On Heroism

Today I’m going to honor, in my own way, the Americans who died on 9/11. I’m going to say a prayer for the thousands of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who have died since in bringing justice to those who wish us harm.

And I’m going to say a prayer for those in the public safety brotherhood who perished in the collapse of the World Trade Center. I honor their sacrifice, and I admire their bravery and resolve.

But I’m going to stop short of calling them heroes, and here’s why.

Nothing has changed my opinion since I wrote that post. You may not agree, and my reluctance to use the word hero is not meant to cheapen their sacrifice. We throw the word around so freely these days, we risk cheapening its meaning.

Honor whomever you choose today. In the response to the attacks, and in the days and weeks afterward, there were plenty of examples of American exceptionalism to choose from. Remember the things you saw in the aftermath that made you swell with pride to be an American citizen.

Just keep the grieving to a minimum. It has its place, but we’ve had years to grieve. This long afterward, grief is a singularly useless emotion.

Resolve is better.