Everyday heroes

Speaker: Honor those who lost their lives by nurturing ‘soul of selflessness’

With a piece of World Trade Center steel providing a compelling backdrop, a large crowd paused to reflect and remember the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy outside the Clear Lake Fire Department Thursday night.

 David Okerlund, a motivational speaker and author from Clear Lake, was the featured speaker for the solemn event. Okerlund said preparation for his 9/11 message was among the most challenging he has faced. He took a closer look at the lives a number of victims of the attack led and came to the realization that those we consider heroes would be the first to say they don’t consider themselves a hero.
“They all had families, jobs, friends and were living what we would call a normal life,” said Okerlund. “Then all of a sudden destiny-- or whatever you want to call it on Sept. 11, struck like lightning. I don’t believe they made the decision to be a hero on Sept. 11. That decision was made long before then. It’s possible there is a hero within all of us, waiting to be born.”
Okerlund said he believes those who sacrificed their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 would want us to embrace and replicate a sense of selflessness-- a willingness to serve our fellow men and women.
“We need to look for opportunities to nurture that soul of selflessness so if we are needed, we can be ready to do what needs to be done,” he said.