2. Read the following definitions of hero below:

• hero - a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. (from dictionary.reference.com)
• hero - an illustrious warrior; a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities; one that shows great courage (from Merriam-Webster Dictionary, m-w.com)
• hero - a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength (from thefreedictionary.com)

What qualities do you think make a person a hero?

3. Consider the following statements made in the article. For each one, write whether you agree or disagree and explain your answers:

"We throw the word hero around way too often," says Michael's father, Dan, who is himself still partially disabled from a Vietnam War wound. "...I think when you attach 'hero' to someone using their God-given talents to either play a sport or sing a song, or to a celebrity, it lessens the term. (para. 17)

"I think we ought to reserve the term hero for not only Michael but the man who jumped on a train track just a couple of months ago to save someone. Heroes are people who improve society and put their lives at risk. A policeman, a fireman who runs into a burning building is a hero. A celebrity is not a hero." (para. 18)

Is it now unofficial military policy that you may receive the nation's highest honor only in your casket? In addition to these honorable six, aren't there many more troops who used great resourcefulness and bravery to kill despicable foes and preserve friendly lives, including their own? No one should be disqualified from the nation's highest honor for adhering to what I call Patton's Law: "The object of war is not to die for your country but make the other [guy] die for his." (para. 23)

Now that Oprah leads our moral battles...what future lies in store for a country where the most respected thinkers push the young, the bold and the public-minded into thinking that true service lies in picking up a ladle but not a uniform? The New York Times didn't even report Lt. Murphy's story (which was initially classified) until 10 days after President Bush approved the Medal of Honor. (para. 25)

4. Ask a grandparent who his/her hero(es) was growing up and to explain why.

5. Has this commentary changed your view of what a hero is? Explain your answer.