In the PJStar.com article on the Creve Coeur Marine, Lance Cpl. Robert Newton, the author is able to show how a sacrifice can be honored.
Which begs the question, what sacrifice, and how does that define a hero?
Webster defines it:
b : an illustrious warrior
c : a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities
d : one that shows great courage
In our society, we tend to equate celebrity with hero. While some celebrities may be heros, the terms are not synonyms. And I think you only have to look at motive to see a difference.
Both make sacrifices and train for their purpose. They both give things up. Yet the motive is different.
The celebrity's motive is to draw attention to him or her self. It is important to the celebrity to keep the constant focus on themself. That is the reason they make the sacrifices.
The hero's goal is not to draw attention to him or herself, but to help others to see the dignity in their own life. They step outside of themselves to help someone else either close to them that they love, or someone they may never meet.
Is it easy to do a noble achievement?
No.
Is it easy to discipline yourself to create noble qualities?
No.
It takes courage.
No, it takes GREAT courage to create in yourself noble qualities that cause one to sacrifice for something great.
Something that is beyond our understanding.
Unless we lose it.
Something like Freedom
And it takes heroes like Lance Cpl. Robert Newton to allow us to have such a freedom. We are forever grateful for the sacrifice he made for us.
That is a hero.
