Command chief: The roots of heros Published Aug. 7, 2009 By Chief Master Sgt. Tammy S.S. Elliott 90th Missile Wing F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- We all have images of heroes. Many Americans believe that by virtue of our service, military members are heroes by default. Most service members would probably disagree. We place heroes in a unique and hallowed category. However, most heroes believe they are just doing their job. Military history is full of heroes. For example, Airmen like William Pitsenbarger, John Levitow and Scott Sather. Although we hold them in the highest regard, I'm guessing they would not have classified themselves as any more heroic than the next guy. They'd probably state they were doing what they were trained to do. I have a real life example of this concept. My late stepfather, retired Lt. Col. Jack Larkin, had been married to my mom for about 10 years before I found his name on the Air Force heroic rolls. I knew he was a pilot and had started out enlisted, but that was about all I knew. Then I saw a video tucked away in my mom's house about The Flying Sergeants of the Army Air Corps. Guess whose picture was among the ranks? Yes, my stepdad was an enormous part of my enlisted history --I was a master sergeant at the time -- and I had no idea! Upon a little more digging, I found out he had flown in three wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and had received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and multiple Air Medals. I was stunned and honored. I asked him why he hadn't brought it up before. He was extremely proud of his service, but as far as the stuff of heroes, he made only one succinct comment. "I was just doing my job," he said. Since events, and our reaction to events, typically lead to the making of heroes, it's almost impossible to predict who will be one. Bette Davis said, "A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer." I would have to give that one a whole lot more thought to totally buy in. However, I do agree most heroes are, at the core, ordinary people who responded in an extraordinary manner. When I leaf through the pages of military history and look at the faces of heroes, I see faces of you, our Airmen. At one time, those famous folks were exactly like you. They were committed and trained to do a job, to fulfill a mission. I can almost guarantee they never guessed they'd go down in history in any manner, let alone as a hero. You may have never had such thoughts yourself, but you, just like them, already have the right stuff. Laura Moncur said, "Nurture your mind with great thoughts; to believe in the heroic makes heroes." Integrate your soul with integrity, service and excellence. Do the right things for the right reasons and you won't need smoke and mirrors to be a hero. Don't be so sure it won't be your face some day, displayed in a place of honor.