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A true hero isn’t attracted to glory.

But anyone who’s been on the receiving end of a heroic act knows that their humility is no excuse to neglect our gratitude.

That’s why we’re big fans of the annual Missoulian “Hometown Heroes” edition. It not only gives us an outlet to publicly express thanks to thunsung-heroe heroes in our lives, but we also learn quite a bit about the measure of the men and women whom we (sometimes unknowingly) work and play alongside each and every day.

Sometimes a hero puts his or her safety on the line to help save lives. Sometimes they’re just community visionaries who help solve problems previously deemed unsolvable. Sometimes a hero is simply that family member, friend or neighbor who says and does just the right thing to add a little light to the darkness.

Volunteers, coaches, nurses, teachers – our Hometown Heroes are those unsung people who make Missoula a better place to live, work and play. It’s important we take the time to honor them, and we thank the Missoulian for giving us a great outlet to do so.

If you have a Hometown Hero you’d like to be recognized, nominate him or her HERE.

You don’t have to be a wildland firefighter to know it’s not the most glamorous of jobs.

Hard physical labor under incredible pressure in suffocating heat far, far away from home? Yeah, no thanks. We’re doing just fine sleeping at our desk.
So when we lose a peer who put his or her life on the line for our sake, we feel a strange mixture of pride and guilt. Pride in the unbelievable heroics and sacrifice of humanity; guilt that someone gave their life, literally, to protect our comfortable lifestyle.

That’s exactly where we found ourselves upon hearing of the death of Justin Beebe.

Beebe, 26, was killed by a falling tree while fighting fire with the Lolo Hotshots in eastern Nevada last August.

According to the story, he left his home in Vermont with a stash of his family’s maple syrup and as he interviewed with fire crews he left a can behind – a memento of gratitude.

His endearing ways caught the attention of Shawn Faiella, assistant superintendent for the Lolo Hotshots. Seven months later, Beebe was killed.


 

So what do we do with this strange blend of pride and guilt?

The easiest way to handle it is the way we’ve learned to handle all hard truths – read about it, share a frown or two with coworkers and loved ones, and then forget about it. But that doesn’t allow for a meaningful manifestation of either emotion.

So how about this: How about today, instead of dwelling in the easy-to-dismiss toxic guilt, we feel instead a healthy sense of guilt – the appropriate kind that leads to empathy and compassion?

And how about we transform our internal pride into an external sense of gratitude? How about we show Beebe’s family, his peers on the Lolo crew and their families – in fact, all the great firefighters, military service members and first responders – that we really do appreciate what they do?

Some of you already undertake this important responsibility, and for you we are also thankful. But some of us know we could do better – and there’s never a better time to step up and start doing so than now.


Tomorrow night, join us at Lolo Peak Brewing Company for a special Beebe memorial and fundraiser for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

WFF provides financial support to the families of firefighters who are injured or die in
the line of action, including both immediate assistance with medical, transportation and funeral costs as well as long-term grief recovery and support.

The brewery has committed to donating a dollar of every pint sold 6-9 pm to the foundation, and members of the Lolo Hotshots will raise even more money through a live raffle.

Brewery managers have promised a large fire, and of course you’re always encouraged to partake in the brewery’s amazing pub fare.

So come eat, have a little fun, give a little time, give a little money. They’ll feel a little better and you’ll feel a little better – we guarantee it.

For more information about Wednesday’s memorial and fundraiser, call 493-6231.

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A beer worth drinking …

Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem across Montana …

… and unless you’re a doctor or have some training and education in addictions counseling there’s really not much you can do about it.

us-epidemic-drug-detoxBut community crises call for community action, so it’s imperative that we all do what we can to chip away – no matter how insignificant the action may seem.

That’s why Jack 5 is proud to promote this weekend’s 12th annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Nearly 70 percent of prescription drug abusers get their drugs not from a doctor, but from friends and family members. Which means you can do a lot to reduce the risk of prescription drug abuse just by ensuring your medications don’t end up in the wrong hands.

Stop by Southgate Mall any time Saturday between 10 am and 2 pm to drop off your unused medications. Just a small way you can protect your friends, your family, and your entire community. If you’re not in Missoula, find out your closest drop-off site HERE.

And if you can’t make it to the Take-Back event on Saturday, check out this list of permanent drug drop box locations.

Last year, nearly 3,000 pounds of prescription drugs were collected and destroyed in Montana on Take-Back Day. Let’s do it again.

Hey Jack listeners – feeling lucky?

If not, you best start rubbing one of those weird furry rabbit foot thingies because we’re giving away $105 in scratch lotto tickets each week through the month of October!

How do you qualify?

Tune in the Jack FM 105.9 every weekday and when you hear the sound of the jackpot just text “Jackpot” to 848-1059.

We’ll pick a new winner each Friday in October!

Text as many times as you want for your chance to get lucky with Montana Lottery and 105.9 Jack FM Missoula!

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JACKPOT Giveaway!
Jack FM’s BIG GAME GIVEAWAY!

Hunting season is just around the corner! 105.9 Jack FM wants you to get ahead of…..ahem… THE game…By hooking you up with some great prizes!
-$500 gift certificate to Trader Brothers
-$500 freezer from Fred’s Appliance
-Lots and lots of Jack FM gear

 

Stop by Trader Brothers in Lolo off of HWY 93 to enter…or sign up here!

 

Fill out my online form.