Yesterday’s White House ceremony awarding the prestigious Medal of Honor to Salvatore Giunta got me started thinking about heroes, people who go beyond the expected, who put their courage to the test and sometimes their life on the line to help others or make a difference in the world. President Obama called him heroic, but also humble. “He'll tell you that he didn't do anything special, that he was just doing his job, that any of his brothers in the unit would do the same thing," Obama said. “He just lived up to what his team leader instructed him to do years before: ‘You do everything you can.’” I think that’s a great definition of a courageous hero: just doing what needs to be done, facing down the odds, the threats, the fears and just going forward.
Our society often considers professional athletes our heroes. I think this dates back to ancient Celtic times when warring chieftains had personal champions. These warriors, highly trained and greatly esteemed, were sometimes called upon to engage in hand-to-hand combat against the champion of an opposing king or chieftain. This match was used as a substitute for pitched battle between two armies, with victory determining which side ultimately prevailed in the conflict. I think we in modern society view our Trail Blazers or our Mariners, our 49ers or our Ducks as the champions for our own little fiefdoms. Believe me -- I have experienced the highs and lows that come with following a sports team. But unlike medieval times, which team wins or loses these sports battles is really inconsequential. And although these young athletes often work very hard to perfect their skills, sometimes overcoming difficult challenges, very few of them are true heroes. Most of them are motivated by the financial rewards, not altruism.
Most of us will never have the opportunity to save a life, or will never be asked to put our own lives in jeopardy by trying to save others, as did Staff Sergeant Giunta. Most of us will never have the combination of physical size and athletic ability to compete with Kobe Bryant or Peyton Manning. But I believe we all have the opportunity to be heroic, to show courage and fortitude and strength of will in the face of challenges.
I’m thinking of friends I know who have been unemployed for many months, years even. My friend Michael, who finally found work after two years of searching, had to sell his house, live with friends, lost nearly everything. But he kept applying for work, taking the next step, when the temptation to just give up had to be overwhelming. I celebrate his heroism and his victory.
I’m thinking of friends who have faced or are facing incredible health challenges. My friend Marilyn recently spent a month in the hospital following very extensive surgery to remove a tumor. She has been such a source of inspiration and wisdom for so many people; reading the comments posted on her CaringBridge site confirmed how many lives she has touched. I know that throughout the daunting task of recovery and recreating her life she will continue to inspire and touch others by her great courage and strength of character. She and I visited yesterday for the first time since her surgery: she knows she has many challenges ahead but stated it is worth the fight to chose life. I am moved and inspired by her, and I know her battle will help give me strength for my own journey.
As an ironic aside, when I was researching the history of “heroes,” one source mentioned that mythological heroes often had “close but conflicted” relationships with the gods and were often tormented by them. Marilyn has spent much of her career working in spirituality, giving retreats and classes. She is a living example of Teresa of Avila’s challenge to God: “If this is the way you treat your friends, it is no wonder you have so few.” I feel certain this will give Marilyn a good chuckle.
I think of my sister, a grade school principal, and the many other teachers I know. Most don’t literally put their lives at risk but many of them are incredibly dedicated and work long hours, often sacrificing other things, to encourage children to learn life skills that will help them become adults who can fulfill their own destinies and contribute to our world. I know sometimes it is a thankless task but they just keep putting one foot in front of the other, taking the next step, doing their jobs, doing what they can.
Here’s to my heroes: people who face down their fears and frustrations, who keep fighting when it seems hopeless, who choose life and are willing to do battle against all odds to defeat darkness and despair. These are people who can’t always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but they have faith that it is there. Their courage and strength inspire me, and that’s what heroes do!
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