The worst times bring out the best in us. Before we go back to bashing each other over politics, let’s salute all those who rose to Florence.

Salute first the responders who are always there first.

Salute the thousands of volunteers who saved lives (human and animal), served meals and succored those in need.

Salute the thousands of government employees who worked 12- and 18-hour days.

Salute the utility workers who risked life and limb – or worked long hours away from home – to get power restored, cable back on and that great essential, Internet service, back up.

Salute everyone who went to work so we could get gas, food and groceries.

Salute the media for heading into the storm so we would know what was happening. My go-to station, WRAL, did its usual extraordinary job. And, given all the complaining I’ve done, I salute the staff of the N&O. Despite depleted resources, they did an incredible job providing constantly updated reports online. A special salute to reporter Andrew Carter for that remarkable photo (iPhone, no less) of the New Bern man with his kitten, Survivor.

A salute to Governor Cooper and his team. They said the right things, set the right tone and were at the right places.

A salute to you all – and to many more not mentioned.

At some point, the waters will recede. Unfortunately, so will our spirit of sacrifice and shared humanity. We’ll start sniping, polarizing and politicizing.

But just as floodwaters leave their mark, maybe our storm memories will mark us. Maybe some politicians will see how we yearn to come together, not be driven apart. Maybe some leaders will speak to the best in us, not the worst.

That would be worth saluting.