From any Great Battle, a Hero arises.

 A Hero can come in many shapes and sizes.  They are different ages, different nationalities, different walks of life, but the one thing they have in common is that they put the interest of others above their own.  Many people have met a hero.  Many people have celebrated heroes.  There are specific days of the year that various Nations around the World will celebrate those who have come before and have become a hero to others.  What I'd like to do today is provide some insight into what a Hero really is, and why we are all heroes in our own way.  

Just as all heroes come in many shapes and sizes, so do the battles, or the events that have catapulted certain people to Hero status.  In truth the size of the battle is not nearly as important as is the action taken by the hero in that moment when action was required.  We've heard of people who have taken almost Super Human actions to help someone in dire straights.  But what about the simple actions of a smile, a cheerful hello and how ya doin, that could possibly change a life?  Is there any distinction between this simple action and those who may have carried out heroic acts on the battle field?  

So many have been through battles, and I dare say that not one of them would not have given everything they owned to have that hero present to either pull them out or up out of the quick sand they felt they were in.  No one is ever going to go through life without the need of assistance in some fashion or form.  Certainly there are those who feel that they can do it all by themselves, but let me ask you this:  had that person who felt they were indestructible, who felt they had to do it all by themselves, had they allowed someone to come in and offer assistance, could what they have accomplished been that much better had they allowed the help in?  I'm not here to point fingers or to accuse, I'm here to say that we all need assistance even if it is just that smile from the neighbor across the street as you drive off to work in the morning.  

We celebrate Veteran's Day on the 11th of November each year to mark the end of World War I at 11:11 in the morning.  We remember the sacrifice that so many made, and for the sacrifice many are making now to keep our Nation strong, safe, and free.  Many heroes have come from these battles, and many heroes have taken heroic action, yet nothing written or annotated about them.  Some of the bravest actions have taken place out of the limelight, away from on lookers, in the background, but to those who were the recipients of said action, they only see the hero.  Each person has been someone else's hero and may never even know how their actions, their kind words, may have changed or altered a life for the better.  The definition of hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.  In mythology a hero is a person of superhuman qualities, with a semi divine origin, and whose actions are often depicted in many myths about the times.  We often over look those heroes who walk amongst us each day, as they may not display Divine Origins, or Superhuman Strengths.  Those subtle heroes who seek not the limelight, rather remain behind the scenes simply being themselves, and doing what they do best.  

We each have within ourselves those Superhuman Strengths written about, and handed down from generation to generation from mythological times.  Each person has unlimited love, although not always shared with others or even displayed.  Each person has joy, once again not always shared, displayed, and sadly not always recognized by the individual.  Every single person is a hero, and while some might think that this could or would diminish the remembrance of those who have indeed displayed heroic actions on the field of battle, it neither diminishes or negates those actions, by equating the simple heroic act of sharing your love with another as an equal act of heroism.  

Our World needs heroes.  Our world needs leaders.  However, many heroes have never been leaders, and sadly many so called leaders are anything but heroes.  Being a true Hero is nothing more than giving the best of who you are to another without the slightest need for any type of repayment or even thanks.  When we give freely we open ourselves up for a reward that is greater than anything you could ever imagine.  Freely giving your love to another is an act of heroism.  Many of those who we remember on this 11th Day of November gave the ultimate sacrifice for something they loved, cherished, and defended til their final breath.  We can never forget that sacrifice, nor the love that motivated them to do what they did for another person. or for the country they loved so deeply.

I was so honored and blessed to have served our Nation in the United States Air Force.  My service was not to glorify myself, it was because I owed my service to this country because so many before me sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy every day.  Even after nearly 30 years of Retirement I would still go back tomorrow if asked to do so, and I would serve without a demand for glory or thanks.  

Each hero today is worthy of our respect, and each person has displayed characteristics of heroism at some time or another, whether recognized or not.  Please take a moment and look back on those times when you did because you wanted to, and not because it was expected.  Look back on those times when you gave the very best of who you are so that others could experience a bit of joy, peace, or happiness in their life.  In those times you were a hero, and for those times I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  

Large or small, short or tall, thick or thin, it matters not, as once again heroes come in all shapes and sizes, but the constant, the unchanging characteristic in all heroes is that heart of giving.  Giving once again, not looking to be paid back.  I want to thank each hero who has been present in my life for all they have given to me, sacrificed for me, and for the freedoms I enjoy now because they gave.  We love because we were loved.  We are joyful because one gave us joy.  Each person who gave you love and joy is a hero.  You are a hero because you have given to others, even when giving may not have been easy, or convenient, or even when things were going bad, but their bad was worse than yours.  We are all heroes in our own right and today I honor you because you did what you did not have to do, but chose to do.    

We remember our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen today, and we are committed to never do things that would diminish their sacrifice or service to our great Nation.  I salute each of you, because through it all you are a hero, and I pray that you continue to give the best of who you are to others so that they can become or remain the best they are.  I leave each of you love, light, peace, joy, and happiness.