ashweeeee’s blog

       Brad moved behind the enemy lines with stealthy actions. Never did he think about how this could be his last day, last moment, last breath. He ran dodging bullet after bullet, grenade after grenade, fighting for his country. His orders were given, and all he had to do was to secure the house where the insurgents were camped out. Nothing mattered to him at that moment except serving out his orders and saving his fellow “brothers.”  So why is it that when he gets back home, he is awarded a hero and has medals showing his courage? In his eyes all he did was his job, the reason he joined the army to begin with.

            In most people’s eyes anyone serving in our armed forces has great courage. They are doing something for their country that could ultimately end their lives. Of course they have to feel fear, because without fear there really isn’t courage, right? Is courage that feeling that you’re supposed to be humble about and not notice you have it or is it the drive and determination that comes before doing something dangerous? In my eyes I believe that as a society we throw that word around too much. We say that people have a lot of courage just because of his or her job or lifestyle, but if you asked that person if they thought they had courage their answer will most likely be no. This just shows us how many different meanings are behind the word courage. It symbolizes this great, even sometimes powerful, thing that springs up in people of all shapes and sizes.

            Sarah walks to school in her hand-me-down clothes, torn shoes, and dirty face. Thoughts of her parents arguing over their money troubles, and how they were going to get their next meal were racing through her adolescent mind. She knew it was up to her to keep her family together. She continues to think about what she will say when she acts like the grown up mediator tonight. She talks to her teacher about her situation and her teacher tells her how courageous she is being. Sarah doesn’t understand how she is being courageous when she is just being a good daughter. To me Sarah also shows a tremendous amount of courage. Yet you don’t hear them complain of her life or asking why she had to have this life. She doesn’t play the victim or even hopeless and helpless. Compared to someone in uniform who in a way asked to be there. She is forced into a situation where she has to show her independence and hide her weaknesses.

            Mary Anne Radmacher once said, “ Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying. “I will try again tomorrow.” This quote shows the two sides of courage perfectly. There is the army man who puts his life on the line almost every day of his life for his country, but is humble about his courageous acts. On the other there is the child trying to just be there for their family and help them through this tough time. One large roar fighting to protect their country, and one quiet voice trying to protect just their small family. To me courage is that something that others should have to point out to you. It’s that thing you are unaware of and would never have thought about it until someone close to you says it aloud. You don’t feel it; you show it in your actions and accomplishments. Its’ your strength and determination to get through a difficult situation, but being well aware of the fear that comes along with getting over that hump.