THIS IS TRUE HEROISM: NOT A MAN DOING A RISKY JOB UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES
The progressive mainstream media has downgraded true heroism almost to a participation award – similar to the sports awards given to athletes for showing up. True heroism demands going above and beyond the call of duty – something often overlooked by those who want to turn those performing risky jobs into heroes.
This is an object lesson … and the reason the military does not hand out Medals of Honor for merely being a bystander to history. Michael Patterson had no duty or obligation to attempt a rescue of another person’s child. Perhaps he did not consider the full consequences of taking immediate action or even believe he might die, but true heroes rarely do. In numerous interviews with soldiers who have been awarded medals for bravery, courage, and going beyond the call of duty, they almost uniformly claim that they did what was necessary at that point in time; often claiming that others would have done the same thing under similar circumstances.
Yes, people who voluntarily fight for their nation or perform high risk jobs as soldiers or first responders are deserving of respect and possibly admiration – but they are not heroes in the conventional sense.
So read this story as we approach our Independence Day, a time when men took heroic action, above and beyond the call of duty, to risk their lives to insure than other men would enjoy the freedom that they worshiped.
Michael Patterson’s story …
Man Left Paralyzed After Saving Girl Has Died - A father who dived into a shallow creek to save a stranger's child succumbs to injuries and illness weeks after his heroic act.
A man who was paralyzed after diving into a creek to save a four-year-old girl has died after nearly three weeks in hospital. Polk County Coroner Trey Litesey confirmed 43-year-old Michael Patterson died from complications resulting from his injury. Mr Patterson was hailed a hero after authorities said he saved a girl from drowning in Euharlee Creek, Georgia, on June 8. US authorities said Mr Patterson managed to pull the girl unharmed from the water, but struck his head during the dive and became paralyzed.
"After a valiant battle, Mike succumbed to his injuries and related complications early this morning," read a statement on the Friends of Mike Patterson Facebook page. "Mike's family was by his side at the time of his death." The statement said in addition to paralysis, Mr Patterson battled pneumonia, a bacterial infection and a blood clot. "His life and the lives of others are forever changed by his courageous, split-second decision to save another's life," the statement said. Source: Man Left Paralyzed After Saving Girl Has Died
Bottom line …
Perhaps we should tell the progressives to take their participation medals and shove them. Roundly condemning the unionized teachers who are striving to turn little boys into well-behaved little girls with their politically correct nonsense and the continuing criminalization of the very behaviors which helped turn boys into men – protective of the weak and those needing assistance.
Mike Patterson was such a man – a family man who risked it all to say another parent’s child. He did not wring his hands, wail, and wait for the authorities to arrive. He took immediate and direct action to remedy the apparent problem. Few of us will save a life during our lifetime, fewer still at the risk of their own life. But, sometimes one of us goes beyond the call of duty and deserves to be called a hero. Mike Patterson was and always will be such a man and a hero.
-- steve
“Nullius in verba.”-- take nobody's word for it!
“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw
“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”
“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS