One Mans Perspective: True heroes

They are not born. They are not made. They are ordinary men faced with extraordinary circumstances.

In the last week, we've honored two who fit this description - one who is still with us, helping to prevent the loss of a young boy, and one who gave his life as he fought for freedom far away from home.

LeRoy Webster has always been a hero to his wife, Jessica and his three daughters. Probably by those closest to him as well. And now, the rest of us know about the Army sergeant because he has made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.

Sgt. Webster joins a fraternity of soldiers - all fallen heroes - who for generations have laid down their lives in loyal service to this country, dedicated to the effort to provide the freedoms we enjoy as Americans to those oppressed beyond our borders.

My brother-in-law - much more like a brother - has served two tours of duty in Iraq with the same 1st Calvary Division out of Fort Hood to which Webster belonged, so I certainly understand the fear associated with having a loved one in harms way that comes on a daily basis.

My heart goes out to the Webster family as they struggle to find life after the loss of a father, husband and son. There are no words that can comfort them in this time, yet those around them will try valiantly to provide that shoulder to cry on.

Hartley has had to endure the loss of two sons in this battle for freedom, a big burden for any community of that size to bear. Yet they have survived and they have provided the needed support for those closest, who are left behind to pick up the pieces.

No words I can offer will honor Sgt. LeRoy Webster enough, so I turn to the Word of God. "There is no greater love than to give up one's life for a friend."

Webster has a lot of unmet friends that live on because of his sacrifice and the sacrifice of those in his life. There is no way to repay such a debt. I paraphrase from the movie "Saving Private Ryan." Live a life honorable of the sacrifice that has been given.

Our second hero, Chief Deputy Brad Hawley with the Clay County Sheriff's Office, will tell you he is no hero. He was just doing his job.

But the truth of the matter is, there's a 5-year-old boy who is playing and laughing today because of the actions he took under pressure on Feb. 6.

Hawley found young Noah Goeken unresponsive and unable to breathe on his own after having been pinned beneath a piece of farm equipment. Hawley was the first on the scene to answer the emergency call and immediately began breathing for the boy, keeping him alive long enough for the medical emergency responders to arrive.

Hawley was honored by Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow, the Board of Supervisors and by the Goeken family Tuesday at the supervisor's meeting with a Lifesaving Award.

There wasn't a dry eye in the room as the tough sheriff's deputy shook hands with the young boy and his father, and received a hug from the mother.

A family was faced with the loss of their son, the quick actions of a Clay County Sheriff's officer - a father himself - under extreme pressure prevented the tragedy. It was very heroic.

When compared to the sacrifice that Webster made, knowing Hawley, he would feel very uncomfortable being compared in the same sentence and definition of heroism. But heroism comes in all shapes and sizes.

Both men served on two different levels on two very different fronts. Webster fighting for freedom for people he didn't know. Hawley acting to save the life of a young neighbor. Webster made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and country. Hawley was able to look the young man in the eye and shake his hand. Two very different circumstances. Yet two heroes none the less.