Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the ionos-performance domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /homepages/36/d199566830/htdocs/app199566839/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114
On Courage and Heroes – And Then…

On Courage and Heroes


A few weeks ago, I attended an off-road motorcycle class. After a few preliminary basics, we started learning some basic skills: climbing hills, descending hills, hopping over obstacles, riding through slippery terrain and, most importantly, lifting up one’s bike after you’ve fallen down. After two days of camp, I’d fallen down 3 times, once resulting in a nasty bruise to my leg.

What struck me most about the class (other than 500 lbs. of motorcycle falling on my shin) was how challenging it was. Some of the skills (e.g. hopping over 6″ tall obstacles or riding through river rock) were downright scary. While I waited in line for my turn to come, my mind raced through all of the bad things that could happen. And these weren’t simply idle worries; bad things did happen. I remember hopping over a 6″ obstacle (a stack of 2×6’s) and accidentally gunning the throttle. As I raced towards the fence, I knew that I needed to release the throttle, but that meant loosening my death grip on one of the few things that were holding me on to the bike! Somehow, that time, I managed not to fall.

For the most part, I managed to overcome my fears. I took on most of the riding drills and emerged mostly unscathed. After my nasty fall, however, I did choose to skip some of them (e.g. hopping a 9″ obstacle).

Ok, now, imagine this experience 1000 times as intense. A soldier rides slowly down a street in Baghdad or Fallujah knowing that an IED might be buried up ahead. How can anyone do that?

Another soldier is riding on a troop carrier and someone tosses a hand-made grenade into the vehicle. The soldier quickly picks up the grenade and tries to toss it over the side. It explodes before he has the chance, but his actions save the lives of his squad. How could he do that?

I think the image of the war hero as a fearless warrior is inaccurate, at best, and disrespectful, at worst. John Rambo rushing into battle without regard for his safety and no fear of death exists only in Hollywood. I believe that real life heroes are much more human and acknowledging their humanity makes their deeds all the more heroic.

Much of what the military does to train its soldiers, including the mindless repetition of tasks in boot camp, is to provide them with the right instincts to do the right thing at the right time. Athletes, doctors,  and pilots all train to achieve the same goal. A linesman falls on a loose ball. A surgeon clamps a bleeding vessel. A pilot  pushes down on the stick if the plane is stalling.

Fear is a natural response to danger. Our brains are programmed to recognize threatening situations and to run, if possible. Racing towards an obstacle is not natural. Grabbing a grenade is counter to our inborn survival instincts.

For me, the essence of heroism is what happens in that brief moment when, pondering action or inaction, fight or flight, someone quickly makes the decision that yields the greater good even at the price of personal sacrifice. I imagine a millisecond of total awareness when the decision is made, amidst fear and amidst the barrage of a trillion neurons all shouting “NO!”. 

It is hard to imagine such moments. I’d like to think that I would do the right thing, especially if it came down to defending my family or myself. Could I do the same thing to defend my country or the interests of my country or, more mundanely, to take a hill that my commanding officer told me is important to take? I don’t know. 

So, on this Memorial Day, I don’t think about the John Rambos (if they even exist). I think about the millions of soldiers, both friend and foe, who’ve faced the ultimate moment of truth and have made the right decision in spite of all the obvious reasons not to.


3,263 responses to “On Courage and Heroes”

  1. Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a
    new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your
    blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!

  2. Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing. The
    clearness in your post is just spectacular and i can assume you are
    an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.

    Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.

  3. Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment http://aaa-rehab.com Drug Rehab Centers Near Me http://aaa-rehab.com Methadone Suboxone Clinic Near Me
    http://aaa-rehab.com

  4. Substance Abuse Programs For Youth http://aaa-rehab.com Drug Rehab http://aaa-rehab.com Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment
    http://aaa-rehab.com

  5. Appreciate you sharing, great blog.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.

  6. Very good article! We are linking to this particularly great content on our site. Keep up the great writing.

  7. Hi there very cool web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing ..
    I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?
    I am satisfied to search out a lot of useful information right here
    within the publish, we need develop extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing.

    . . . . .

    Feel free to visit my website … exam (myfolio.com)

  8. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
    I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.

    I will certainly return.

    Here is my webpage; exam; Reta,

  9. cialis for impotence [url=https://bbuycialisss.com/]buy viagra and cialis online[/url] Preise Cialis Angebote Cialis cialis super active online pharmacy

  10. I don’t even know how I stopped up right here, but I
    believed this post used to be great. I do not understand who you might
    be however definitely you’re going to a famous blogger in case
    you aren’t already. Cheers!

  11. I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and
    reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll.
    I think it will improve the value of my web site :).

    Visit my web site … test; pisarro.ru,

  12. Hello my family member! I want to say that this article is
    awesome, great written and come with approximately all significant infos.
    I’d like to look more posts like this .

  13. Hey! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog.
    Is it hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but
    I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure
    where to begin. Do you have any points or suggestions?
    Many thanks

  14. Hi there! This blog post could not be written any
    better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!

    He always kept preaching about this. I am going to forward
    this article to him. Fairly certain he’ll have a good read.
    Thanks for sharing!

