View this video. Then we'll talk.
There were times in my life that I thought I was brave. Many times in my military career I went in harm's way. Many times when I was police officer I went in harm's way. I did nothing that thousands of others haven't done. I am proud of my service.
What causes me to contemplate this is a conversation I had with my teaching colleagues over some adult beverages after school today. While the conversation was very flattering and I thank my colleagues for their compliments, it begs the question. What is bravery?
I related a story about my experiences with the Secret Service as Ronald Reagan visited our city during the 1980 campaign. I was amazed by their thoroughness and expertise as law enforcement. They checked out our city, told us what needed to be done to secure it and we did it. Total professionalism.
I told my colleagues that I was really impressed by the bravery of Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy and his conduct during the assassination attempt of President Ronald Reagan in 1981. When you talk about bravery, talk about a man who intentionally put himself in harm's way to save the live of the president. In this act he was shot and seriously wounded. He took a bullet for the president. Tim McCarthy is my hero.
That's the definition of bravery in my mind. How about you?
Friday, January 22, 2010
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8 comments:
Remember the movie "Dave"? Remember the end when Ving Rhames turns to Kevin Kline and says in a low voice: "I'd take a bullet for you."
BZ
Tears sprung to my eyes when I saw this as I've never seen that footage in full...not in quite so much detail, Law and Order. I never even knew what McCarthy did, believe it or not...it's awful seeing Brady down like that..poor man.
Yes, I think that's the height of bravery and the height of good training...that term "muscle memory" can only spring from incessant and excellent training and it boggles the mind. The dedication, the immediate action. Quite a sobering video......wow.
Will we always have men like that? I pray we do.
BZ,
I've always admired the Secret Service. That brings to mind the discussion we had. The Secret Service wouldn't make all these mistakes of letting people get near the POTUS. Something is fishy. Thanks for the visit.
Z,
As I said above, the Secret Service are complete pros. The fact that people got to the POTUS is fishy and something stinks there. Thanks for the visit.
Wow! What a question....I think bravery is in the eyes of the beholder....The man who tackled the Christmas Unich to me is a Hero and has all the markings of a brave individual. It is the mark of an unselfish being......stay well.....
"stinky?" But, he's right there in broad daylight...is there really a way anybody can TOTALLY protect him? I know you'd know if anybody does...I'd like to know that.
I'd really like to know what you think might have been STINKY, too.
And you never have to thank me for being here..you're one of my favorite blogs. Thank YOU for being at geeeeZ xxx
I'm with you on this one.
Z,
I didn't make myself clear. I meant the recent Secret Service "error" by letting the couple into the state dinner. I find it hard to believe that an organization that prides itself on its professionalism would fail this miserably. Something is wrong that we're not hearing about. That's clear to me.
Tap,
Thanks for the visit. You are right in that there are many heroes to many people. I'll still go with the cops, firefighters, and the military.
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