I watched the coverage on the recent death of Steve Irwin over the weekend with some interest. He's been all over the news, the blogosphere and even had a one hour special dedicated to him on Hannity & Colmes. Irwin was an avid conservationist and a wonderful spokesman for his home country of Australia. He'll surely be missed. And some are even labeling him a hero.
But I wonder if, in this age of media worship, we're missing the point.
There was very little coverage of the passing of Glenn Ford, a film industry icon, a true patriot and hero.
No one commented much on the death of former Marine Guy Gabaldon, who won the Navy Cross for convincing more than a thousand Japanese soldiers to surrender during the battle of Saipan.
There was little fanfare when the Paul R. Smith Middle School of Holiday, Florida, opened last month. You can bet Smith had the Hero concept down: Medal of Honor - Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith.
And there are these two incredible Navy Seals, PO2 Matthew Axelson and PO2 Danny Dietz, both of whom will receive the Navy Cross, posthumously, next week. The story of this elite team of SEALs in one that every American should know (read this post at BLACKFIVE: Axelson and Dietz to receive Navy Cross).
But none of those incredible young men ever had a television show.
And the men aren't the only ones earning the title "Hero" these days. There's also Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, the first woman to receive a Silver Star since WWII. And PO2 Jaime Jaenke, who died in Iraq when her vehicle hit an IED. In fact, according to the Women's Memorial, more than 100 women have earned the Purple Heart in the Iraqi Theater, alone. More at American Women in Uniform, Veterans Too!
For some reason, the powers that be don't feel especially generous toward some of our more decorated heroes, either. While I hate to quote the NYT, I did find this recent piece interesting. It seems that the MoH isn't being awarded nearly as often as may be warranted. Just ask Brian Chontosh. Although, from what I've read of the young Marine, he'd probably insist he didn't deserve it.
And we often forget the great work that our firefighters, police officers and EMT folks do each and every day, for very little money and often at great personal risk. When you're in desperate need of help, the arrival of some of these folks will certainly reshape your use of the word "hero."
While I am certainly not taking anything away from the "Crocodile Hunter," I can't help but think that our priorities are a little out of whack. We can certainly enjoy the work of our actors and singers and athletes, but let's save the term "Hero" for those who have truly earned it.
And those who will earn it again tomorrow.
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