What Makes a Hero?

Dictionary.com: hero-A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life.

Merriam-Webster: hero-b : an illustrious warrior c : a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities d : one that shows great courage.

I realize that many people see John Kerry giving a speech, and they suddenly hear "The Marine Hymn," or perhaps "When the Caissons Go Rolling Along." Angel wings flutter, and harps of victory tinkle in their ears. They swoon to the words of this modern Alexander, bestriding the political landscape like a colossus.

Now, you may notice from the sound of my voice that my tongue is planted firmly in cheek, but I have a serious question: Kerry has--along with many of his supporters--portrayed himself as a hero, of sorts. So my inquiry is, "What makes a hero?" I'll try laying out my own meaning of the word. I believe it has a very specific definition, and has been bandied about entirely too often.

To me, a hero is someone who goes beyond the call of duty or service or what is accepted as an appropriate, justifiable reaction to a crisis. Doing more than the average individual, and standing out above all the rest, is the stuff of heroes.

Historical examples abound:

We know of stories in which people dived into shark-filled waters to rescue total strangers. That is heroism.

We know of situations where soldiers have shielded their comrades with their own bodies to save them from grenade attacks. That is heroism.

Sometimes, in our personal lives, we meet heroes. Like the parent who gives up a dream to do right by his children, who puts aside his own desires for their betterment and proper upbringing. That is heroism.

Look at the life of Nathan Hale, an American espionage agent and patriot, captured by the British during the Revolution. Though General Washington tried to save him, the British hanged him as a spy. His final words before his execution ring strong and true, even today: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." That is heroism.

And what of Davy Crockett and others who defended the Alamo, in 1836. Many of these people came to the aid of the Texans late in the game, almost certainly aware of the odds against them. Yet they came on, despite the stacked deck, making a stand for Texas' independence. That is heroism.

The last days of Constantine XI Paleologus, emperor of the Byzantine Empire at its fall, tell a story of heroic proportions. Besieged by an army of approximately 150,000 Muslim Turks, he managed holding them off for two months--wreaking horrific losses on their army--with only about 8,000 men. In the end, he and the remaining survivors rushed out of their citadel stronghold, into the streets, where they fought and died to the last man. It is said that the emperor charged straight into a horde of his enemies, sword swinging. That is heroism.

Though I easily could write a book exemplifying historical heroism, I have one more example to share; it is the most important one of all.

The story of Jesus.

Imagine spending most of eternity in the very presence of God. Imagine knowing what that's like. Imagine choosing of your own volition to descend to the earth in the form of a weak and fragile human being; to grow into a child and then a man; to begin a ministry for the express purpose of saving souls from hell. Imagine the love that comprises. Imagine the compassion.

Now imagine what it must've felt like to be mocked and ridiculed for your love and compassion; to be unwelcome in your hometown; to walk the roads a man alone, filled with sorrow at what you've seen. Imagine being arrested for proclaiming the truth, being tried and imprisoned, scourged and tortured. Imagine making your way to a cross and allowing nails to be driven through your hands and feet, then being hoisted into the air to asphyxiate and die in one of the most horrifying, shameful deaths ever devised by the twisted human mind.

Imagine knowing your entire life would culminate in such an event. Imagine going to it willingly, for the sake of people who hate you. That is heroism. Jesus epitomizes the word. No better example of a hero exists--from the Creation, until now.

Thankfully, you and I both know that this wasn't the story's end. But only the beginning.

I believe we've covered properly the definition of what makes a hero. Feel free to supply me with further examples of your own. In each case, I believe true heroism includes--and requires--a sacrifice.

And the next time you hear a certain someone touting his minimal war record at every conceivable opportunity, I hope you'll think of this post, and react accordingly.