In a tragedy, heroes

The thing about human-caused tragedies is that in every tragedy there are heroes, the people who step forward and go beyond what is expected of them. They are like the leaven that reminds us that even when humans are at their worst, yet there are always at least a few humans who show us by their actions that you always have choices. All too often we declare that we cannot understand how such and such a person (or people) could commit such a horrific act. And, all too often we fail to look in wonder and awe at those in every tragedy who risk their lives to save others. Sometimes, when I look at those good people, I cannot understand how they had the strength to persevere in risking their lives to save others.

Yes, I have been told that when the time comes, one can trust that the Holy Spirit will be present and will help one through the  circumstance. But, sometimes that is told to me in a way that almost seems to take away some of the due praise from those who risk their lives to save others. After all, in every tragedy there were those who did care for their lives and make the entirely legitimate choice to save themselves. Let me emphasize again that heroes are those who go beyond what is expected of them. There is nothing wrong in someone not choosing to be a hero, in someone choosing to do what is expected and to have due care for themselves.

I think I have decided that heroes are a mystery. They can only be understood by other heroes. We can only look at them and hope that if such a time of testing comes upon us that we would also be heroes. The story below is about two women who have just become heroes.

FORT HOOD, Texas – The top commander at Fort Hood is crediting a civilian police officer for stopping the shooting rampage that killed 13 people at the Texas post. Lt. Gen. Bob Cone also hailed a young Army nutritionist who helped wounded victims.

Both women heroically intervened despite being shot.

Cone said Friday that Fort Hood police Sgt. Kimberly Munley and her partner responded within three minutes of reported gunfire Thursday afternoon. Cone said Munley shot the gunman four times despite being shot herself.

Officials said Munley was in stable condition.

Cone said, “It was an amazing and an aggressive performance by this police officer.” …

Cone also hailed Amber Bahr, 19, as an “amazing young lady.”

The commander told NBC’s TODAY show that the nutritionist put a tourniquet on a wounded soldier and carried him out to medical care. And only after she had taken care of others did she realize she had been shot, he said.

On Thursday, her mother, Lisa Pfund, told the Sheboygan Press that she spoke briefly to Bahr after she was taken to a community hospital.

“I actually got to talk to Amber and I talked to her for about 30 seconds and she was in a lot of pain,” Pfund said. “She couldn’t tell me nothing, either.”

Please note that the nutritionist is only 19 years old. So young to be a hero.