Published: November 12, 2009 09:38 am      

Who are true heroes among us?

It was an eerie coincidence. 

The same day of the Fort Hood shootings, a video was circulating on Facebook — “Thank Your Military.” A montage of photographs, video and music, the four-minute short encouraged people to remember those who serve and sacrifice.

The video, set to Creed’s “With Arms Wide Open,” showed a group of civilians and soldiers interacting. Some of the civilians held up signs: “Thank your military”; “Thank a veteran”; and, “If you love your freedom, thank the military.”

There were high-fives, handshakes and hugs.

The most poignant moment in the video featured a U.S. Marine and a little girl with long, curly blond hair. She wore a pink top and skirt. Not more than 3, she held her mom’s hand as they approached the marine.

After a short chat with mom, the little girl walked over to the man in uniform. He squatted down so that he could meet her eye-to-eye. As she approached, he stuck out his hand to shake hers. But instead of taking his hand, the little girl immediately gave him a big hug. And she held on tight for a few seconds.

It’s doubtful that in years to come she’ll remember that moment. But hopefully, she’ll grow up respecting those willing to pay the ultimate cost, those who serve and sacrifice. And that she’ll understand what a true hero is all about.

True heroes don’t necessarily wear a military uniform, however. True heroes go after the bad guys, run into blazing buildings. True heroes can be ordinary people who stop to help others who are in distress.

I always cringe when sports announcers refer to athletes as heroes. Although I must admit, I haven’t been hearing as much of that lately. Lately, it’s been role model or mentor, which is a good thing.

After seeing that video and reading the news, I started to think about the true meaning of the word “hero.” According to the dictionary on my Mac, a hero is “a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities.”

I know, that “typically a man” caused an adverse reaction in me, too. Especially in light of two of the primary heroes who emerged during the shootings at Fort Hood — Sgt. Kimberly Munley, 34, and Amber Bahr, 19,

According to msnbc.com, Munley, a civilian police officer, and her partner responded within three minutes of reported gunfire at the Soldier Readiness Center on that Thursday afternoon.

Also according to msnbc.com, the top commander at Fort Hood said that upon arriving at the scene, Munley shot the gunman four times despite being shot herself. She took him down, stopping the rampage.

Lt. Gen. Bob Cone called Munley’s actions “an amazing and aggressive performance.” 

Then there’s Bahr, a U.S. Army nutritionist. MSNBC.com quotes Cone as referring to the teenager as an “amazing young lady.”

MSNBC.com reported that Bahr put a tourniquet on one wounded soldier and carried him out of the building to medical care. “Only after taking care of others did she realize she had been shot,” Cone said.

All kinds of heroes could be found during 9/11 — firefighters, police officers and ordinary citizens. The firefighters and police officers ran into the towers while everyone else was running to get out.

Civilians helped the handicapped, some helped to carry wheelchairs and their passengers. And, they helped one another.

So, thank the heroes among you, whether they be military or civilian. They’re out there. Some of them wear uniforms, others don’t. Those who wear uniforms know what they’ve signed up for. And ordinary citizens put themselves in harm’s way to help others. They don’t just stand by and wait for someone else to step in.

• Deb Saine is a columnist for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached through the newspaper at ptnews@pharostribune.com.