Who Is Your Hero?

I’m not one to forward much of the stuff I get by e-mail, because most of it is spam and junk. However, I did receive something yesterday I want to share with you and encourage you to participate in.

All American Direct, which provides distant networks broadcast to Dish television customers, is circulating a petition to let Congress know that current laws restricting RVers from accessing any distant television station they wish are not fair.

The company’s position, which I agree with, is stated in the e-mail to me: If you can get newspapers from other cities – why not TV stations? If you can use the Internet to get access to other TV stations, why can’t you get them over your satellite dish? If you can use technology to get more TV stations via your computer or your TV – why can’t you get more network stations on your satellite dish? I hope you’ll sign their online My TV Rights petition and help protect our viewing rights.

In yesterday’s blog I reported that the Recreational Vehicle Safety Education Foundation (RVSEF) will be holding an RV Lifestyle, Safety and Education Clinic at the Wildwood Conference Center at Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania September 13 – 16, 2009. RVSEF’s director, Walter Canon, contacted me and asked that anyone who wants to receive an e-mail about the event to send an e-mail to staff@rvsafety.com or directly to him at wcannon4@rvsafety.com. Please include your first and last name, and your e-mail address.

I feel sorry for today’s young people. These days, who do kids have for heroes? A bunch of grungy Hollywood punks who make headlines for getting busted for drugs and DUI? Athletes who get more press for their steroid use or abusing women and dogs?

When I was a kid, I had all kinds of heroes to choose from. World War II heroes like Audie Murphy, or Chuck Yeager, or my own father and uncles, who put on their country’s uniform when duty called. Men like John F. Kennedy, who stood up to Castro, Khrushchev, and the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Actors like John Wayne and Hopalong Cassidy, who were always the good guys and never flinched.

I may not be a kid anymore, but I still have heroes. Their names may never be household names, but they are the men and women among us who quietly do good deeds to make life better for the people around them.

Heroes don’t just charge enemy positions in a time of war, or rush into burning buildings to carry infants out to safety. Many times the greatest acts of heroism are the small deeds that go unnoticed by the rest of the world, but change someone’s world for the better.

I have always thought that the world needs to know more about these unsung heroes, so with the creative help of my pal Chris Guld from Geeks on Tour, I have launched a new website called Todays Hero Blog where you can read about the heroes who never get their names in the newspaper or on television.

I hope you’ll visit the new website, read some of their stories, and maybe even submit a story about a hero in your life. There is no charge to nominate your own here. Just send an e-mail of 500 words or less, and a photo of your hero if you have one to editor@todaysheroblog.com. 

I’d appreciate if you would check out the new website at www.todaysheroblog.com, and tell your friends about it.

Thought For The Day – Your dreams are an index to your greatness.