their lives to secure years of future tranquility for their entire country. And the harder it is for many of them to stand there for those hours—the greater the hostility they face from a few thoughtless drivers—the more valuable this sacrifice becomes to society: both for their descendants, for whom they clear a path to future success, and for their own glorious ancestors, who so often defended democracy in the past; and it touches and heals me, too—a chance bystander—for, sadly, in my own country, there were simply not enough people of such civic conscience to be found.”
Hundreds of thousands of people pass by daily standouts and bridge brigades. You will never know all of the hearts you have touched and spirits you have lifted. Be assured that you are doing so, regardless of whether people take the time to recognize your sacrifice.
You are defending our nation in its time of need. That alone is enough, but comforting others is a collateral blessing that will be paid forward for generations. Thanks to all of you who unwavering in your defense of democracy. You are truly American patriots and heroes of democracy.
