Author | Alex Woolf |
Qualities of a Hero
In the day of The Avengers and The Justice League, often times we look to fantasy for a role model, for bravery, for our heroes. But need we look that far? The answer is no. When you stop and think about it, you would probably agree that you know or have heard of real life heroes. Yet, these people are not the ones we idolize, it’s the musicians, actors, and famous people. So, why is that you may ask? Good question and if you find out, let me know. For me at least, I have the greatest respect for people of our time who changed lives drastically, or maybe even saved them.
So, before you disagree with me and say that, in fact, artistic works of these famous people have saved lives, brought about change, and made the world a better place, I have a few stories I want you to hear first.
April of 2014, 19-year-old Christian Gunter, manager at a local veterans home for disabled and injured men from war, felt a loyalty to these brave soldiers. When a devastating tornado ripped through Arkansas, he sprung into action as it headed straight for the home at increasing speeds. In dangerous winds and debris, Christian managed to load all 10 of the home’s remaining residents into a van and carry them to safety at a nearby church. Courage is born from a strong spirit, often shown in the most adverse of situations. The decision that there’s something more important than your fear is what this Christian young man had to make, and is a quality that defines a hero.
In January of 2014, a suicide bomber approached a nearby Pakistani high school.
When 17-year-old Aitzaz Hasan caught sight of this man, packed with 13 pounds of explosives in a jacket around his waist, he reacted. In an attempt to halt this man’s mission, he challenged the bomber to a physical duel.
The cowardly bomber had little intention of tussling with Aitzaz and detonated the bomb soon after the brawl began. Aitzaz was a well-known young man and liked by so many, and his tragic death was mourned throughout the country. His actions saved 1,500 of his fellow highschool students and kept these students from suffering the same way. His decision not only proved his courage, but revealed a selflessness which we can never comprehend. The willingness to sacrifice everything for another, as Aitzaz did, shows the true character behind this young man.
In November, 2010, the Medal of Honor was given to the first living recipient since the Vietnam war. Salvatore ‘Sal’ Giunta is no doubt a hero of his decade. Though he published a well-known novel (Living with Honor: A Memoir.) about his experiences, this man truly could not get enough recognition.
In October of 2007, at the age of 22, Sal and his platoon were abroad in Afghanistan in a Valley known for its death toll, Korengal Valley.
An ambush on his platoon took them all by surprise and three soldiers were hit. Bullets passing by them and the enemy in sight, he and a fellow soldier rushed towards fallen men as they began to bleed out. Sal was hit twice in the chest in pursuit, but thanks to his armor it left only his gun in pieces. Because of their decision to rush into the field, they managed to reach the men in time and patch them up before their wounds became fatal. Retreat brought about the survival of these men and the ability to re-group for a successful counterattack. This is one of the many moments in this man’s life where loyalty for his fellow men proved stronger than his fear, the driving force behind his courage.
In 2016, only 21-years-old at the time, Rukhsana and her older brother (Name not given), had to make a choice we all fear making----choosing the ones we love or the enemies life. The siblings and their parents ran a quaint farm outside of Jammu, India, but their seclusion did not equal safety. When miliantants came with the sole object of marrying Rukhsana to one of them, the parents refused. Their anger doubled at their dismissal and they began beating the parents mercilessly. By their parents’ orders, they had hidden under the bed, but as soon as cries erupted from their parents, they didn’t hesitate. From behind the assailant, Rukhsana grabbed him by the hair, forced his head into the wall, and then opened gunfire onto him, whilst her brother chased the other two men from the house with a spray of bullets. As Rukhsana said in a later interview, “I thought I should try the bold act of encountering militants before dying.” The thought of dying did not plague her, nor did the idea of facing militants because she knew the costs had she not interfered. Knowing the consequences of cowardice, the siblings knew they had no choice and this belief of, not “what if I don’t?” but rather, “I have to act” is what allowed them to act so bravely.
After listening to each of these stories, it becomes apparent that the qualities of a hero are rarely found within modern day, much less pop culture. Around the world, we can see each of these heroes deciding that there's something more important than their fear, even themselves. They react not as most people would but with selflessness, a sense of duty for the people they are protecting, and the inward knowledge that there's something greater they must accomplish.
I shudder to think of being in such situations, yet, a part of me can't help to think of my own reacts in those situations. Are we all built to be heroes? People have such a warped sense of what bravery looks like that I believe we have lost sight of the people we should idolize. So, for the people we believe are heroes, how would they react? Truly we may never know, but it's important to see our world from a perspective beyond our own because there are heroes all around- we just have to keep our eyes open to them.