On my way to Williamsport on Route 11 at 5 p.m. on Aug. 20, I came upon an accident. Three men from vehicles were rushing toward a small car that had flipped onto its roof, (both airbags deployed). An electric pole had been hit and broken with lines down. One lady came from her car to see what she could do. Another kept traffic at bay (the lane where people could turn around and depart). I asked if anyone had called 911 and one replied yes. Approaching the car, the men heard children. They immediately went to work to remove them from the car. Two young children were removed and walked with one of the men toward the lady who had opened her hatchback to lift them up so they could sit down, placing a light spread around them. The other two men were speaking to someone in the car. They then removed a tiny infant who was gently carried by one of the men to the lady with the other two children. A female was also removed from the car. Shaken, she was able to walk toward the children.

I’m writing this because the scene was like others we read about or hear on the news every day. When tragedy strikes, whether from highway accidents, floods or fires, people immediately come to the aid of those in need.

In this case, traffic was backing up but there were no horns blowing nor shouting nor derogatory language because they couldn’t get through the roadblock. I was concerned that an ambulance wouldn’t be able to get through so asked the men who’d left their vehicles to help if they’d move them to clear the lane. No problem. They immediately moved them. No one was taking pictures with cellphones. There weren’t curiosity seekers gathering. Everyone else stayed in their cars and, once they saw the children and woman had help and seemed stable, they continued on their journeys to just get out of the way.

Strangers working together. People being concerned, thoughtful, and civil. When I see things like this, I continue to wonder why Mr. Trump uses the slogan, “Make America Great Again.” The concerns expressed from this slogan are things that we continue to work at solving. Recurrent problems–nothing new. Each generation goes through difficult times and ours is no different. Each one has seen advancement in answering the needs of Americans, sometimes accompanied by decisions that didn’t work well. But our country has not faltered from being a great country — so how can we be great again?

I believe that the majority of Americans would have done what those who helped the woman and the three children on Route 11 did — stop on a highway when they see someone in need. That’s what has kept America great. And if someone is going to write a retort to my letter, give me a week so I can revel in the good in people before you begin your rant.

Anna Mary Walsh, of Shepherdstown