America's Heroes
by Julie Creager
John Wayne. John F. Kennedy. Jesus
Christ. Elvis Presley and every little girl's daddy are just a few of America's
heroes. Who are the heroes of today? Since September 11, 2001 every fireman,
policeman, EMT, and solider have stepped into the shoes of a hero. Since
the attack on America these people, who's jobs may have seemed ordinary
at the time, have become heroes to every person in America, showing no
fear and following their orders no matter the consequences.
When my father was young, he looked
up to the Lone Ranger, when my brother was young Spider Man was his hero,
and Punky Brewster was my hero; I believe that today's youth looks up to
George W. Bush. He not only stepped into the shoes of a hero by his actions
on September 11, but by his words as well. But I don't think all heroes
are movie stars, or presidents; my hero is an average teenager. My hero
is my good friend Jamie Likens.
Jamie didn't do anything special to
earn hero status in my heart, Jamie is a hero because of his outlook on
life. Because up until the day he died, Jamie lived his life to the fullest.
Jamie was full of so many dreams and hopes and to him each day was a chance
to accomplish things he couldn't the day before. Jamie lived, laughed,
and loved like each day was his last and for that simple reason he is my
hero.
These days I find myself so caught
up in my life; there is always something to do: school, work, church, baby-sitting,
the list drags on and on. Some days I run around so much that I forget
to breathe, and it is then that I hear my hero's voice in my head telling
me to slow down and relax.
We all have someone in our hearts
who is a hero. Some heroes we know personally and there are some
we only wish we knew personally! I encourage everyone to keep hero-like
qualities close to their hearts, to live each day to it's fullest and in
the words of my good friend, Jamie Likens,
"Don't stop till the casket drops!"
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