Hero: The Meaning Of The Word Hero

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The Meaning of the Word Hero Kathleen Tennison Eng122: English Composition II Instructor: Shelley Palmer April 21, 2014 FINAL RESEARCH PAPER DRAFT The definition and guidelines for using the term “hero” to describe a person can be as diverse as the land we live in, however, regardless of your cultural identity the shield of “hero” must be earned. It is defined as “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities, is regarded as a model or ideal (Dictionary.com, 2014). In Classical Mythology, a hero is “a being of godlike prowess, a warrior of special strength, courage or ability” (Dictionary.com, 2014). This describes how we have portrayed our present day heroes, the pedestal that we put them on, after actions reflecting heroism, have been awarded the title. Difficult to earn, harder to retain, but forever remembered. What is a hero and what has he or she done to deserve that title? A recent example is Todd Beamer. In an article from Christianity Today (2001), “Todd Beamer will always be remembered as a national hero, he was a hero long before he and others on United Flight 93 tried to overpower hijackers on Sept. 11, 2011. In his final moments, Beamer 32, called a GTE Airfone operator and gave details about the hijacking, then recited the Lord’s Prayer with the operator. Beamer set down the telephone, and the operator heard him say to other passengers, Are you ready? Let’s Roll! The plane crashed within minutes, killing 44 passengers and crew. “What they did was to foil, I think the attack on Washington D.C., “Vice President Dick Cheney said on NBC’s Meet the Press. “Without question, the attack would’ve been much worse if it hadn’t been for the courageous actions of thos... ... middle of paper ... ...he Hudson. Successful Meetings 59 (11): 20-27, Retrieved from Business Source Elite Database. Hero (2014) World English Dictionary. Random House Dictionary. Retrieved from Dictionary.Com Unabridged. Holzer, Harold (2004). Heroes of History Lecture: Abraham Lincoln, American Hero. National Endowment for the Humanities. Retrieved from We the People.gov. Spider Man (2014) Spider Man. Wikipedia. Wikipedia.Org. Taylor, Latonya (2001, Oct.22). Todd Beamer, Hero of Fatal Flight. Christianity Today, 45 (13) 18. Retrieved from Corporate Resource net Database. Teachers Turn Heroes in Oklahoma Tornado. (2013, May 24) Forsyth County News. Dallas Morning News (2013, May 22) Retrieved from Newsbank.com database. Watson, Julie (2012, Dec03) Marines Special Operations Team Gets Rare Public Honor For Heroic Acts in Afghanistan. Huffing Post. Retrieved from Huffington Post.Com

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