The Real Heroes of Society

We all know police officers, firefighters, medical people, and the military are all heroes, but there are other unsung heroes who get no credit for making society better for all of us.

As I wrote this, a frostbite inducing blizzard was happening outside my window. The world was shut down. Schools and businesses were closed and most people with common sense made a conscious decision to stay off the roads because the snow and icy conditions were just too dangerous.

Not everyone has the luxury of staying home though.

As I sat comfortably in my cozy warm home, I thought to myself, “A hot pizza sure would be great on a cold day like today.” However, during days like this I’m sure there is so often a collective thought of, “I don’t want to go outside.” The inclement weather may be too bad for the majority of society affected by the storm, but somehow these dedicated pizza people make it in to work, and are willing to head back out repeatedly, in order for those like me to have a pizza. Like first responders who must answer emergency calls in the snow, so must pizza people.

That’s dedication.

Do I feel bad that I’m making some 19 year old kid brave unbearable Arctic-like conditions in their 1984 Ford Escort to satisfy my hunger? I guess maybe a little, but when you’re hungry, you’re hungry. Sometimes I think about it, until I realize there are pizza delivery people who brave conditions, like this or worse, in some of the harshest places on the planet. Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Canada, Northern Europe…They know their mission, they willingly accept, for no other reason than somebody has to do it… I’m sure money has something to do with it too, but whatever the reason, even in the coldest climates on Earth, they are on the job when we need them most.

They are truly heroes…

To further show their dedication, American soldiers in combat were able to eat fresh pizza in places like Iraq and Afghanistan because willing workers deployed there to take up the important role of pizza cook. For that matter, in the midst of war torn Ukraine, pizza delivery drivers are still on the job delivering happiness. If my delivery driver dodged a missile attack or two to bring me my pie, they are surely getting a good tip.

For this, I am proud.

My articles do contain a touch of satire, but when I say I have crazy respect for not only the drivers, but also the people who show up to cook the pies, I couldn’t be more serious. It’s little things like this that are so forgotten in modern life. It’s one of the conveniences that make our world a semi-civilized society.

We take many things for granted… Never forget the purveyors of pizza who make life worth living.

~ Marty ~

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