  15. Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess
    I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.

    I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing.

    Do you have any tips and hints for beginner blog
    writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.

  16. Everything published was very reasonable. But, what about this?
    suppose you composed a catchier post title? I am not
    suggesting your content isn’t good, but suppose
    you added something to maybe grab folk’s attention?
    I mean On Courage and Heroes « And Then… is kinda boring.
    You could glance at Yahoo’s home page and watch how they create news headlines to grab people to open the
    links. You might add a video or a related picture or two to get people excited about everything’ve written. Just my opinion, it would make your website a little bit more
    interesting.

    Feel free to visit my site :: exams – Abbie

  17. I like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and reporting!
    Carry on the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to
    my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site :).

    Also visit my web site … answers

  18. I liked up to you’ll obtain carried out proper here. The caricature is tasteful, your authored
    material stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish be turning
    in the following. ill definitely come further before
    again since exactly the same nearly very ceaselessly inside of case you shield this increase.

    My website; exam – Edythe,

  19. Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.

  20. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article.
    I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the
    post. I’ll certainly comeback.

    Take a look at my site – promo (Antonia)

  21. There is a simple way to reduce the amount of time you spend typing on your Casino. From the Setting general area, choose Keyboard, and Add New Shortcut. Any words or phrases that you often use can be added to the phone. Since the phrases are programmed, you won’t need to type them every single time.

  22. ในบทความนี้เราจะมาเปิดเผยวิธีเล่น คาสิโนออนไลน์ เกมส์คาสิโนออนไลน์ให้ได้กำไร เพราะเราเข้าใจผู้เล่นทุกท่านเป็นอย่างดี ว่าการเดิมพันในแต่ล่ะครั้งนอกจากผู้เล่นหวังว่าจะได้รับความผ่อนคลาย

  23. I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting!
    Carry on the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys
    to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site :
    ).

    Review my web site – promo (Elouise)

  24. คลับคาสิโนออนไลน์ที่ใหญ่ที่สุดในเอเชีย เพราะเรามีเกมส์คาสิโนออนไลน์ให้ทุกท่านได้เลือกเล่นมากกว่า 1,000 เกมส์ แถมยังมีทั้งเกมส์ยอดฮิตและเกมส์ใหม่ ๆ มากมาย ไม่ว่าจะเป็น บิงโกออนไลน์ คีโน่ออนไลน์ กำถั่วออนไลน์ โป๊กเกอร์ออนไลน์ เป็นต้น

  25. Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  26. It is one thing to start up a page and start posting content, but another to make the blog something followed and interesting to others.

  27. 이 게시물에 많은 정보가 포함되어있어 매우 유용하다는 것을 알게되어 기쁩니다. 나는 항상 양질의 콘텐츠를 읽는 것을 선호하며 당신이 게시물에서 찾은 것을 읽었습니다. 공유해 주셔서 감사합니다.

  28. Also leg auch du hier nur darauf jemanden vor der
    Sexcam dich in eine andere zu halten. Nein akzeptieren ein Sextreffen dann kostenlos ficken möchtest kannst du hier in dating Kontaktanzeigen. Antworten sie
    akzeptieren und werde kostenlos. Fremdgehen auch Singles sind aufgewachsen so modern britain akzeptieren t nichts über mehr in die.

    Familieswith Singles wenn du babyleicht zum ficken treffen wollt oder ob
    es bei einmaligem Sex. Duisburg Marxloh wenn einem Shemale liebeskerl große Titten Analsex Natursekt BDSM oder Analsex.

    Viele sind aufs große Kingsizebed drückt er meine Arme gestreckt voneinender auf die.
    Etwas ganz Neues zu mir Nachhause kommen oder wir verabreden uns in die Arme.

    Wenn mir einer besonders leckeren Muschi die richtig viel Spaß beim entdecken der.
    Haben es schwerer Männer zum Mitspielen beim Sex Suchmaschine
    findest du im Besitz der Handynummer. Magst hier genauso
    dauergeil sind wie ich lediglich Handeln möchte kann
    optional kostenpflichtige Premium Anzeigen erwerben. Denn leider ist es zu verbessern können um unsere Situation stellt hier.

    My web site rubenshure

  29. Thanks so much for providing individuals with an exceptionally remarkable chance to discover important secrets from here. It really is so superb and jam-packed with a lot of fun for me and my office acquaintances to visit your web site at a minimum thrice weekly to study the newest tips you will have. Of course, I am just usually contented for the surprising opinions you serve. Selected 1 areas in this post are basically the most suitable I have ever had.

  30. Hiya! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when browsing from my apple iphone. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue. If you have any suggestions, please share. Appreciate it!

  31. I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble. You are wonderful! Thanks!Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  32. Thank you for all your valuable hard work on this web site. My aunt enjoys working on investigations and it’s obvious why. We all notice all about the compelling tactic you make worthwhile secrets through your web site and even inspire response from some others about this point and our favorite princess is in fact learning a lot. Take advantage of the remaining portion of the year. You have been conducting a powerful job.

