I've never had much truck with people who are too hastily labeled heroes.
Granted, there are many people who do good things. But very few of them are really heroes.
Their stars shoot across the pop-culture sky for a brief moment. Then they disappear. There's a big difference between fame and heroism, and fame is fleeting.
Neil Armstrong was exceptional. What he did in July 1969 was brave. It took courage. It advanced civilization. As long as history books are written, the first man from Earth to set foot on our moon won't be forgotten.
But here's the difference between Neil Armstrong and so many others upon whom the hero label has been hung for a fleeting moment.
He did his bold and brave, courageous and monumental job, and then he rarely talked about it. And he never capitalized on it.
He didn't write a book.
He didn't start a business.
He didn't endorse a product.
He didn't do talk shows.
And he was very, very reticent about discussing his greatest accomplishment.
He let the act speak for itself.
He retired from the astronaut corps after the Apollo 11 mission, and he became a teacher of aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati.
That's not only admirable. In itself, it's also heroic.
So we should do exactly what Armstrong's family has suggested: The next time you're outdoors on a clear night, look up at the moon, and give Neil Armstrong a wink.
And, I might add, think about who your real heroes are.
Posts
Well said! I won't make any friends with this comment, but it's always bothered me when the office workers who died in the twin towers are called "heroes." The police and fire personnel who died there, yes, they were heroes. They risked and lost their lives trying to save others. But the workers in the building were victims. It doesn't lessen the tragedy to call them what they were; let's save "hero" for those who actively earn it -- like Neil Armstrong.
ReplyDeleteI happen to agree with both of you. And, I've found that real "heroes" are usually, themselves, uncomfortable with the title.
ReplyDelete-Mike Dale
Wonder if Mr. Gorsky ever got lucky after "the kid next door walked on the moon". I'd suggest that Walter is right - most killed on 9/11 were victims, but those who ride to the sound of the cannons are indeed heroes. Armstrong laid his life on the line many, many times, without thinking of personal aggrandizement. As the beneficiary of vast sums and supreme governmental effort, he's one of the view that Obama could get away saying "you didn't build that", but Neil never claimed the mantle of hero, or success. He let the act speak for itself.
ReplyDelete