It seems that people who haven't really done anything spectacular are the ones who get all the accolades while those "behind the scenes" (such as, for example, our brave men and women who fight for our freedoms each and every day) hardly get a mention or a second glance.
It doesn't seem right or even fair.
There are several people who deserve as much recognition as those so-called "plastic people" (i.e. celebrities or sports figures) that I know personally.
Take for example, my neighbors, Bill and Louisiana Sandusky, who live up the street from me. They have taken in over fifty children as their very own over the years. Most of the kids hey have adopted have special needs and if it were not for their generous nature or loving hearts, a lot of those children would have remained in orphanages or in a hospital (or institutional) setting. And get this: they are getting ready to adopt a baby girl from Africa; she'll be here within the month!
Or, in another case, a friend's little boy is battling pediatric cancer; he is eight years old and has been in and out of treatment (or hospitals) since the age of two. Yet in spite of everything that he's been through, young Charlie still manages to smile and keep up a positive attitude. I have never heard the kid complain or cry, even once (though I am sure he has had many opportunities to do so). His courage is nothing short of AMAZING!
Still, as another example, look at my own father, Milton, who survived being a prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict, even though he had been severely beaten and tortured. He gave his very life for our country, and when he came home, he was met with jeers, boos, and whatnot, and he was called nasty names or was spat upon. He cannot talk about this without breaking down into tears, and it absolutely breaks my heart. He didn't deserve this, and neither do those who willingly serve our country to defend each and every one of our freedoms!
The heroes I know deserve as much recognition (or even some airtime or mention in a newspaper or magazine) as say, Lindsay Lohen, who is known more for her alcohol-related troubles, her antics, or her time spent in rehab than her acting abilities, or Michael Vick, the pro football player who ran an animal fighting ring involving dogs, which caused a huge outcry from animal rights activists.
If people would only look around and see ordinary people doing good for the benefit of others instead of worshiping or idolizing the wrong people, I believe a lot of the world's problems would then go away. This is why I choose to honor people worthy of my time, such as my Veteran father, my neighbors who reach out in love to needy and/or handicapped children, or my young friend who battles ongoing cancer with the courage of a lion. They are the ones who are really worth crowing about!
