Saluting the essential workers, unsung heroes braving snow & ice to keep us safe | Opinion
I grew up in, and later married into a family of folks who are mandatory employees. That means they had to go to work no matter the weather circumstances. From nurses to prison staff to hospital employees, my family has long been on the front lines of winter storm working.
And so, in Kansas City’s first blizzard (and I hope the last) of 2025, my hat is off to those first responders or people who are called in to work even in the most dangerous of road conditions. We appreciate you and we need you.
Let’s look at one.
The Kansas Highway Patrol posted on X Sunday: “Join the ranks of extraordinary individuals who don’t just weather the storm but walk through it to help others. We’re looking for steadfast people ready to make a difference, snow, rain, or shine.”
“Trooper Ben” is one of those individuals. Ben Gardner describes himself on his LinkedIn profile as a “husband, father, social media influencer, and Kansan by choice.” He’s also one of those Kansans who goes to work in the best of times and the worst of times.
This week, it’s been pretty bad. As the KHP’s public information officer, Gardner has become pretty savvy with social media, and uses X and LinkedIn to inform and alert drivers. He has 100,000 followers. But in addition, Gardner also gives some attaboys to the other troopers, like he did for Jason Frazier who reported the conditions of I-135 at mile marker 65, just north of McPherson early Monday morning.
“He’s been out since 3 AM, like many troopers across Kansas, driving his designated section of highway looking for stranded motorists,” Gardner posted on X.
In past snowstorms, I have seen a lot more love going out to the snow plow drivers on social media, with kids making colorful signs and offering hot beverages to the men and women clearing their streets, but I’m not seeing as much this time.
It’s early, so let’s share the love to the drivers clearing our streets.
But many of you who do important but difficult work in all weather conditions, can go unnoticed. What about the nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit or the cooks who prepare food for patients? What about postal and delivery employees? Drivers and food delivery who often don’t get paid if they don’t work.
If you know someone who had to work during the blizzard, email a paragraph about them and what they do to ywalker@kcstar.com
Before COVID-19 and technology-enabled remote working, all journalists used to be part of this group. But now, it’s the most intrepid of reporters, weather journalists and storm chasers who still brave the temps, the wind and the snow and ice. Many of us, including myself, are able to work from home if we need to.
Those hard workers out there who get the job done in all temperatures, I salute you.
