March 17, 2011
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Heroes
Everytime I think of the word “Heroes,” I am reminded of the David Bowie song, later performed by the Wallflowers. I also think about all the people who risk their lives everyday so that other people can live their lives. This would include law enforcement, firefighters and soldiers. It also includes ordinary citizens who’s extraordinary feat, saved lives.
The problem is, who are these people? What are their names? History remembers the tyrants, the conquerers and people of extraordinary feats, but does it remember the individuals who saved lives? Can you remember the names of the people on Flight 93 who went against the terrorists and made sure the plane was not used as a missile? I have to admit that I had to look it up as well.
Currently, 180 unnamed people are sent to contain and radiation from the power plant in Japan. If they succeed, how many people would remember who they are in say, 5 years? These people are literally walking to their deaths, being exposed to radiation levels that would in one way or another, alter their body and spike their chances of cancer exponentially.
I remember a couple of months ago when I read an article on Angelina Jolie–a person who gives whatever free time and money she has to help third world countries–yet many people criticize her for either not doing enough or doing it for attention and publicity. Maybe as little as 1 life has been saved by her–that in itself makes her a hero. How many people can say they have saved a life?
Anyway, my prayers go out to the people of Japan and the brave men and women who are trying to keep a disaster from happening. The world needs to acknowledge and remember their feats, but more importantly, the world needs more people like them.
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Comments (7)
agreed. what those guys are doing right now for the nuclear reactor is VERY dangerous business and they truly deserve the title of being a Hero.
however, on the bigger point, i think we are conditioned to view heroes in a certain way and therefore have certain expectations of them. the result is that we may be skipping out on people who don’t look like heroes but have the very antidotes that we need.
No one cares about the good guy, the bad guy is the person that is always remembered.
Absolutely. It seems our culture has become full of entitlement and people who believe it’s right as long as you get away with it. In such a world, I have come to have vast respect for those who simply take care of their responsibilities and offer help to the needy whom they encounter day-to-day.
Just a rumor, but I heard they’re all older, in their 50s and 60s so that they won’t live long enough too suffer the effects of cancer from the radiation which sets in later in life.
Brave people.
i heard of that today on the news and yes they are likely to be skillful men and older men since they already have children and they are technicians and firefighters that know the place inside out. its their job but for them to walk into all that is very brave of them knowing that they might not walk out of there. i am very sad to hear so much of Japan every single morning this week. my prayers go out for them and for their families.
would u call people that kick a foot ball goal a hero? i don’t
Doing it for attention or not, at least she’s doing something good and beneficial to other. Its better then the ones who sit in front of their television, feeling bad for people in Japan but do nothing to help.
Yes. It’s amazing what they are trying to do. I saw on CNN last night that there were army, police and other service workers who were joining the team to try and give the workers a break from the radiation. It’s…. more than just amazing. It’s heartbreaking.