Page 7 - 60 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet

A Tribute

n the introduction on pages 8–9, we challenge you to name
I sixty important American heroes. We think you will name some
people we don’t know, or who wouldn’t have occurred to us. But they are heroes to
you, and that’s very important.
All of us have personal heroes. They are the people in our lives who have helped
to shape our personalities and define who we are. Often we don’t even realize how
important and special they are.
Maybe the closest members of your family are personal heroes. Think about
how much they have helped you. Sure, there are times you have disagreed with their
advice or actions, but they have been there for you when you needed them.
How about teachers? Religious leaders? Doctors? Coaches? Club leaders? Your
friends’ parents? Even your siblings—yes, they can be your personal heroes too!
Do you ever thank your personal heroes? Telling someone they are your
personal hero is different from telling them you love them. That’s important too,
but letting them know that they are your hero is a powerful way of thanking them.
The United States is full of heroes. They often don’t get the credit they deserve,
so we sometimes refer to them as unsung heroes. They are the firefighters who rush
into burning buildings to save people and pets, the police officers who risk their
lives to keep us safe, and the protesters and activists who work to make the world
better and more fair. Heroes serve in our armed forces to keep the country free,
create art and music to bring beauty to our lives, and inspire us with their athletic
achievements, and work to level the playing field for all competitors.
Heroes do what it takes to make this world a better place. We want you to think
about the importance of the heroes in your life, and we hope you’ll take some action
to let them know how special they are to you.

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