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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Are We There Yet?

A Hero

(Let me preface this entry by writing that I am not attempting to diminish the acts of any person, but merely looking for the true meaning of a word.)

Last night my kids and I had dinner with my parents in their home. My dad and I were discussing the upcoming elections, debating who is the best candidate.

My dad asked, “Why do they call McCain a hero? He fought in a war and people call him a hero. I fought in a war, am I a hero?” (My father fought for the Dutch Army in the late 40's and early 50’s.)

I was defending the term by saying that maybe McCain rescued other soldiers. He was a prisoner of war and people may consider that an act of a hero. Also, people may feel that anyone who defends our country is a hero.

On the news, a fireman was called a hero because he saved an infant when he performed CPR. He said he was not a hero, just doing what he was trained to do. The baby’s mother probably considers the man a hero.

“Oh, you’re my hero.” This may be a response of a wife to her husband when he brings her a bucket of her favorite ice cream.

What is a hero? According to the Webster Dictionary, a hero is “one that shows great courage.”

Dictionary.com defines hero as “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities” and “a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.”

Do we overuse the term hero? Or is it a matter of opinion? In other words, your hero may not be mine?



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