Friday, October 23, 2009

Heroes of America

Heroes of America

By Kristian Fausz



America, the land of the free, is historically a bright light upon the earth. Long ago, groups of people came to this land to escape oppression, to fulfill their dreams, and discover a better life for themselves and their decedents. It’s a land known for its greatness, be it the people or the deeds. Men and women throughout history stood up and did what they believed was right in order to keep the country a shining beacon of hope, freedom, and justice in the world that people can depend on.

Once, long ago, there was a time when a man could turn to another man and call him his friend. All were brothers and sisters under the American Flag. Trustworthy citizens were abundant, and no one need fear taking a walk in the park nor hide a gun under their floor boards incase an intruder attempts to cause them harm. However, the world has transformed majorly since that time, and is now the distorted, corrupt place seen today. Thugs run the streets, murders grow nationwide, and drugs are in the reach of younger and younger populace. Unless an action will result in an award, or some other benefit a person, most avoid doing anything they aren’t forced to do. Cries for help are often ignored because of spreading fear of involvement. Citizens who care are now scarce. Heroes have become a rarity in America-but they are not yet extinct.

Heroes don’t need to be faster than a speeding bullet, or wear a cape and have a secret identity. They don’t need to have secret lairs, or sidekicks-though the majority doesn’t seem to know this. Normal, everyday people can be heroes if they choose to be. Unfortunately, those who know that they can be simply don’t choose to be. Humans have grown to be greedy and self-centered creatures, apathetic about the world around them. Yet, there are exceptions to this contempt for helping the fellow man.

Of the billions of U.S. citizens, a handful still opts to be heroes, a number of them without realizing it. Firemen and police officers risk their lives everyday, expecting nothing in return. Teachers pass on their knowledge to educate the children, our future. Even some parents, who raise their children with morals, make them aware of responsibility, and correct them when they are wrong, are heroes. They support them as children grow, and set them along the right path of life early. Each of these types of people deal with stress, struggles, and problems in their lives, but continue being devotees to the population.

America was once known for its champions, for free will, and righteousness. The heroes spoken of in old war stories and legends may no longer be around, and those who follow in their shadows sparse, but they have not vanished from the face of the planet completely. The mighty hero gene has not been lost. They are not immortal, but they are super nonetheless. The ones who continue being heroes, even when it doesn’t seem worth it, are the ones who deserve parades and statues in their honor.

2 comments:

  1. I like your short story because you have given a lot of examples about the past and the future. You have talked about the characteristics of a hero and how these characteristics have changed throughout time. I think that the story will be more interesting you have given specific examples: of American heroes that you are aware of and have done a lot for your country. In order to make your story clearer, you should divide it into paragraphs. A new paragraph should start where you introduce a new idea.
    “Normal, everyday people can be heroes if they choose to be. Unfortunately, those who know that they can be simply don’t choose to be.” These sentences are a little bit confusing because for two sentences you use too much repetition of “choose” and “be”. Also you should pay attention to the words you use and how you use it because I am left with the impression that this essay is quite confusing. I am interested do you think that the firemen and policemen nowadays can be as heroic as famous historical people from the past?

    Maria Batchvarova

    ReplyDelete
  2. There were paragraphs, but I copied and pasted it, and this thing doesn't seem to like us to use the tab button. x]
    I'll make it very clear from now on.

    ReplyDelete