Aware Of Their Burden: What Heroism Means To Me

When I think of heroism, I define it with single headline, printed in bold on the front page of the New York Times; "2 Graduating Rangers, Aware of their Burden." The headline refers to Capt. Kristen Griest and First Lt. Shaye Haver, who several months ago became the first two women to graduate from the Army Ranger School, one of the most intense and elite combat training programs in the world. Historically, the military has displayed hostility and reluctance when questioned about admittance of women, often openly questioning a woman's ability to serve, but these two women had the courage and commitment necessary to persevere in an entirely male-dominated environment, aware that their success or failure could bring judgement upon the capability of women everywhere.

Further, Capt. Griest and First. Lt. Haver were prohibited from joining the actual Rangers unit of the Army at the time of their graduation, as it was closed to women, but their accomplishment raised the issue of gender discrimination in military rankings on a national level and led the US Department of Defense to announce the opening of the Ranger unit and several other elite combat teams to women. These two women helped to open several new fields to women everywhere, fulfilling my idea of a hero; someone who has used their skills or privileges to improve the lives of others, often overcoming formidable obstacles to do so. While there are undoubtedly some exceptions to this definition, there are several figures in American history who I do not see as heroes. Many Americans, for example, consider Ronald Reagan to be a classic American hero, but because his choices as president had little positive resonance for the average American or for one particular disadvantaged group ( he primarily influenced fiscal policy, creating conservative taxing and assistance systems which were quickly changed when he left office, but not before they helped to increase the impoverishment of many working-class Americans.)  Heroism, to me, is found in individual achievement which resonates in a larger community and positively affects the lives or opportunities afforded to others.

Image: Capt. Griest visits female West Point students, http://www.stripes.com/news/us/1st-female-ranger-school-grads-inspiring-a-new-generation-of-west-point-women-1.373653