I recently received a letter from a local citizen in response to our “A Hero Falls In Eastvale” article (Eastvale Community News, Vol. 6, Is.6, Sept. 2014). He has challenged me on the article’s definition of heroism, and I present his letter for you now, exactly as received; and although he signed the letter, I’ll keep his identity confidential:
Although it is sad that an officer has passed it must be said that being a servent Of the people doesn’t even come close to being a Hero. This word is used to much out of Context especially from the Editor in Chief? Hero is for is for people like Bob Howard retired full Colonel [Ifc] Fred Zabitosky S. Sgt Franklin Miller and the like. This is land of the free and home of the Brave. Hero is reserved to a much higher calling. Look these names up so you will have an understanding of what Heroes are. Being a Public Servent doesn’t come close to be even considered. What you have written in your paper is an injustice to the Hero’s above. If your going to wright it then get it write.
To this citizen I say, thank you for your letter, but I feel I have a pretty good understanding of what a hero is. It is interesting how we interpret different things in our lives, and this writer is obviously very passionate about his stance.
So, I did what he suggested and I looked up his names. One in particular, Fred Zabitosky, is quite literally a hero. On his third tour of Viet Nam, Zabitosky – on fire, with a broken back and ribs – rescued his pilot and co-pilot from the burning wreckage of his downed helicopter, and dragged them to a rescue helicopter (among other things). He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1969, and quite rightly so. His is a great story.
However, I don’t see how Zabitosky’s story differs much from the 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement personnel, and many others – all public servants – who were running into the burning wreckage of 9/11 to save lives, while others were running away. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave and in 2001 when that freedom was threatened, they ultimately gave everything. They all lost their lives.
I don’t see how this differs from the public servants who put themselves in harm’s way, every day – to serve and protect – and put out the fires, give CPR, catch the bad guys, solve the crimes, take the bullets, and “pass away while on duty,” all so citizens can feel safer.
For me, anyone who puts someone else’s needs ahead of their own – even at the risk of great peril – is a hero. That’s the “higher calling.”
I leave it to you, dear readers, to determine your own definition of a hero.
Kimberley P. Sander
Editor-in-Chief
