Definition Of Heroism

Have you ever wondered what sets apart a hero from everyone else? Heroes are all around us, wherever we go. Not all of them wear capes or have superpowers, because it is what they strive to do in their life that defines them. Famous tennis player Arthur Ashe once said “True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” This quote shows that in order to be recognized as a hero, one must focus on their motivations and determinations in life, not on physical appearance or fame. A hero is anyone who dedicates their time not only for the needs of their own, but for that of others and overcomes great adversity, even when the odds are against them.

Heroism is working for the needs of others, and putting them before yourself. Our country’s soldiers are a prime example of this because every day, those men and women put their lives on the line to protect the rights of United States citizens. In the article on page 58 of the Springboard Book, an army soldier named Tristan Eugene Segers lost his leg and suffered many injuries while in combat. Segers said “I was in a lot of pain” which shows that he risked his life to ensure that others live a decent one. All soldiers have someone or something that they care about, whether it’s a wife, children, or family, and it hurts them to be away from these people that he/she loves. Every single U.S. Army personnel is definitely a hero due to the fact that they willing to give up the comfort of a normal life, in order that us civilians at home can enjoy ours. As you can see, a major part of heroism is the ability to make a sacrifice for others, even if it may not directly benefit you. Another perfect example in real life of helping others is given in the White House Funeral Sermon for Abraham Lincoln on page 68 of the Springboard Book. Dr. Phineas Gurley wrote “He is dead; but the cause he so ardently loved, so ably, patiently,

Heroism involves having courage and perseverance, and this has a great effect on others by showing them it is possible to achieve their dreams. Frederick Douglass was a former slave that escaped slavery by devoting every single ounce of energy he had and continue trying when things did not unfold the way he expected. At many points throughout his life, Douglass felt the urge to give up, but he knew that by escaping the white slave owners, he would set a “fire” in the souls of other slaves which would make them determined to follow in his footsteps. When those slaves saw that a person just like them was able to run away from the menacing hands of slavery, they discovered how to gain freedom: through hard work and perseverance. Frederick Douglass did not directly free all these slaves that escaped, but his actions as a hero turned each of them into a hero. As you can see, ordinary people are considered heroes when they are able to change the mental state of others in a positive manner. Heroism requires being inspiring. An example of heroes turning others into heroes occurred on September 11, 2001. This was a tragic day in history when the twin towers were crashed into by terrorist-hijacked planes. In all the chaos, many people were only worried about getting themselves to safety. However, there were a select few who realized that there were still