When you ask people what is a hero? You may get different answers. Some might say anyone who fights fires or chases criminals and the soldier who defends our freedom I would agree because they put their lives on the line. And there are many more as well. I have never considered any athlete to be a hero as far as sports are concerned, or any movie star as far as acting is concerned because they are only using their talents nothing more. They may do things outside of movies and sports that can make them a hero. There is another hero that you don’t hear much about. They give up most if not all of their free time to selflessly help others. They are volunteers. They may help people or animals. Over the last couple of years I have been privileged to meet many of these great people who come from all walks of life to help animals. They may provide a foster home for animals waiting for a permanent home. They may have their own animal rescue. They may work at a local animal shelter, cleaning the pens, keeping it open so people can come in on the weekend to adopt and save a dog. They may transport dogs to help them reach their no kill shelter, new foster home or their new permanent home. Many hours are spent and the cost of expenses is out of their pocket. They give up a lot just to be able to help a few. It can be extremely frustrating at times. But they keep at it, everyday and weekend, tirelessly saving animal after animal. I take my hat off to you Animal Rescuer, Transport Coordinator, Animal Transporter, Animal Shelter Volunteer, Foster Home providers and the many others working behind the scenes. They are a true Hero, not someone who can act or is good with sports. Be a volunteer, whether working with people or animals. Who is your hero?
John, I am thankful that you and others look out for the animals and try to place them in good homes. I performed a dog rescue and transport a few months ago here in Iraq. The Military Instruction Transition Team (MITT) I serve on paid a visit to one of our companies near the Iran border. As we entered the gate I saw two puppies on the side of the protective barriers. When we stopped and got out of our gun trucks I ran back to the front gate and was able to capture one of the dogs. When we left to head back to our base we brought the puppy with us. After she grew a little she would accompany us out on missions and visits to our Iraqi Army units. She has become quite a smart “war” dog. She alerts us to any Iraqi who approaches our protective walls around our compound and loves to chase the remote controlled toys that family members send to our team members. We use to take her out more but began leaving her home after we got in to some fire fights with the bad guys. She continues to serve beside us and is always ready to go out of the wire with her soldiers. Not a bad dog.
But as for being a hero I think we both fall a little short. Who is my hero? Well sir the people who raise good kids and help keep the communities going strong. They have my vote!
hero, in Greek religion, famous person, who after his death, was worshiped as quasi-divine. The heroes might be actual great men and women, real or imaginary ancestors, or faded gods and goddesses (i.e., ancient gods who for some reason were demoted to human status). Homer treats his heroes as nobles and fighting men, but many Homeric heroes, such as Hector and Achilles, later became objects of worship. Hero cults were distinctly different from the attendance to the dead, which was meant only to afford comfort in the afterlife. In hero worship, as in the worship of all infernal powers, rituals were performed at night, black animals were sacrificed, and blood and other liquid offerings were poured beside the hero’s tomb. The worship centered in general on the supposed place of the hero’s tomb; the cult of some heroes, notably Hercules, was, however, widespread.
