By Brian Flewelling
Jay Withey saved 24 lives in Buffalo, N.Y., a few weeks ago. Many of you may not have heard of him or his story, but I thought I’d take a minute to offer a few thoughts about this man, this hero, Jay Withey.
So I heard him describe in his own words how the story unfolded. During the recent blizzards that hit the Buffalo area, Jay found himself stranded overnight with two strangers he had picked up along the way to help a friend who was himself stranded. They had started going house to house, asking for shelter from the storm and its freezing temperatures.
The three were rebuffed at each attempt, even offering $500 to one homeowner who wouldn’t even answer the door. The following morning, Jay noticed a school building on his GPS. The group, now including an additional seven stranded elderly people, got to the school building, locked up tight, of
course.
Withey broke a window to gain entry for himself and the others. Alarms were set off, but he carried on, going back to the highway for others, eventually providing safety for 24 other souls and a few dogs needing shelter from the storm. Yes, the local authorities have all praised Jay Withey for his heroic actions. I should hope so!
As I thought about it, my attention turned to the homeowners, warm and snug, who had a knock on the door in the middle of storm. Some, certainly, refused to answer the door. They saw the faces through a peep hold or side window and were afraid, so ignored the knock.
For whatever reason they felt fear – Media overplay of crime? Racism? A calculation of their own dire straights and limited resources and the impact of the needs of three additional bodies? Of those who opened the door, and still turned them away after having looked them in the eye and talked with them?
Only they can each question and answer for their motivation and atone where needed. I could go on further about media’s responsibility (present local editor and publisher excepted) for the fear one feels
when there’s a knock on the door, but I’ll save that for another day. Just hold that thought, that fear sells advertisement. But inspiration … well, could it save lives?
Withey isn’t bitter about having been turned down. “It was just a blessing,” he said, to be able to help these people.
A true American hero. He’s not a celebrity or great athlete. He’s not a government official or rescue authority. He’s a mensch, and he took decisive action, ready to account for consequences. Just a regular person doing the right thing; being a good human.
Why isn’t that on a T-shirt and used to brand $150 dollar sneakers made by a Uyghur slave or some other oppressed people?
“It was a blessing indeed, Jay Withey.” Someone please license that and sell a million t-shirts! An unpaid plug for a local business, without Uyghur slaves: Big D’s Royaltees might help you.
I hope 2023 finds that you spent your year wisely; warm and safe in a loving embrace. Peace to you.
Brian Flewelling is a retired County Council member and huge fan of good news. Positive news is good for your mental health. Send him your optimistic views, and he might be inspired to write a future article about it. Of course, we don’t live in a perfect world, and positive action must be occasionally rallied. Flewelling, who will use his voice on those matters most dear to him, can be reached at brian.atac@gmail.com.
