Crises tend to bring one’s true character. The rising Mississippi River has made us all stand up and take notice, but it’s also spotlighted our community’s excellent leadership.

Last week as Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal visited the work being done to reinforce the Vidalia Riverfront we were impressed by some of the statements made, not by the governor, but by two long-time Concordia Parish leaders.

Sheriff Randy Maxwell, perhaps better than anyone else, put the mood of the community in perspective.

“I’m very, very comfortable that we’re going to win this war with the river,” he said. “I’ve got total and complete confidence with the levee board and the corps of engineers. We’re meeting with them constantly, and we’re all working together.”

Later, speaking directly with the governor, Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland confirmed Maxwell’s confidence.

“We’re going to save this riverfront, I can tell you that,” Copeland said. “Everybody has come together.”

Through this potentially disastrous situation, we see the heroes in our community.

Some are elected officials who are stepping up and offering reassuring words. Others are friends and neighbors who volunteer to help nervous residents relocate them or their property to higher ground.

Still others are the countless workers who suddenly become critical to our community in times of crisis.

The water is still rising, and we’re a long way from the end of the 2011 flood, however, we’re confident that our community’s heroes will continue to impress us with their calm, we-can-get-through-this-together attitude.