Hometown Heroes-Those who inspire us.

A Hero! What is a hero anyway? In Webster's eyes, a hero is defined as one that is much admired or shows great courage. Unfortunately, the world focuses mostly on movie stars and sports heroes as idols of America. There are many special people in these fields of work, but to me the real Heroes are the individuals who are inspiring people with cause. These are our local hometown friends who make us proud to even receive a glimpse from them. Don't get me wrong, I do believe St. Louis Cardinals player Albert Pujols is an inspiring hero in the eyes of the young and old. These men are great, but there are just many heroes that live next door that deserve as much gratification.

One hometown hero I will draw attention to is LCPT Tim Maguire.Tim is one of our local young men who had been deployed to Iraq to bring freedom to this part of the world. In the eyes of his family, he is more than a hero. As a Marine, he is admired for being a great Son, Grandson, Nephew, Uncle, Big Brother, Friend, Athlete, Coworker, Student, and an overall Courageous Man. Many young boys and girls look up to LCPT Tim Maguire and wish someday to be just like him.

Our heroes are not just the local military men and women. There are plenty of other stars in the American Society. Concider the father who quietly strides behind his son while he races his dirt bike for the first time at age five. Even though the child may come in last place, the father picks up his son and rides him on his shoulders. He celebrates as if it was the championship race and his boy just finished in first place. We must think of the family who gives a little girl and her sister a new home and a new life because their old one was destroyed by a disaster; the policemen and women who go off on patrol with no idea if they will come back alive.; the orderlies and paramedics who are the first on the sceen of an accident; the teachers, nurses, and mothers who care for our special needs children; the firemen who run into a burning building to rescue one last survivor. Needless to say, the list could go on forever!

So, let us not forget the soldiers, fathers, mothers, friends, and neighbors who give a helping hand. Recognize the little girl or boy who did the right thing. Not only can we be a hero in the eyes of a stray animal, but that one special pup can create a whole new world for one lonely soul. Who's the Hero Now?