THIS IS MY CITY !
A lesson not found in textbooks
It was a scene straight out of a western movie, but with a motorcycle, not a horse. Seven young men, not to be mistaken for the Magnificent Seven, rolled out of a nearby pub at 2:00 a.m. An eyewitness reported they were pretty lubricated. Walking up the street, they exercised their lack of inhibition [and possibly the fact that they all had left with whom they had arrived] by toppling over a couple of big-barrel trashcans and yucking it up as the trash littered the street.
They were described by our eyewitness, who slipped this story over my transom, as “students at a nearby college” –- all over 21. That would probably make them seniors or grad students or struggling underclassmen on the five-year plan. Whatever, they had a lot to learn and were about to be schooled…
A local resident and business owner had just ended his night and ridden off on his motorcycle, wearing the appropriate headgear. Suddenly, he appeared on the scene of the crime in progress…
Before I tell you what transpired next, let’s be clear that this citizen [hint: Semper Fi] looms large. He is 6’ 6” tall, carries the requisite weight on his huge frame, and when he wants to, can double as a drill sergeant. Yup, John Wayne starring as our local hero in this western set in a small southern town.
Back at the scene, school was in session. Our hero stopped his bike, stood on the street [helmet on], pointed at the trash barrels, and bellowed into the night air: “Clean this @#$%^! up! This is my city and you won’t mess with it!” [Or words to that effect.]
Our eyewitness reports that he never knew that one’s eyeballs can grow; he always thought they were a fixed size for all of one’s adult life. But suddenly, his doubled in size. The Impotent Seven had a similar physical transformation. Our witness also reported an odor that made him look around for the local horse and carriage ride, which was nowhere to be found at 2 a.m.
Like defeated cowboys facing the gallows, the seven men dutifully reset the trash barrels. Upon further orders from our hero, they picked up the trash. Pleased with the results, he dismissed them, said hello to our eyewitness, and rode off into the [dang, I want to write “sunset” but it was 2 a.m.]… night.
Yes, young men, this is his city. And mine. And so many others’ who care and live and work here. Someday it will be yours –- if you earn it. It comes with no diploma but with a permanent patch of pride and passion. It’s what makes a community click.
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