Looking around at the old Franklin Press building the other day, I spotted a few old Air Force photographs and several plaques still hanging on the wall.
One Distinguished Service plaque had Tommy Sylvester's name on it, in recognition of his work as the local Rotary Club's bulletin editor back in 2000, among other efforts, I'm sure.
That award particularly grabbed my attention since I'm currently in that role; the weekly newsletter is dedicated to Sylvester.
The plaque also brought to mind an old George Jones song: "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?"
That song was referring to legendary country musicians, but the premise is applicable to community members as well.
There are the obvious ones: Steve Southard, George Hubbard, Bill Kenner, Gene Henton, Randy Scott and Monte Hodges, to name a few.
Still yet, there are plenty who plug away behind the scenes, and we take for granted their work will continue after they're gone.
Who will combine skill, attention to detail, pride in his work the way Larry Morris does when preparing the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex fields and the local high school gridirons?
Who will champion the Charles Strong Recreation Center and provide participants with successful programs as Freddy Ware does?
Who will run the Blytheville/Gosnell Area Food Pantry effectively as Dale and/or Cindy Ruddick have for years?
Who will be the next Vera James, keeping local history alive each February with a unique exhibit on the journey of African-Americans in the Mississippi Delta?
Who will be a dedicated leader of the volunteer Blytheville Emergency Squad as Mike Godsey has been all these years?
Who will take the baton from the Echols family and continue the important Blytheville Community Samaritan Ministry?
Who will continue the H.I.S. outreaches started by Terri Brassfield -- programs that meet a wide variety of needs in the community?
Who will continue the fundraisers for St. Jude, Relay for Life, etc. as ESA and other groups have throughout the years?
Who will carry on Meals on Wheels and other crucial senior programs?
Who will run the mom and pop businesses that understand the value of customer service?
Who will be that sweet elderly lady who works to make sure everything is prepared for the church service and the youth minister that pours his or her heart into young people?
Who will make sure the local civic clubs continue to function and do good work in the Blytheville area?
Who will serve and protect, running to danger when everyone is running away from it, as police officers and firemen do?
Who will continue the work of agencies like the Haven, Red Cross and United Way?
I could go on and on; these are just a few examples.
It's far from an all inclusive list.
I appreciate all those who perform those roles and others, as well as their predecessors.
It's easy to take them for granted and we shouldn't.
Someone, someday will have to fill their big shoes.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com