SPF: April 18, 2008

Kristine says:
Friday April 18th: HERO.
Who’s your hero? What is symbolic of a hero? What does Hero mean to you? What does it look like?



i couldn't take my photo for "hero" myself. i had to scan one in that i already had.

i don't know exactly how i would define 'hero' but i know heroes give of themselves, at a cost, for the benefit of others. and i know that we look up to heroes for those sacrifices. and i know that heroes are often so much more than we even see or realize or acknowledge, because we can't, because they don't broadcast it, because they do without expecting accolades.

that photo says 'hero' in many ways to me. some less obvious than others. i mean that young man there put on a uniform for his country & served his Uncle Sam. and to this day won't talk about much of it. based on the few stories i have heard, and what history i have read, i can't say as though i blame him. that young man in a uniform is a hero for his country.

that young man also grew up to be my father. a single father of two. in a time when fathers were not often the ones awarded custody of small children. a father who sacrificed so much -- and probably so much more than i will ever know -- for his kids.