After the Fort McMurray wildfire erupted on May 3, the legendary rock group The Who acknowledged the plight of evacuees to Canadian audiences during its current North American tour through a huge screen backdrop display of the Alberta flag as the band introduced its 1972 hit song Join Together.
The scribbler was at the May 10 concert in Calgary, and the sold-out audience at the Saddledome enthusiastically appreciated The Who's acknowledgement. Some of them might have been Fort McMurray evacuees.
The immediate crisis following the first May 3 evacuation of the municipality's 88,000 citizens was of course worldwide news. Out of this tragedy came many extraordinary stories of courage, strength and hope. It spoke to the remarkable spirit of Albertans who demonstrated to everyone they will persevere, that they are forever Alberta Strong. It was also a message that Albertans will rally behind their own without second thoughts. This selfless display of generosity and helping others was noted and envied across the planet.
For professional journalists covering this type of story, there is the urge to jump on board the bandwagon of goodwill. But for most veterans of this profession there is always a sense of resistance as our calling is always to be objective, cover the news straight up from every angle to ensure accuracy, fairness and balance. As much as we may want to inside, we cannot be seen as cheerleaders, difficult as it sometimes can be.
Last week, I found myself pulled inside the Alberta Strong spirit after logging on to The Who's official website at www.thewho.com.
There was a plea on the site's chatboard asking if anyone had any spare Who T-shirts for a brother who had lost everything in the Fort McMurray wildfire. I immediately responded privately to the poster, that yes, I did have some extra T-shirts. Three days I later I received a call from a Calgarian named Leslie, who posted the request on The Who chatboard. She told me about her brother Larry, a kind, generous and humble man who had lived and worked in Fort Mac for more than 30 years before “the beast” destroyed his home, nine vintage cars and of course his entire CD collection and Who T-shirts. And then came something remarkable, beyond coincidence.
Leslie told me she and Larry grew up in the Alta Vista area of Ottawa. So did I. Larry and I went to the same schools. We had so much more in common than our love for The Who.
A few nights later Larry called me. We had a nice chat. Yes, he lost everything but there was no moaning from Larry.
“There were more than 2,400 buildings and homes destroyed,” said Larry, who was in Ottawa taking a break before this week's return home to Fort McMurray. “There are a lot of people worse off than me.”
That's a true Alberta Strong message. As for me, I shipped off a box of Who T-shirts and CDs to Larry on May 26. Yes, The Who is back for Fort Mac.
I had jumped on the bandwagon. There is an approving smile somewhere.
