What is a Hero?

31st May, 2010 - Posted by L. John Mason -

A definition of a Hero offered to me by my friend Rodger Ruge who is a veteran of law enforcement and a proven hero…

“A hero is a person who runs into a burning building or toward gunfire instead of away from the danger…” Most people react with self preservation rather than putting themselves in harms way and this is the act of bravery of a hero. Often a hero has training that helps to overcome the survival impulse and allows them to rush to a scene that puts them into great danger and they do not hesitate to get involved. They “want to be in the action” and not hearing about it on the television news… They do not give in to overwhelming fear because they want to be of service.

Are you also a hero if you run to help a disabled person rather than ignoring them due to personal fears or insecurities? Can you look into the eyes of a mutilated or disfigured person who you pass in the street and acknowledge them as fellow a human being rather than averting your gaze to a more comfortable visual target? Are you a hero if you “get involved” and overcome your discomfort to participate in someone’s life when your life’s experience may not be able to understand or even relate to the difficulties this person has survived? Perhaps you are not a hero, but you are overcoming your own emotional survival instincts to reach out and to get involved in a difficult activity.

Are you a hero if you emotionally, if not physically, embrace a combat veteran or emergency service professional who is suffering from service related PTSD with understanding and compassion rather than turning away and expecting the VA or an EAP to assist these heroes? It is easier to “mind your own business” and not get involved, but is this “right?” Chances are if you wish to get involved, you will have to over come emotional barriers because our heroes often will not allow you to easily reach into their lives to assist them.

Can we honor and support our heroes even when we can not fully understand the hell that they have lived through?

We do not have all the answers but we want to get involved in assisting our heroes. Do you want to get involved? Consider visiting and participating in Hero Talk at www.herotalk.com or through the Stress Education Center’s train the trainer (coach, counselor or therapist) PTSD reduction programs at www.dstress.com. If nothing else, tell our heroes that we appreciate their service….