Letter to the editor Selfless heroes give us hope

There are heroes we cannot forget, foremost the brave men and women who serve selflessly in harms' way to preserve life and freedom. And there are the unknown or forgotten heroes who serve without reward…nor do they wish one.

One such person is Carol Smith. I mention her because I have first- hand knowledge of her work. Carol, a registered emergency room nurse, is married to my son, Tim Smith, who is in the Air Force and currently serves overseas. Carol has spent almost all of her time since Hurricane Katrina in Biloxi, Mississippi, where she and Tim were once stationed. Biloxi was almost completely wiped out but has received little publicity or outside help.

Since Katrina, Carol has worked in hospitals, food commissaries, clothing warehouses, food kitchens, veterinary hospitals, and animal shelters. She has torn down molding houses and offered her shoulder to those who are suffering. She brought home an abandoned dog, had her vaccinated and spayed, and found a home for the dog in Biloxi after a year.

As my son, who spends precious leave time helping in Biloxi, observed, "The storm didn't discriminate. All God's creatures need help." He recommends Hands On Network (http://www.handsonnetwork.org/), which has helped organize relief work and welcomes anyone who wishes to contribute in anyway. Hands On Network, a national nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through meaningful volunteer action, has been named a winner of the 2007 Social Capitalist Award by Fast Company magazine and the Monitor Group.

Faith Stephenson Brune

wbrune@sc.rr.com