Missoula is Brave

Did you hear about this? I was watching the local news Thursday morning before work and couldn’t believe what I was hearing and seeing. The story seemed unreal.

Two nights prior, a lady was being attacked on the Higgins Street Bridge and was calling for help. Three men heard her cries and came rushing to her aid from below the bridge and scared off the attacker. The men then chased the attacker through Caras Park, where another man who was playing football threw the football at the attacker and hit him in the head, knocking him to the ground. It seems after the attacker was down he was beat up by some anonymous people until the police arrived.

I don’t know about you but I think this story is awesome. Why don’t they put this on the National news? This type of story makes me proud to call Missoula my home. People stepping up and doing what’s right, I believe is a much more accurate picture of our town than what was portrayed by the National news recently.

Missoula is made up of good, hardworking, brave, loving and caring people. It’s a shame that isn’t how we’re viewed by outsiders. Those of us who live here know the truth. That we’re the ones who aren’t afraid to step in and help a stranger, treat each other with kindness and care for our neighbors.

To everyone who played a part in helping to catch the attacker and came to the woman’s aid, you are all heroes. You represent what makes this community so great. Thank you all.

Joy Larson is a mother of four boys, graduate of the University of Montana, animal lover and writer.