I think of a hero as someone who understands
the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom. Heroism is
not just pulling a child from a burning house, a driver from an icy river,
or a kitten from a tall tree. Heroism is holding the door for a frail elderly person,
driving courteously and cooperatively and listening with an attentive heart to
a friends words. Small, daily acts of love are as heoric as big once in a lifetime
acts of rescue. True heroism is remarkably sober and very undramatic. It is not
the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at
whatever cost. A hero is someone who commits a courageous act without considering
the consequences. A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to
persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
THE AMERICAN FIREFIGHTER- It took 9/11 to remind us of what we take for granted. The
men and women who risk their lives saving the lives of others. We will always remember
the photo of our firefighters raising the flag on the rubble of ground zero, just as we
revere the image of our marines planting the flag at Iwo Jima. We will never forget
their heroism, nor that of the police, the paramedics and the emergency workers. We vow
to keep in mind that these men and women perform heroic acts fo simple kindness every
single day. Thank you American Firefighters and all you brothers and sisters!