Dec 12, Palm Beach, Cruzan Amphitheater benefiting PBCFR & PBCSO benevolent funds. Don't miss the end...wonderful surprises all the way through. HERO is an amazing accomplishment, a performance you watch with your heart. This work has helped raise interest and awareness for many charities and worthy causes. This performance was produced by Wolfgang Films.
HERO explores commitment to an ideal. It asks the question: What endeavor would you undertake knowing full well that the odds are you will fail? What would you give your all to knowing it's likely you will be severely injured or even die trying? What is the greatest possible reward and in that thought, what is the most valuable and priceless thing on earth?
Paul and Chrissie are a young couple, in their twenties, and have started a new family.
Story as told by Chrissie
I'll never forget that day. My husband Paul didn't even eat breakfast, he was excited and wanted to get to the fire station early. It was his first week on the job. And there at the door, he stood he stood waiting for a hug from Jessie our adorable 3 year old. When Paul told that her he loved her, Jessie's face lit up with a big smile and in her tiny voice she said "Daddy, will you play with me when you get home?"
Paul smiled and said "Of course."
I hated that we both had to work, but I was glad that Jessie could go to Gail's apartment to play her daughter Jen. When we got there Jessie and Jen started playing with dolls right away. And then on my way out the door I heard Jessie tell Jen that her daddy is a fireman. She sounded so proud. I left feeling happy and proud of both Jessie and Paul.
I didn't know that that day would change my life forever.
They tell me that Jessie got up to go to the bathroom. Right after she closed the door there was huge explosion, the entire building shook. Gail said the apartment filled with smoke. Without even thinking Gail grabbed Jen and ran out.
Frantically she found the fire chief and told him that there was another little girl trapped in her apartment. But, the chief told her there was no way he could send anyone into that collapsing old building.
The Gail heard Paul's voice on the radio saying he was on the second floor.
The chief told Paul to get out... that he had a family to think about, but Paul's voice came back on the radio and said that he wouldn't leave until he knew everyone was safe.
He said he heard there was a little girl trapped in one of the apartments. Little did he know...
The chief was yelling at him: "Are you insane, GET OUT OF THERE before the building collapses", but Paul refused.
When I got there I didn't see Jessie and just went crazy. I was going to go in there and get her myself. The chief had to grab me to stop me.
When he realized who I was he told me Paul was already in there. But when I asked him if they were OK, he just looked at me.
Then I heard Paul's voice on the radio. It was broken up, but I heard him say he it was really bad. He said he was going to try to get the child and make it to a window. He told the chief "You'd better call my wife. Tell Chrissie I love her and tell her to take good care of Jessie, and..." The radio went dead.
I screamed! All I could do was scream. "Paul, its Jessie! IT'S JESSIE! God, he doesn't know!"
Read the rest of the story or listen to it at http://www.michaelisrael.com/herostory.html
Tags: firefighter Michael Israel action artist 9/11 september 11 brooks dunn micheal isreal
