Heroes are courageous. They do the right thing when nobody is watching. Their actions are not self serving. They are humble and few wish to receive praise for their heroic acts. For many, the accolades they receive are a bit embarrassing.
Heroes are the brave men and women who leave their families for faraway lands and protect our freedoms as Americans. Heroes are the brave men and women in blue, who patrol the streets and hope their next traffic stop is not their last. Heroes are the brave men and women who run into the fire to save a family from absolute tragedy.
Heroes are brave men like John Levitow. John Levitow was an Air Force Loadmaster during the Vietnam War. In 1969, the AC-47 Spooky aircraft he was flying on, was hit by a mortar round that destroyed part of the aircraft and severely injured many of the men on board. When the attack occurred, a live flare was thrown from the hand of his crewmate. It was rolling around the aircraft floor and was dangerously close to ammunition cans that contained 19,000 rounds of live ammunition. Fighting against the 30 degree bank that the aircraft was flying, he pulled his shrapnel ridden body to the flare, dragged it to the cargo door, and threw it out within seconds of it detonating.
In 1970, he was awarded The Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is the United States' highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.
In 1970, he was awarded The Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is the United States' highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.
I had the honor of once listening to John Levitow speak. He said, "I am no hero. I am just a man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
John Levitow was a humble, courageous man, who did the right thing when nobody was looking and who did not want to receive praise for his actions. John Levitow was a true hero.
I think it is easier to say who are heroes then to say who is not. Athletes may not be heroes to you, but what about those athletes who created a career out of nothing. There may be children who are in the same position as the athlete once was and might feel that is impossible to get to that level. That child or young adult may think that athlete had courage and achieved a lot to become so successful. I do not have any athletes as heroes, but it is just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI guess the definition of a hero could be based on personal perception. I can definitely see your point that a child might look up to an athlete, because he or she came from humble beginnings and made a success of their lives. To a certain degree, I still would argue that in most, but not all cases, athletes are role models, as opposed to heroes. The key reason is that a hero is not self serving. His actions are for the benefit of other people, whereas a role model has worked to improve his own life. His actions are for the betterment of himself, not necessarily others. Are there some athletes who could be considered heroes? Absolutely, but they are few and far between. Pat Tillman comes to mind. He quit playing for the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the army after 9/11. He turned his back on almost $4M, so he could help fight the War on Terror. His being a hero does not come from what he did as an athlete, but what he did as an American.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I think that everyone has their own view on who are what they see as heroes. Although heroes normally share similar qualities, people have differences in what they consider to be a hero. From reading you're blog I can see how an athlete does not match the hero of a soldier. Athletes go through touch obstacles and much training but it is accomplish a goal. I wouldn't say all athletes put their lives on the line as much as soldiers or others. I tend to hear people say that they view athletes more as role models and not heroes.
ReplyDeleteI agree that a hero can be what you make it. A hero can range from a brave soldier to a loving parent. I think being a hero means putting someone else's needs before yours, even if it is the ultimate price to pay. That's what heroes in reality have in common with literary heroes; they always seem to be goodhearted and willing to sacrifice everything. Also, literary heroes tend to be brave as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing John Letivow's story of courage and heroism. As someone who has family in the military and law enforcement, I greatly appreciate it when they are shown respect.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part I agree with you most athletes aren't heroes. However in my opinion a hero is individual to each person. For me a hero is someone you look up to or someone you aspire to be like so a hero to me might not be a hero to someone else.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Being good at sports or other athletic things is great, but it's not the same as being a hero. But, what people consider 'heroic' is subjective, so I can see why not everyone would agree.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone has their own "hero". Ask a child who their hero is and they will say "mommy" or "daddy".
ReplyDeleteThey don't know the definition of hero is, they just know what it feels like to be loved and taken care of, and that is why they say "my mommy is my hero because... she helps me with my homework" ect.
I think many people are heros, whether their job be to serve our country, fight fires or lock up the bad guys. Hero... someone who saves you. Who has helped save you?
When you wanted to do something stupid who was their to "save" you and talk you out of it; a friend, family member, teacher? Hero's are much more than holding weapons and putting out fires.
I agree that everyone's definition of a hero differs and I would certainly never tell anyone that someone shouldn't consider someone they admire, their hero. This post, of course, is merely my perspective on why I do not think athletes should be considered heroic. If you view an athlete as a hero because of his philanthrophic endeavors and not because he scored in the Superbowl, then I could definitely agree, he might be a hero.
ReplyDeleteThe definition of a hero is probably one of literatures most controversial topic. I believe a hero is someone who doesn't cheat to achieve their goals. Those who are powerful and strong and brave and for common day purposes soldiers have a lot of guts going behind the battle fronts. But it seems like more often then not all heroes are fictional sadly. Besides those that serve us and our country.
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