I heard a story today of a man I never knew. Relatively few Americans knew him. Most of us however, know someone like him.
Mr. (Steve) Alvey was born in 1947 in Kankakee, Illinois. After graduating High School in 1965, he joined the Marines, cycling out in 1967. When people thanked him for his service, he would say he never served in Vietnam; an honor reserved for others.
Decorated warriors would give him thanks for his service if they could today. Every front-line soldier knew how many in other duties it took to keep them equipped and safe to come home.
After coming home from the Marines, Mr. Alvey got involved with the Axillary Police in the Kankakee suburb of Bradley.
In 1970 he became a Bradley police officer. In 1972 he entered a burning home and rescued a man.
While serving as a Police Officer in the 1970’s, he founded a plan to recruit local youth into a Police and Fire Cadets program. Many of those youth went on to became career police officers or firefighters; some even becoming command officers.
In 1980 Mr. Alvey was promoted to Sergeant and placed in charge as his shift’s supervisor. He experienced a career altering injury in 1996 but kept working for the agency as a Dispatcher / Telecommunicator for 12 more years.
After retirement, the local Christian school asked him if he could watch over their children’s safety one day. He showed up and went back almost every school day since. He took those kids’ well-being with the sincerity of a U. S. Marine or Police Sergeant. He loved them as if they were his own.
On Tuesday, October 31st he was one of the first to School. I don’t know but suspect I could say “as was his custom” and be right on.
Two children found Mr. Alvey unresponsive on the ground that morning. The young boy began CPR and instructed his sister to call 911. Mr. Alvey only watched with appreciation from his new home in heaven. It was his day to step out of his earthly body and move up.
Think About it,
Across America there are many men and women like Mr. Alvey.
Their glory isn’t in some grand life-sacrificing death but in the life they live.
This Thanksgiving season we are thankful for each and every one of you.
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