What Makes A True Hero?

     What makes a true hero? When someone asks this question a person's mind automatically thinks of a superhero. That could be a common thought because people have grew up around hearing different superheroes saving the day in just a couple of pages and they instantly becomes, mostly, a child's biggest role model. There's nothing wrong with believing there could be a superhuman somewhere in the world rescuing people, defeating the bad guy, and saving the town, city, or the world from destruction. Majority of people who read comics or watch TV shows about the famous superheroes could say that the heroes gives us hope that there's someone to save us, helping others is worthwhile, and lets people dream of becoming a super being known for keeping the world a place where good will always conquer evil. There is a safe bet that the next group of people that are known as heroes are famous people. That includes actors that have done amazing charity work like Lance Armstrong who helps in the cancer awareness charity LiveStrong, civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Harriet Tubman, and even others like Bill Gates who donates billions of dollars seemingly everyday. There are another type of heroes that are everyday people who do courageous rescues or help just about everyday that are very minor or just heroic enough that they are known nationally. These people risk their lives just to save people they don't know or maybe even family and friends. There are the typical heroes like police officers, firefighters, paramedics, etc. and there are the random heroes who could be your plumber, neighbor, or even a small child. Just about anyone who does anything out of their heart are a true hero.

     An example someone could say is a hero, mostly preteens/teenagers, is the character Finn from a Cartoon Network showed called Adventure Time. Finn is a boy who lives in the land of Ooo, which is set in a post apocalyptic future, that loves to go on adventures and, more importantly, saving the day with his magical dog.  Finn is a brave  person who is a seeker for justice kind of hero. He has a very strong sense of responsibility and gets upset when he is unable to help others. One of his major responsibilities is saving kidnapped princesses from his emotional, delusional, and quite often annoying arch-nemesis The Ice King. Since The Ice King is extremely lonely, but only finds friendship in a sea of penguins all named Gunther, he decides to kidnap princesses so he could force them to marry him. all of his predictable plans are thwarted  by Finn who swoops in, easily defeat The Ice Kind, and safely return the princess to their rightful places. Another responsibility is just answering any stranger's cry for help. In one episode, Finn answers a call from the land of Ooo's Princess Bubblegum, who is part time scientist, to help deliver her invention of candy seeds to her Earl because his kingdom was going through a devastating famine. He happy helped deliver the seeds to the Earl and went through numerous obstacles to get to the Earl but never gave up until he finally found him. Finn shows that no matter what is in his way he uses determination to finish his deed. Finn is a shoe in  for becoming a role model to look up to.



 Well, Marcos Ugarte seems like a better choice to become a role model. A fire broke out on the second story of a family home in Oregon on a Monday night which an 8-year-old Cody Ma was trapped in a room upstairs. A high freshman noticed the fire and heroically grabbed a ladder and climbed into the boy's window to help take him down, along with the trapped boy's father. According to the article on Huffington Post, Marcos Ugarte said, "I can't say I really consider myself a hero. I think anyone would have done what I did." I don't think majority of people would actually risk their own lives to help others. Even though he says that he doesn't consider himself a hero, he really is one. He thought unselfishly and took time and putting his life on the line just to save a little kid who could have perished in the fire. So, one question: Do you think Finn, the hero of Ooo would have been around to help the little kid? 



 Another fine example of well known heroes is Superman. Everybody knows about Superman. if you haven't then you must have been born just this morning because even if you don't read comics, you should have about Superman. He is the man of steel, has superhuman strength, superhuman speed, x-ray vision, and a gazillion other powers that make him almost invincible.  This guy has done things from saving a train from derailment, to saving his girlfriend from certain, dangerous situations to something very extreme like saving the entire world from destruction. How is he not like the president of the Earth. If you have read the previous section then you would know why. He has thousand if issues of comic books starring him, he is the co-founder of the all-star superhero group the Justice League, he had his own live action TV shows twice, a few cartoons starring him, a couple of movies, and plenty of other things that should have his name known around the world. He is basically one of the world's most famous superhero.

In November of last year, Officer Larry DePrimo became a national hero when he was photographed giving a pair of boots to a barefoot homeless man on the streets of New York. After asking the homeless man where was his shoe and the homeless man replying back that he never had any, Officer DePrimo walked inside a nearby Sketchers store, bought a $100 pair of all weather boots and socks, went back out, and personally gave the homeless man what he bought him. All the homeless could do was smile from ear to ear according to DePrimo while on a local radio station in New York. Also, he didn't even know he was being photographed so this picture is not a stunt. He is great to know that policemen are doing their jobs: taking down the criminals, giving people justice they deserve, and helping people who are in need. This officer voluntarily used $100 of his own money to buy boots and socks for a man who he did not know all out of his heart. He shows the true definition of what a true hero should be. 

It isn't bad to have a role model who isn't real. Superheroes shows great qualities that shows that they care about humanity and are willing to help them out no matter who they are. There are real life heroes all around you now who doesn't have super powers but have a big heart and will risk their lives for someone who is in danger. A true hero is a normal everyday person who shoves differences, judgement, etc. all aside to help rescue civilians.