he·ro
[heer-oh] Show IPA
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
3. the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.
4. Classical Mythology .
a. a being of godlike prowess and beneficence who often came to be honored as a divinity.
b. (in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of special strength, courage, or ability.
c. (in later antiquity) an immortal being; demigod.
People today often speak of heroes and are more than willing to share who they believe is their hero. They will often name sports figures with amazing stats, or who possesses great athletic prowess or ability. They may often name a former teacher. Sometimes an entire group of people are someone's hero; like the police, firemen, Navy SEALs, etc. I am in favor of the latter instead of the former. This hits a little closer to home for me. I have no qualms with someone having a hero. I believe that it is something within us that sees something desirable or attainable in that person or group and can cause us to strive to do greater. Everyone needs a hero. Let me tell you about mine.
He grew up in a pretty small town. No fan fan fare. No pomp, circumstance. When I first met him, I hated him. Didn't like him one bit. I thought he was selfish, self-absorbed, egotistic, and messy. As our relationship aged, we definitely had our disagreements and fights. When we were together, we'd kick and punch each other, throw rocks and bricks at each other, shoot each other with BB guns and call each other every name in the book. As we got older, I think we both matured and started seeing each other differently. One can probably already guess, my hero is my younger brother: Marine MSgt Chad Roach. He'll probably want to kick my ass for writing this, but he's a good 3-4 hour plane ride away, so I think I could find a big enough stick to help when he'd try once he got here. ;-p
My brother is an Air Traffic Controller in the United States Marine Corps and has made a career out of the Marines. He enlisted around 1997 and has had quite the illustrious career in the corps. He has been to more countries than anyone I know. He has been in combat several times and has seen more in those tours than I could even think of. He has been under fire in a combat situation of which I have no frame of reference and no idea how I would react. He is a hero in every sense of the word. He would lay down his life for his fellow Marines. He would lay his life down for you, the reader. He doesn't even know you, but if you were threatened and he was there, he would do all he could to make sure you were safe. He has sacrificed for his family and has gone several months at a time without seeing them so that we can sleep safe here at home under the blanket of security that he helps provide. He has asked for NOTHING in return and has actually gotten less. He lives in a modest house in a nice neighborhood. He doesn't drive a fancy vehicle or have lots of fancy toys. More often than not, he goes without so that his family or others can benefit. He does this not out of selfish ambition or with the idea of getting patted on the back or "attaboys". He does it because it's how he was made. Storybreak!
While deployed to Djbouti, Africa he was in the control tower. He was off duty, but was there helping out. He was listening to one of the local (African) controllers directing traffic in the airspace and something caught his attention. (Forgive my lack of knowledge of air traffic control terms.) The local controller was in the process of landing two American fighter jets. He was, unbeknownst to himself, landing them at the same time, on the same runway, and in the same spot. In short, there was quickly going to be two multi-million dollar fighter planes trying to occupy the same airspace. This usually poses a problem for not only the metaphysical aspect of things, but also for the lifespan of the pilots. He quickly analyzed the situation and reacted. He got on the radio and redirected the fighters saving the lives of the pilots as well as the jets.
Growing up, he admittedly lived in my shadow and did all he could to get out of it. I was no superstar. No phenom. Just the oldest of three brothers in a small town and the comparisons were bound to occur. I was one to avoid drama and more or less kept my head down to avoid causing a commotion. Chad was one that did not avoid commotion or drama. He didn't seek it out by any means, but when faced with a situation that would affect him negatively, he would be more than happy to voice his displeasure. When a friend of his was getting a "raw deal", he was quick to jump to their defense. He got picked on quite a bit for this and I know it wore on him, but he persevered. He overcame. He adapted through all of it and showed he wouldn't be defeated or beaten by anyone. It has been these characteristics that the Marine Corps have capitalized upon and fostered.
We live in a time where it is more common to see someone taking rather than giving. Someone trying to "get what is owed to them." People working harder to get out of work than to actually do the work asked of them. Looking out for themselves rather than anyone else. People like Chad are rare. They are a dying breed. No one wants to think about that. True heroes are disappearing. I look at Chad and I see his selflessness and generosity toward his fellow countrymen and Marines. I see his dedication to his family and his willingness to go without seeing his beautiful wife and kids for months on end so that I can be with my beautiful wife and kids and I am humbled. I see him punishing his body in training so that he may better do his job. These are what make Chad my hero.
He may be my "little" brother, but I can only hope to someday attain the level of heroism that he has achieved.
Chad, you're my hero and I raise a pint to you!
