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What's In A Hero?

1/10/2011

4 Comments

 
Picture
What is a hero? Do you have a favorite? One hero that always jumps to my mind is Superman. Meek. Mild-mannered. A true gentleman. But also strong and courageous and willing to do anything for the woman he loved. The kind of hero that could pluck a kitten from the top of a tree and still manage to save the damsel tied to the railroad tracks. An old-fashioned kind of hero.

But what’s in a hero today? In a world where so many Hollywood superstars have proven themselves only too shallow and greedy, and the media all too eager to show the ugliness of mankind, I’m always on the look-out for the kind of Superman that deserves to be called a hero; to offer our youth a real life role-model.

In the wake of the terror that struck Arizona this last weekend, when a lone gunman shot and killed six beautiful people and gravely wounded his intended victim, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords as well as several others, some real heroes stepped to the forefront. They didn’t claim to be heroes. They didn’t want or enjoy the instant fame the media offered them for their role. They had merely seen an opportunity to stop the carnage and help their fellow man.

Bill Badger, a retired army colonel had stopped to meet and greet Congresswoman Giffords. At the sound of gunfire, he hit the ground, only to have a bullet graze the back of his head. Despite his injury, upon seeing the gunman empty his first clip and attempt to reload, he sprang into action, followed by Roger Salzgeber. And while they fought to keep the gunman subdued, 61-year-old Patricia Maisch jumped in to keep the new clip of ammunition out of reach, preventing the attacker from claiming more lives.

In the midst of the chaotic aftermath, Daniel Hernandez, an intern for the Congresswoman, rushed to her side, setting her up and putting pressure on her wound; holding her, comforting her, until help could arrive. The news media said, because of his quick and precise actions, he is credited with saving Congresswoman Giffords’ life.

I applaud these heroes. They are my Supermen and Superwoman! They aren’t the Hollywood idols, seeking fame and glitz, they are people like you and me; people that overcame their fear in a time of need, seeing a job that needed to be done and doing it. Without their intervention that day, there surely would have been many more funerals. They are people of character. And these are the characteristics I hope to bring to my heroes in my books. Real Heroes.

Tell me about your heroes!

Thanks for joining me today.
C.K. Volnek

4 Comments
S.Durham link
1/10/2011 02:39:31 pm

Bravo Charlie, for focusing on the 'Hero's' in this tragedy. It's refreshing to hear about the 'good' that arose instinctively within these ordinary people, instead of trying to cast blame, and 'make sense' of the nebulous and often complex factors, which led up to this very sad event in the first place.

Wonderful blog and website, btw.

Cheers, Sara

Reply
C.K. Volnek
1/11/2011 12:50:20 am

Thanks for stopping by Sara. Appreciate your comments. I agree that too many times, the good is overlooked and I was just so inspired by these simple people's heroic measures.

Thanks again.
C.K. Volnek

Reply
Arlene Webb
1/11/2011 11:06:30 am

I used to live in Tucson and know one of those heroes. I very much wish he never learned he could be, is a hero. It must have been awful, looking into that young man's face. I can't imagine living in this world without people that react, do the right thing. Thank you for drawing attention to them.
You've a lovely website.
Congrats on the Muse contracts too!

Reply
C.K. Volnek
1/11/2011 11:16:25 am

Thanks for your comments Arlene. the world seems so much smaller when something like this happens and then you meet someone who knows one involved. I pray for their peace. I agree, it must have been a horrifying experience. Thanks for sharing.
C.K. Volnek

Reply



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    Ghost Dog of  Roanoke Island
    - a tween ghost story with a twist of Native American Folklore and based on the real life mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island.

    Available in Print and E-book
    Picture
    View the Book Trailer for Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbJEF9TjZzo

    A Horse Called Trouble
    A troubled teen must overcome her abused past to save the defiant horse who taught her to love and trust again.
    Available in  Print and e-book
    Picture
    View the book trailer for 
    A Horse Called Trouble

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    Hi. I'm C.K. Volnek, Author and Story teller. I love books and photography, dogs and horses, hiking and tulips, kids, pasta, sunsets and of course…writing. Please come back often and share your passion in writing.. 

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