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I was brought up to believe that the world needs heroes.

I saw that growing up in the 1960s when some friends of mine never came back from Vietnam and others returned with dibilitating injuries.

I saw it on September 11, 2001 when a terrorist attack took a couple thousand lives and drastically changed thousands of others.

I saw our country come together and support each other like at no other time in my life.

I see heroes now in our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan with the sacrifices they make to tell our enemies that freedom is the best choice.

I saw it the other day when Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett stepped in to help a grandmother protect her granddaughter in a domestic disturbance. Barrett got his reward from a lead pipe and spent several days in the hospital. But, he protected the victims with courage.

Heroes do not have to lose their lives or get seriously injured to wear that honor.

A hero could be nothing more than the person who stops his car to help a motorist in trouble while others speed by.

A hero could be the person who handles lawn care or snow removal duties for his neighbor who does not have the health or the resources to do it themselves.

A hero could be the person who steps up to coach a youth program when no one else will so kids get a chance to participate.

A hero could be the person who gives the few extra dollars left after expenses to help a charity or another person.

A hero is ususally someone who does the above without calling attention to the fact he is doing so.

If you know of a hero be aware that the only reward the person seeks is a simple thanks.