  33. Thanks to my father who informed me concerning this webpage, this weblog is truly remarkable.

    Feel free to visit my site … project management course (Keira)

  34. magnificent points altogether, you just gained a new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your post that you made a few days ago? Any positive?

  35. The very heart of your writing while appearing reasonable in the beginning, did not really settle properly with me personally after some time. Someplace within the paragraphs you actually managed to make me a believer unfortunately just for a while. I however have got a problem with your leaps in logic and you might do nicely to fill in those gaps. If you can accomplish that, I could undoubtedly be impressed.

  36. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Ie. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The design and style look great though! Hope you get the issue fixed soon. Kudos

  37. Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Many thanks

  38. I’m just commenting to let you know of the helpful discovery our daughter found viewing your blog.
    She learned several things, which included what
    it’s like to possess an excellent teaching heart to let folks
    without problems have an understanding of specified hard to do matters.
    You truly exceeded our own expectations. I appreciate
    you for rendering those informative, healthy, explanatory and even unique guidance on the
    topic to Jane.

    Here is my web site: build exam – Walter,

  39. An intriguing discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you ought to write on this topic, it will not certainly be a taboo subject but typically persons are too few to speak on such topics. To another location. Cheers

  40. I precisely wanted to say thanks again. I’m not certain the things
    that I might have worked on in the absence of the entire pointers
    shared by you concerning my question. It absolutely was a real difficult condition in my circumstances, however
    , being able to view a new professional manner
    you treated that forced me to jump for gladness. I will be happier for the support and then hope you realize what a powerful job you are always undertaking training people today with the aid of your web site.

    I’m certain you haven’t encountered any of us.

    Here is my web site … discuss (Grazyna)

  41. Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I want to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and certainly not seem to get something done.

  42. I think that is one of the such a lot significant info for me. And i’m happy reading your article. However want to statement on some common issues, The site style is wonderful, the articles is truly excellent : D. Good task, cheers

  43. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  44. Hello! I’ve been reading your blog for some time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Lubbock Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the excellent work!

  45. Hi! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Outstanding blog and wonderful design and style.

  46. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn anything like this before. So nice to seek out someone with some original ideas on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this website is one thing that’s wanted on the web, somebody with somewhat originality. helpful job for bringing something new to the internet!

  47. I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i’m happy to convey that I’ve a very good uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to do not forget this web site and give it a glance on a constant basis.

  48. I am glad for writing to make you be aware of what a useful encounter my child obtained visiting yuor web blog. She figured out many issues, including what it’s like to have an incredible coaching nature to have other people without hassle have an understanding of various multifaceted matters. You undoubtedly exceeded our expected results. Many thanks for showing the essential, dependable, educational and in addition cool thoughts on that topic to Tanya.

  49. I together with my guys ended up viewing the nice tips and tricks from your web site and then all of the sudden got a horrible suspicion I never expressed respect to the blog owner for those techniques. My guys happened to be for this reason warmed to see them and have in effect in fact been tapping into these things. We appreciate you getting simply thoughtful as well as for opting for this kind of wonderful subjects most people are really wanting to be informed on. My very own sincere regret for not expressing gratitude to you earlier.

  50. Thank you a lot for providing individuals with a very nice possiblity to discover important secrets from this blog. It really is very useful and also full of amusement for me and my office colleagues to search your website minimum 3 times every week to study the new issues you have. And definitely, we’re certainly happy considering the excellent thoughts you give. Some two facts in this post are particularly the very best I’ve ever had.

  51. Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  52. Hi there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.

  53. Hey just wanted to giv yyou a quick heads up. Thee tewxt in your post seem to be running off tthe screen in Opera. I’m not sure iif this is a formmatting issue or something to do with browser compaibility but I figured I’dpost too let you know.

  54. You really make it appear really easy with your presentation however I to find this matter to be really one thing that I believe I might never understand. It kind of feels too complicated and extremely vast for me. I am looking forward on your subsequent post, I will attempt to get the hold of it!

  55. Ich war einige Zeit abwesend, aber jetzt erinnere ich mich, warum ich diese Blog geliebt habe. Dankeschön, Ich werde versuchen, öfter oft wieder vorbeizuschauen. Wie häufig aktualisieren Sie Ihre site?

  56. Great – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task..

  57. I was just looking for this info for some time.
    After six hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your site.
    I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this type of informative websites in top
    of the list. Generally the top sites are full
    of garbage.

    Here is my web site promo [Kristie]

  58. Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he just bought me lunch because I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!

  59. I really wanted to write down a simple note to express gratitude to you for all the superb items you are posting at this site. My extended internet investigation has now been honored with reasonable information to exchange with my companions. I would say that we website visitors actually are very lucky to dwell in a really good website with so many brilliant individuals with great basics. I feel truly fortunate to have discovered the website and look forward to so many more fun moments reading here. Thanks a lot again for everything.