The word "hero" gets a lot of abuse in today's English, being used for everybody who manages to bravely fight their way out of bed in the morning, and awarded with a gold cluster for athletes and performers.
However, I think we can all agree that if you charge into the flaming wreckage of an 18-wheeler with a cargo of liquid freaking propane to pull the driver from the cab, you get to be called "hero".
Holy crap. Those guys never have to prove anything, ever again. Well done, gentlemen.
ReplyDeleteYep. "Hero" is overused, but here COMPLETELY appropriate. Time to go fire up Rush's "Nobody's Hero", and maybe "Bravado". :)
ReplyDeleteGuys were working at an apartment complex next to the interstate. Ever see an interstate that did not have a fence separating it from the rest of the countryside?
ReplyDeleteThose guys were determined to help.
Hero is certainly appropriate.
stay safe.
i'm pretty sure that's an appropriate definition of the word.
ReplyDeletePropane tanker fires are wildly dangerous and make BIG craters!
I'm surprised they were able to get to the scene as fast as they did, what with their giant brass balls clanging as loud as they were...
ReplyDeleteHero, lunatic, whatever, they saved a life under impossible circumstances and thus have my respect.
ReplyDeleteOftentimes, the hero is the dude who makes the rescue and then says "Wait, your truck was full of what ?!?!"
ReplyDeleteRodger Young was deaf as a post, and probably couldn't hear his buddies yelling that they were safe.
'S'okay; heroes is heroes.
Look up BLEVE and Goldendale Washington.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to be in the same county with one of those.
Seriously. Follow Kristopher's advice, and look up BLEVE. Wow.
ReplyDeleteAnd see also this video.
Great demonstration.
noun: a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength.
ReplyDeleteI get paid to do this kind of work, I am a firefighter. I am not a hero. These men are heroes. They stepped outside of their ordinary lives to perform a deed they are not trained to do. I heap my highest praise on people like them.
Those dudes were either brave or ignorant, and lucky enough to survive the experience. Good on them however it happened.
ReplyDeleteJim
Tam, I know a few people who resemble the remark you made. The best of them said "I DID WHAT".
ReplyDeleteWhat about this guy over in the UK? Not a physical saving a child and puppy from a burning building, but I think a hero none the less:
ReplyDeletehttp://jumblerant.blogspot.com/2009/10/need-real-hero-heres-one.html