Eagles Talent Speakers Bureau Thanks the Heroes of Hurricane Sandy

I am continually amazed by the heroes who rise out of tragedy. Last week, our surrounding area in New Jersey (which we call home) and New York were hit by the powerful storm of Hurricane Sandy. While we begin the process of recovery, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the brave people who risked their own lives or was simply doing what they were trained to do…all to save someone else.

By now, you have seen the image of the nurses who were holding the NICU babies in their arms as they evacuated the New York University’s Langone Medical Center. Because the hospital lost power, these nurses held the babies in their arms from the top floors of the hospital to the ambulances, transferring them safely to other nearby hospitals. These nurses, who were just doing their job, did so much more, they saved lives–they gave an unimaginable gift to the parents of these babies.

Learn more about this story here on ABC’s coverage of the reuniting of these seven nurses: Claudia Roman, Nicola Zanzotta-Tagle, Margot Condon, Sandra Kyong Bradbury, Beth Largey, Annie Irace and Menchu Sanchez.

Another well-documented story about Jon Candelaria, a 25-year-old who was was in his apartment near the East River, saw a taxi outside caught in a rising flood. Without thinking twice, he rushed down into the street and saved the life of a complete stranger. Learn more about that story here.

In the keynote speaking industry, we work with many, many, everyday people, who have done extraordinary things (and believe me, it is personally impacting when these people become inspirational and motivational speakers and share their story); their common thread…they didn’t wake up in the morning planning to make the news for their single act of heroics. I truly get a chill down my spine every time I hear these real, dramatic stories–ones that make me realize how lucky I am–and that my ordinary-everyday task isn’t that difficult in comparison. These people, like the ones mentioned above are the true heroes. They helped others because it was the right thing to do–it is part of their DNA to make a split decision to save one or many people.

Eagles Talent Speakers Bureau wishes a quick recovery to our friends and neighbors here in NJ and NY. We also would like to take a moment to give thanks to those who did the extraordinary–and continue to do the extraordinary. We realize and celebrate the countless people involved, giving their time and energy to help this area–including many heroes that may never be mentioned in the news. Thank you.