The Decisions of a Hero

Throughout life, ordinary people can do heroic deeds but do not classify themselves as a hero, may be a hero but do not want to be one, or they may even be a hero without knowing it themselves. When the topic of Heroism or what it means to be a hero comes up, most people may think of there favorite football player or the “Super Hero” on the big screen, but no. A real hero is someone who does heroic tasks persistently without being asked and doing so for nothing in return. Heroes are the people who will never turn down an opportunity to do something for the greater good of others and while others are cowering in fear, heroes are brave and reliant, and do not move along with the crowd but instead break off from the …show more content…
Many people fall under this category but one of the more known heroes of society would be none other than Martin Luther King Jr. himself. Born on January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. was a man who transformed the world with his speeches and his power public speaking. One of King’s many accomplishments in his lifetime was acting as the sole voice for African American rights during the 1960’s. His work lead to the acceptance of blacks to American society and ended the segregation between colors. “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope”(Martin Luther King Jr.). Although his work lead to his assassination in 1968, his ideas have still left a great impact in American culture today. Another man who fought to change the social boundaries for a designated group of society would be Tristan E. Segers. Although his work is not as hardly known as MLK’s, he still managed to fight for people with disabilities. While in the U.S. Army back in 2010, Segers was patrolling in his armored vehicle when a homemade explosive exploded on the ground below. The explosion costed Segers his right leg. Since then he has recovered and now acts as a symbol for other disabled vets and gives them all a sign of hope. “I didn't do anything special but if the progress I have made motivates another wounded veteran to keep going then that’s great” (SB p. 58). To be a real …show more content…
Even though he was not known to most of the world, he changed the life and the perspective of others upon it while saving lives on 9/11. Known commonly as “The Man in the Red Bandanna”, Welles Crowther was working in the South Tower as the airliner crashed into the building. Although he was very capable of escaping to the lower floors of the buildings and save his own life, he spent the last hour of his life saving others from the wreckage. Persistently going to the upper floors and encouraging others to help if capable. Although his words were so simple, they acted as a strong voice for the survivors on the upper floors. “Everyone who can stand, stand now. If you can help others, do so” (Welles Crowther). While on the concept of heroes who make quick decisions on the field, there is none other than Clara Barton. Born in 1821, Clara Barton was a Civil War hero who aided the many wounded soldiers on the field. Very passionate for her work, Clara Barton commonly stated that this was what she was meant to do. “I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and nurse and feed them” (Clara Barton). Although she never did fight in any of the battles, she did give the Union soldiers a sign of hope during distress. The war was also only one of her major accomplishments in life as well as founding the Red Cross to help people in disaster and hopelessness.