The authors of this article are members of Humboldt County Search and Rescue, but do not in any way speak as official spokespersons for the unit or for the County Sheriff.  These words are our own as private citizens.  Some people seem to have misconceptions of the local Humboldt County Search and Rescue unit activities.  Hopefully, this article can clear some issues.

The Search and Rescue (SAR) unit fulfills a Nevada Statute that requires each county sheriff to establish a SAR unit in his/her county.  The SAR unit consists mostly of volunteers who dedicate their time, money and equipment to the benefit of anyone in Humboldt County or the surrounding area that needs assistance because they are lost or missing in one of our 10,000 square miles of mostly back country.

As a young boy, I aspired to be a professional athlete.  I played football, baseball and boxed, and as I began playing on my college’s baseball team I still dreamt of reaching the major leagues someday.  But that dream faded as I realized I lacked the size needed to reach the professional ranks. Today, because I never “made it” athletically, I have such great admiration for those who have.

Today, Veterans Day 2011, we lined up police, fire, EMS and civic groups to run our annual parade. It began to rain; the temperature was 35 degrees. As we began our short route, the streets were lined, not just with children waiting on us to throw candy, but many of those we gather to honor this day.  As we drove the route I could see the admiration in the eyes of those who stood there next to the veterans, that look that said thank you for being a good person and thank you for doing violence on my behalf when you were called upon. 

It warms my heart that in a time of such turmoil, so many members of a small town will come together and honor those who protect the land of the free, by being one of the brave. To watch the spectators wave and smile at the local EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement and National Guard and to hear them say “thank you” It gives us all feelings that you can’t explain in words and the heart of everyone involved.  To the citizens of Humboldt County, thank you for your continued support of your public safety professionals and those who keep us safe.

Tony A. Shope

Rescue Operations Coordinator

Humboldt General Hospital EMS & Rescue

Winnemucca, Nevada

Recently I witnessed a video game tournament hosted in a local retailer’s electronics department to promote the launch of Activision Publishing’s Call of Duty – Modern Warfare 3®. 

Twenty or twenty-five young men and older boys were clustered around a video screen, as contestant after contestant took his turn at the challenge.  It was late in the evening, well after sunset.