Heroes Among Us

Everyday heroes. What does this mean? To me, everyday heroes are your seemingly run-of-the mill, ordinary people who act in extraordinarily kind, generous and life-changing ways. They are a gem; a rarity.

Last Saturday, Glen Gulino, Keith Gulino, Darin Pizzalato, Leonard Pizzalato and Dylan Pizzalato became everyday heroes. These men are my relatives. They are my father, uncles, and cousins. Like you and me, they are employees, husbands, children, friends and loved ones.

You may have heard that there was a devastating boating accident around 6 pm on the Diversion Canal last Saturday. That evening, my relatives were on their way back from a blissful day on the river when they saw something that “didn’t look right.” My dad, driving his fishing boat, pulled over gently and found a devastating scene: a small, white boat had crashed into a pier leaving its five passengers severely tattered and wounded.

Immediately and without second thought, these brave men swung into action and kept these people comforted until medical assistance could arrive. Glen ran to call for help. Keith slowed other boat traffic so the waves would not disrupt the crashed boat and its passengers. Darin talked to passengers to keep them conscious and alert. Leonard maintained the fishing boat and stayed with Dylan. Dylan, my six year old cousin, looked on hopefully. He later asked, “Dad, why did we stop?” Darin, his father, responded, “Because that’s what we do, son. We help people who need us.” I cannot imagine better people to have arrived on the scene at that very moment to help the injured boaters.

While you keep all those injured in the crash in your thoughts and prayers, I ask you to also keep the selfless men who came to their rescue in your thoughts and prayers too. They are everyday heroes - the most precious kind. They don’t wear special clothes or stand out in any particular ways, but they played a large part in saving the lives of five people that day. I texted my dad today to thank him for what he did, for being a hero. He responded: “We did nothing heroic. Just helping others in need.”

I’ve never been so proud to be a Gulino. To my relatives, I love you and thank you for being not only my heroes, but heroes to people who needed you as well. To the injured passengers, my heart and prayers are with you.

Thank you Dad, Uncle Keith, Uncle Leonard, Darin and Dylan for your selfless service. I can only hope to one day be as heroic and kind as you.