Heroes
Quick questions. Do you know
who this person is? I would be willing to bet that most if not all of the
people who read this know that this person is Justin Bieber the famous pop
singer who is now known for more than just his music. He is famous and kids
look up to him as a hero of sorts. Doubt me, watch the video of him walking out
of police custody in Miami to the sound of cheering fans. Why do people think
he is a hero? The only reason that I can figure out is that he is famous. I
have nothing against this young man as a matter of fact, he is in my prayers
that Father will fill his heart and use his God Given musical talents to
glorify Him not himself.
What about this guy. Recognize
him? Of course most if not all of you again will recognize this man as LeBron
James. Don’t think he is looked at as a hero to millions? Go and watch him and
his team leave a hotel or enter a stadium as thousands of people cheer for him
(walking out of a hotel…). Again, I have nothing against this man and am in awe
of his God Given talent on the basketball court. Has he done anything heroic?
Maybe he has but he is considered a hero by many for playing a game not any
heroic acts that he may have done.
Last one. Do you recognize this
man? I bet you don’t. His name is Ross McGinnis and he actually is a hero. Had
you asked me this question 3 months ago, I would not have recognized him
either. His story was not all over the news to my recollection like Mr. Beiber
or Mr. James. That is why when I heard it, I wanted to share it with you. Mr.
McGinnis posthumously holds the following awards for military HEROISM: Medal of
Honor · Purple Heart · Silver Star · Bronze Star Medal. His story is copied from
Wikipedia below. Take a minute and read about Mr. McGinnis.
Medal of Honor Citation
President George Bush presents
the Medal of Honor to the parents of Ross McGinnis
For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Private First Class Ross A.
McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and
beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st
Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with
combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq,
on December 4, 2006.
That afternoon his platoon was
conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control
sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2
.50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell
through the gunner's hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled
"grenade," allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the
grenade's blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner's hatch to safety,
Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. In a selfless
act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the
live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of
the explosion.
Private McGinnis' gallant
action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private
First Class McGinnis' extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his
own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his
unit, and the United States Army.[3]
I am glad I learned about Mr.
McGinnis so that I can share the story with my children to let them know what a
real hero is. Who are your heroes???
