One cannot help but to be awestruck when someone who is considered a national hero shakes your hand. It also is quite amazing when you realize just how humble a hero can be.
Right here in the 27th Senate District we have one of the national heroes of the day in U.S. Airways pilot Jeffery Skiles of Oregon. Skiles was honored by the State Senate in a resolution from my office and by the governor in his State of the State speech. I had the honor of having some time to speak with Jeff and his wife Barbara, sons JJ and Matt and daughter Kelly when they were a part of the Senate presentation.
I was struck by how humble Jeff was. He does not consider himself a hero and doesn't want to be called one. He told me he was just doing his job with the rest of the crew that day. Well, it sure was a good job, and the 150 passengers and other crew members are sure happy co-pilot Skiles came to work that day. It struck me how prophetic this approach is; we all have the opportunity to be a hero every day, sometimes by just doing our job.
As we face the challenges we have as Americans and the stresses we live every day in our homes, we also should remember we often are given an opportunity to be a hero. When we reach out and touch the life of another in our job or as a part of our day we have many chances to make a difference. From the bus driver that brings a family to a doctor's appointment on time, to the Meals on Wheels volunteer, the teacher, the pastor, the public servant; all of us can lead as the hero we want to be. It doesn't take a safe landing in the Hudson to make a champion. You can be a hero today.
Thank you again to co-pilot Jeff Skiles for doing his job and being a hero for the passengers and crew of U.S. Airways flight 1549 - we are so proud you are from Wisconsin and the 27th Senate District.
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, serves the 27th Senate District. To contact Sen. Erpenbach, call (608) 266-6670 or (888) 549-0027 or e-mail sen.erpenbach@legis.wi.gov.
Right here in the 27th Senate District we have one of the national heroes of the day in U.S. Airways pilot Jeffery Skiles of Oregon. Skiles was honored by the State Senate in a resolution from my office and by the governor in his State of the State speech. I had the honor of having some time to speak with Jeff and his wife Barbara, sons JJ and Matt and daughter Kelly when they were a part of the Senate presentation.
I was struck by how humble Jeff was. He does not consider himself a hero and doesn't want to be called one. He told me he was just doing his job with the rest of the crew that day. Well, it sure was a good job, and the 150 passengers and other crew members are sure happy co-pilot Skiles came to work that day. It struck me how prophetic this approach is; we all have the opportunity to be a hero every day, sometimes by just doing our job.
As we face the challenges we have as Americans and the stresses we live every day in our homes, we also should remember we often are given an opportunity to be a hero. When we reach out and touch the life of another in our job or as a part of our day we have many chances to make a difference. From the bus driver that brings a family to a doctor's appointment on time, to the Meals on Wheels volunteer, the teacher, the pastor, the public servant; all of us can lead as the hero we want to be. It doesn't take a safe landing in the Hudson to make a champion. You can be a hero today.
Thank you again to co-pilot Jeff Skiles for doing his job and being a hero for the passengers and crew of U.S. Airways flight 1549 - we are so proud you are from Wisconsin and the 27th Senate District.
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, serves the 27th Senate District. To contact Sen. Erpenbach, call (608) 266-6670 or (888) 549-0027 or e-mail sen.erpenbach@legis.wi.gov.
