a nation without heroes

  Where have all the heroes gone? It's a thought I've increasingly had the older I get. I'm not thinking about war heroes, firefighters and law enforcement people. I'm not even thinking about those social justice warriors and activists. No, I'm thinking about those everyday heroes I admired as a child. Was a day when sports players were viewed by me in that light, then they were exposed. It wasn't that they did anything criminal, no it was their sense of morality and ethics that were exposed. Pete Rose being a prime example of that. Teachers I viewed in that way also. Educated, caring and concerned with teaching us all. Never was I aware of their politics or their sex lives. Not so today, the lessons being taught in those classrooms no longer aligning with American values. Indeed, a decided anti-American sentiment is being fostered in our youth. And other professionals have followed suit. Doctors and lawyers have certainly fell in status in my opinion. I did believe those with a higher education were somehow just a bit better, but today I'm not convinced of that at all. Today many with degrees are like cabinet makers who just bought a kit from Ikea. Good at following directions, but no independent skills.

  I'm reminded of that old Peter, Paul and Mary song, where have all the flowers gone. It's been a long time passing. The heroes have all been erased from history. In an effort to prove we are all equal the removal of heroes is a necessary thing. That could only be accomplished by replacing those heroes, and the replacement is you. That is the narrative today, everyone is a hero. No matter what you did or didn't do, you are a hero. There are glaring examples of that if you take the blinders off and just look around. We have erected statues glorifying criminals. They are taking the place of admired historical figures. We are teaching our children that all those people were flawed individuals, no one to emulate or admire. It's been a long time passing, indeed. 

  The thing about heroes is they inspire the next generation. Heroes must be carefully chosen based on the merits of their accomplishment. So, just what makes someone heroic? It is one of those difficult things to explain, as it means many things to many different people. Personal heroes are what we call those reach that status in our mind. Community or National heroes are a different subject altogether. The heroes selected are a reflection of the values, ethics and morality of the person, community or nation. What heroes are being chosen today? A man pretending to be a woman excelling in a woman's' sport? Another man pretending to be a woman entering a beauty contest? A man that sold secrets to our enemies hailed as a hero? Rap singers? Anyone in the LGBTQ+ community? Heroes all, isn't that the message being sent to our children. 

  I'm fully aware that my childhood heroes were just men and women like everyone else. I realize they had "flaws" in their character, that they were not perfect. Still the importance lies in the fact that I could believe in them. That is what heroes are for, something to believe in. Heroes do the right thing even when it goes against their personal feelings. Heroes just do what is right, for rights sake, without any personal gain or thought of their personal safety. The act of heroism is a momentary thing that leaves a lasting impression. It is that "damn" moment. Heroes act when others hesitate.  

 I'm thinking the fall of the hero, as a national thing, began with the Vietnam war when our troops came home and were called baby killers, and a myriad of other horrible names. The vast majority of those were not heroes just average men doing a job that needed to be done. They were fulfilling an obligation to the nation. In America today, where are the heroes? What is the adversity the young people are facing today? Their feelings are being hurt, Starbucks went on strike, and a mean man is in the Whitehouse. They have student loans to pay back and their degree is virtually worthless because no one is hiring a gender studies major or a philosopher. And who are they being given as a hero? There is no one. That's my opinion. No national hero exists today. A nation without heroes is in decline, that's my thought. 

" A nation that does not honor its' heroes, will not long endure" (Abraham Lincoln) I'm left asking, where have all the heroes gone?