When it comes to the tragedy of September 11, the story of heroism is a powerful one. On that day, a group of firefighters and 60 police officers rescued hundreds of people from the rubble of the World Trade Center, but they weren’t alone. Thousands more came to the aid of the injured. The efforts of these brave men and women earned them the title of hero. Whether they were in a fire truck or a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, their actions saved lives.
In real life, heroes can be anyone – from siblings to saints. It doesn’t matter what your age or background is, as long as you act when the need is great. Heroes are people who can be scared, but act regardless of their fears. They have a moral compass that tells them the right thing to do. No matter what the circumstances are, heroes are often the most unlikely to have superpowers. Despite these limitations, they still inspire people.
Some heroes have extraordinary strengths. Their ability to face adversity and achieve success is above average. In addition, they have better coping skills than average people and may be able to overcome fear and overcome adversity. Heroic people may be positive thinkers who can see the best possible outcome. This is a sign that they can deal with adversity. In a crisis, heroes may be the people most likely to come through unscathed.
Heroism exemplifies the desire to help those in need. Whether a sports hero carried a team to an award-winning season or won a gold medal in an Olympic event, a hero’s life touches every person. They are the heartbeat of humanity. And the world needs more heroes like these! It’s no secret that heroes are vital to the health of our society. But how can we honor these heroes?
There are many sources for the term “hero”. In the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word hero has a Proto-Indo-European root of *ser, meaning “to protect”. This can be compared to the Latin word seruare, which means ‘to safeguard’. However, other sources reject this Indo-European derivation and insist that it has a pre-Greek origin. Hera was the goddess of protection and was worshipped by people who interpreted the word as originating from pro-Indo-European.
Students in grades six and eight can access the hero profiles on the internet. Choose one hero profile and use it as a basis for a hero project. Make sure to break into small groups of five or six. Discuss the project and the hero profiles and make sure to refer back to them for additional details. There is a huge range of books available for young readers and they may even be able to find something that piques their interest.
Another characteristic of a hero is that he or she does not seek personal glorification. Instead, he or she uses the attention he or she gets to perpetuate his or her accomplishments. A hero’s efforts benefit not only the individual, but also society as a whole. A hero does not expect financial compensation for their heroic actions. However, when they are acting to protect their country, the hero is willing to take a risk despite the risks.