No One Plans To Be A Hero

This is one of those weeks when heroes are remembered. And they should be. In case you haven't checked, Thursday is Independence Day when we celebrate the beginning of our country and a freedom that few other nations know. And since that official beginning, people have given their all, sometimes in death, to help keep our country free, prosperous and a place where people all over the world would like to live.

Unfortunately, there are always people somewhere, some who have benefitted greatly from living, working and playing here, who choose to criticize more than be thankful for what they've gained and enjoy day after day.

My dad was one of those who sacrificed. He won the Silver Star and Bronze Star for bravery. I never knew about it until well after his death when we were pulling together his things from his Army days. I found the Silver Star in an old military trunk under an Army-issued hat, coat and other miscellaneous items.

Many of these heroes, like dad, have of course passed on. There aren't many still around from WWII and less and less from the Korean War. Vietnam vets are my age and those years continue to take these heroes away as well.

But alive or not those who served and gave for us are still heroes and worth remembering. And yet none of them planned to be some kind of start. Heroes never do. A hero is what someone else calls you for your commitment, sacrifice and giving your all for the sake of others. Heroes don't give themselves that label. Others do.

Heroes don't usually want to talk about the often grim circumstances that led to their role as someone special. I'm guessing that's why dad never told us.

In a different setting, my kidney donor for my transplant eighteen months ago is now one of my heroes. I simply can't thank her enough, but she doesn't require more. And she's not the one calling herself a hero.

That's why it's irritating to see athletes, movie stars, famous musicians, writers, etc. motioning or saying to the audience how great they are and that they should adore them more. Unfortunately, a lot of young kids are emulating their favorites' preening after a touchdown, basket or music award.

But perhaps we at least spread the word and model it that, "No one plans to be a hero." The label hero is a reward for going the extra mile, not for oneself, but for others. And even if you do that, you may never receive the title. And that's okay because real heroes don't care about a title. They're content with doing what they know to be best, the right thing and if people of faith, what God asks of them.

Many will be remembered, but the memory of some will fade. And that's why we need holidays like the one this week. There's a common joke that suggests on May 4th, we say to people, "May the 4th (i.e. force) be with you." Well, it would also be appropriate on Thursday to remember that the people of July 4th will in a sense always be with us.

I tend to think that they'll not be here in some physical revisiting of the earth. That can be debated in another forum. But I feel pretty confident that their memory and sacrifice could always stay with us if we only had something, someone or some day to prompt our memory.

Oh, wait. We do. It's all day, Thursday, the 4th in the middle of the cookouts, park trips, band music and beer. What might we do to deepen the significance?

Thank a veteran, current or past. Appreciate them for their sacrifice.

Honor a veteran. It could be in front of neighbors or a church service or social group.

Tell or read your young kids a story about how our country got here. Read about the initial organization of this country and/or about someone like my dad who served.

Pray and thank God for these people who gave so much.

And if you feel led, tell someone that they're one of your heroes. Trust me, no one plans to be a hero but my guess is that they'd love to hear you say it.

May the 4th be with you. Enjoy.