We've witnessed individuals smartly assembling themselves into a human chain a couple of times over recent weeks.
First, in Panama City Beach, Fla., in July, nine swimmers were pulled out into dangerous waters by rip currents in the Gulf of Mexico. Parents, despite their best efforts, were caught up in the same unseen forces in attempting to rescue their children.
A human chain of more than 80 beachgoers formed, extending into the Gulf that allowed a couple, Jessica and Derek Simmons, who were better-than-average swimmers, to reach the bobbing heads more than 100 yards from the beach. Beginning with the stranded children, one by one, all were returned to land, pulled to safety down the human lifeline.
One of the rescued declared, "These people were God's angels that were in the right place at the right time. I owe my life and my family's life to them. Without them, we wouldn't be here."
Robin SmithAs the events of Hurricane Harvey unfolded last week, it was obvious the scale of the natural disaster exceeded that of any government's reach despite the rapid and heroic response of first responders on the local, state and federal levels in Texas. So, the core of the American heart was on display with countless acts of volunteerism, including an armada of personal boats and watercraft navigating through flooded streets to access neighbors rescuing entire families.
Within the constant flow of news stories capturing tremendous acts of heroism and service by first responders both professional and volunteer, two other human chains stood out.
In one instance, with an SUV's front submerged in water that almost reached the bottom of the windshield, men and women of every ethnicity linked arms, then stretched with hands grasping to reach the vehicle. As the door opened against the pressure of the water, men scooped up an elderly man and brought him to safety. He was later treated at a hospital.
The second incident involved a mother experiencing labor pains. Greg and Andrea Smith had moved to Houston to gain specialty training in their medical fields of pediatric anesthesiology and geriatrics, respectively. Their calls to 911 were lost in an overwhelmed emergency system. But an email thread within their apartment complex, located near a local hospital, prompted neighbors to get involved. Those neighbors, many of whom work at the nearby hospital, included nurses and obstetricians, and all were set to deliver little baby girl Adrielle.
But before the makeshift delivery room was employed, a dump truck pulled up outside after an alert was sent through Smith's neighbor's friend to a local firefighter. A human chain was formed to gingerly escort Andrea Smith through waist-high water to her oversized chariot that would make way to the hospital for the birth of her baby.
Smith had previously had two miscarriages and was provided the necessary care for her and her daughter, whose name in Hebrew means, "belongs to God."
Human chains are the hands, feet, eyes, ears, voices and actions of God on this earth, if we'll just recognize them and be part of them.
Yet, chains are only as strong as their weakest link. Let's commit to do our part to receive these miracles when needed but always mobilize to give back as part of the human chain that offers love, life and liberty.
Robin Smith, a former chairwoman of the Tennessee Republican Party, owns Rivers Edge Alliance.