Thanks in large part to comics, movies and television, we apply the word hero to imaginary characters with super human abilities.
But the truth is, the real heroes are everyday people. They work with us, live among us, and are a part of our every day lives. They are ordinary people who put someone else ahead of themselves in a dangerous situation.
On Wednesday, Francis Bourdages of Moose Jaw elevated himself to hero status as he entered a burning home to carry a resident to safety. He even considered going back into the flames to look for her dog.
Bourdages did what he thought he had to do under the circumstances. In fact, he said it was simply "the right thing to do."
Now, if everyone lived by that philosophy, imagine what kind of world this would be. Obviously, killing, any kind of abuse, stealing, etc. would not be "the right thing to do." What a difference that would make.
But many don't subscribe to that philosophy so that is what makes some people heroes. It's not their capes, tights or superhuman strengths - most don't possess any of those things. No, it's the ability to know what is right and to act on that knowledge.
Many people we regard as heroes claim they didn't do anything anyone else would not have done. Sadly, that's not true. Sometimes people are paralyzed by fear, sometimes they are held back by concerns for themselves or their family. And sometimes, they simply don't care about others.
Real heroes rise above all those things and act.
Bourdages is a hero.
Real heroes do whats right
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Published on
March 14, 2009
- Published on July 10, 2009
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Staff ~ The Moose Jaw Times Herald
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Comments
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- J
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:32:36
Wow, once again well done.
Was this article adddressing 7 year olds?
I think events such as bosnia, kosvo, afghanistan, and Sept/01. Helped society at large define heros. Not being able to make that distiction is a testament to a sheltered exsistance.
Addressing mr Bourdages heroics could have been presented without assuming the reader at large is ignorant to their moral compass.
Furthermore it's not that all don't subscribe to the philosphy of what is right, quite the contrary, it is the the definition of right is a relative term. It is very dangerous to say that he did the be all, end all right thing. As society teaches NEVER to return to a burning building, and this is something that is cultured from childhood. So to say that someone who didn't enter the building didn't do the right thing is incorrect, it all depends on the perception.
Note: He didn't return for the dog, was that the wrong thing to do? -
- J
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:00:47
We are taught from childhood to never enter a burning building.
TH editorial staff, there is a brash difference between being correct and being brave.
Not to take away from Mr Bourdages the opinion expressed here is inappropriate. Most do subscribe to the notion of being right, the problem is that the very definition is a relative term.
It is appropriate to acknowledge his actions as honorable, or courageous. But to say he was right is treading in some dangerous water.
PS-Why would you express an opinio and not allow for rebutle?? Sux that the whole world isn't on your side. -
- Robin
- - September 18, 2009 at 12:55:13
Yes, just imagine what kind of world this would be. If everyone tried to do things for others, instead of themselves our their own gain, just imagine what kind of world this would be. Remember these: Do unto others as you would have others do to you. Do one random act of kindness every day. What would Jesus do? Not to downplay this man's heroism, because truly he is. He and his family can be proud of this event and its outcome forever. If we could all follow God's will instead of our own - what a world this would be!!
