A Salute to Herman "Lou" Dobbs - Air Evac Team 109

Public Service is a phrase that is heard of from time to time. Most often we hear it in commercial advertisements as a statement that the information shared is for the common good. When attempting to define public service and common good the definition will vary but there are basic concepts to the phrase that impact all of us. Law Enforcement, Emergency Responders, Medical Service Providers all clearly qualifies as a benefit to the common good. The supporting agencies could be government services such as our county sheriff and city police departments, fire departments, rescue squads, ambulance services, doctors, nurses and emergency response teams which might be called upon for a number of difference types of emergencies. Several years ago I became a member of an emergency Air EVAC program. When memberships were first announced I joined and gladly paid my membership fee, knowing that my benefit through membership far outweighed the expense of the services they provide should I ever need air lifted to a hospital or medical facility. When I was growing up, my interest in things all surrounded around my talents, people I knew, and things I enjoyed. I know others who when looking at a career question things from possible salaries ranges, benefits and opportunities to advance professionally. These questions are equally important but I myself have always placed my emphasis on my passions, the things that motivate me all by themselves. I have never been one interested in a title, but I respect positions. Benefits through employment are awesome, but I understand totally what it is to work without health care, a 401K and even no paid vacation time. People with passion often have a self-sense of what they want to accomplish and what that picture looks like. When they see it, they latch on. Herman “Lou” Dobbs, flight paramedic, Eddy Sizemore, pilot of Air EVAC Team 109 and Jesse Jones Air EVAC flight nurse were all people who were passionate about what they did, why they did what they did, and service to others, the common good, all describe them and the public service they provided. They each gave the ultimate sacrifice of service on Thursday, June 6, 2013 when their Air EVAC helicopter crashed after safely transporting a patient to a hospital facility. While they were each employed by a privately owned company, their work was a public benefit, and our community is stronger because of individuals like them, because they each followed their passions, the things that brought them great personal satisfaction because of their efforts, training and work. There can never be enough said about an individual who makes a difference because they use what the natural talent they have been given and then they took that to the next step by training and growing that gift. Lou, Eddy and Jesse each are examples of the best in people! Herman “Lou” Dobbs grew up in Tennessee in Hawkins County. This area is a unique part of the State of Tennessee sharing Kingsport-Bristol with the Commonwealth of Virginia too. Herman grew up in the Church Hill area of Hawkins County. He has been active in Public Service for over 20 years. He service in the State of Tennessee included the Sullivan Co Emergency Medical Services, (EMS), Church Hill EMS, Hawkins and Green County EMS. He also served the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Department. He continued this tradition by serving the people of Southeastern Kentucky as a member of the Air EVAC Team 109. Funeral Services were conducted for him in Rogersville, Tennessee and London, Kentucky. When an emergency crisis is at hand, and the services of such companies and individuals are required, often times there no appropriate moments to say thanks. Yet, there are times when an individual has an opportunity to say thank you for the help and assistance they are receiving. Lou, Eddy and Jesse probably responded to such comments with a statement like, “I am just doing my job”, maybe “I am glad to help”, or “this is what I do, thank you, and I you are going to be ok”. Their encouragement to others impacted every patient and family member they served. Today it is now our opportunity to say to their families and to all who serve as they did, thanks. To you who serve like they did, for the Common Good we salute you for your public service! We are humbled because of your willingness to follow your heart of passion and career choice. We are a safer, stronger community because of you and your work. Your commitment and willingness “to lay down your life for another” humbles each of us to our inner core. Your difference will never be forgotten. Air EVAC Team 109 remembered for their individual contribution of service and sacrifice. Until then