Memorial Day And Heroes

This weekend is Memorial Day in the US. A time to remember those that fought for our ideals. A time to remember heroes and heroines, the recognized ones and the unsung and forgotten. It makes me think: Do we know what a hero is? Do we still need heroes? Do we even believe in heroes and heroines anymore?

What is a hero?

According to Wikipedia, A hero (heroine for females) was originally a demigod. But later, came to refer to those who, in the face of danger and adversity, or from a position of weakness, display courage. They had the will for self-sacrifice for some greater good of all humanity.

From the origins of the word, from Latin and Greek, it is believed to mean protector, defender, to preserve whole, to keep vigil over. Therefore, the basic sense would-be protector. for the greater good of all humanity.

When we think of past heroes and heroines from any country they all qualify by brave deeds and noble qualities.

Take for example the story of Juana Galán, from Spain (Valdepeñas, 1787-1812), a story that is not well remembered, and that not many outside of Spain even know. She was a single twenty years old who worked at the first tavern in her village of Valdepeñas. 

On June 6, 1808, in the battle in Valdepeñas against Napoleon's troops, there were not sufficient men to defend the village. Juana encouraged women to go out and fight. The other women poured hot water through the windows and boiling hot oil on the road. Meanwhile, Galán, armed with a baton, took to the street to fight against the French cavalry. 

Through this battle, the French army abandoned the province of La Mancha and was delayed at the Battle of Bailén, which ended in victory for the Spaniards. The town was named "Very heroic." And a heroine was born, who later served as inspiration for Spanish women to become more involved in public affairs.

Do we need heroes and heroines?

Traditionally heroes exist only to protect people who need protecting. Have you become so proud that you think you don’t need heroes? Is your home a place deserving of heroes? Why would heroes want to hang around, and risk life, with people that don't value the very things that heroes stand for, like virtue, morality, and honor? 

Maybe we need to admit that life can be difficult, and that we need heroes to help us through and inspire us.  Maybe we need to ask for help from our heroes.

Maybe we need to embrace our heroes instead of making them look like villains. They are still around us. We just have forgotten how to look for them. 

We need to forget the hype that we must make others smaller, so that we may feel bigger. Discard the idea that making others feel guilty is the way to look better ourselves. We still need to believe in heroes that serve a greater purpose. 

Do heroes or heroines exist today?

Let’s think about the home. Home heroes are responsible for making the home an oasis of love and peace. They don’t just ask everyone in the family to do more with less, but actually lead by example when there is a need for sacrifice.

We need wives and husbands that are not looking for power over others but to collaborate, to be compassionate, and to be willing to serve, instead of only thinking about their own comfort.

We need parents that are willing to sacrifice time and effort to interact with their children, instead of letting “screens” hypnotize them, or just sports to engage them.

We need parents who are willing to create boundaries of safety, even if many others around are letting their teenagers run wild. . .

We need individuals within the family who are willing to be examples of living by principles, who are ethical–even in difficult moments.

But without stories, nobody knows about heroes or heroines. Look around you and discover the stories of heroism that your fellow citizens, coworkers, and family members have to tell. Maybe we need more time for others to tell us their stories of standing up for Country, God, and truth.

Are you a hero or heroine?

I think one of the reasons we don’t strive to be heroes or heroines is because we think of a "hero" as one who has no failings. We expect our CEOs, Presidents, parents, spouses, etc to live up to impossible standards. And the media “demotes” any modern “hero” that shows any faults.

Think instead of becoming a family hero whenever you are. Look for the direct connection between human values and economic value. Build a family in which everyone has a voice. Don’t look only for yourself, but for the benefits that everyone can gain. 

Look to redefine what's possible, what really matters. Live your values and seek to inspire your family to strive for quality and excellence. That is what will bring you real happiness.

REMEMBER. . .

Remember the high price many paid for the liberties that many times we take for granted. Ask people around you for stories of their loved ones that died fighting for our country. They are not with us anymore, but we need to keep the stories alive.

Only then will we be inspired to also step up to heroic deeds when we are called to face danger and adversity. When we are called to protect, to defend, to preserve whole our workplace, our families, and our country.

HAPPY MEMORIAL WEEKEND!

#memorialday #heroes