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Guestvision...The Visions of The Fans!

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MatthewSearcy@Freightliner.com

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Guestvision By: Matt Searcy <aka> mstalanon

"What MAKES a Hero?"

Especially during this time of strife and turmoil, not only in Iraq but also
the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, Somalia, and lots of other foreign
places where American and British men and women are placed in harm's way to serve their collective countries, but also the continuing economic problems
both here and abroad. What makes a man, woman, child, dog, cat, elephant,
gorilla or webmaster a hero?

Sacrifice? Accomplishments? Or even the sense of WHAT they impart into us all... the sheer energy of WILL?

A "member" of a message board I belong to had the audacity to suggest that
young PFC Jessica Lynch, the Army Clerk that was recently rescued in Iraq
was NOT a hero! Having been placed in harms way at the orders of your
Commander-In-Chief myself, I can all but empathize with Ms. Lynch. Just
imagine what really happened to her: She's in a follow-up unit that took a
wrong turn, and found themselves surrounded by "the enemy". Nearly her
entire unit is killed (just recently we found out that five others apparently survived!! WHOOO HOO!!), and Private First Class Lynch stood her
ground defensively, running out of ammunition, taking multiple gunshot
wounds. She was likewise tortured by her captors. ((A side note should point
out the Iraqi doctor that couldn't take it any more and at RISK OF HIS OWN LIFE, crossed hostile ground to give out information of Private Lynch's whereabouts, not only once, but TWICE to confirm her location. TALK ABOUT A HERO!!))

And then this yutz of a typist has the gall to say that she's NOT a hero! I
was FLABBERGASTED!!

What about the dog that wakes up the family in the burning house, or goes
against normal animal behavior and DIVES below the surface of the water to
drag to the surface a young child that was drowning?

What about the cat that comforts you when you need it the most, and all you
can do is clutch this living, breathing animal and draw strength and comfort
from it??

What about the caged gorilla that rescued the toddler that fell into the
cage, and returned the baby TO THE MOTHER??!!

Or even the sad plight of the Indian Elephant that went on a escaped run
through the city, only to be brutally shot and killed, only following it's
natural creed? Seeing the tortured animal as it was repeatedly injured by
gunshots, yet it was so blood-crazed it couldn't be stopped under normal
means. The greater good had to be recognized, and public safety had to be
the only recognizable outcome. My heart broke watching this happen... and
this elephant had entertained so many in it's captivity. To me, a hero of a
type was born then.

Most of us like Quantum Leap because of the adventurism the show embodies. The premise of a good man (or team if you consider Project: Quantum Leap as the supportive group that they are) that strives constantly to fix problems with the individual or family Sam's "Leapt" in. Or the anguish of watching Al knowing he came this close to fixing things with Beth, yet Sam was there in San Diego to save a police officer's life instead, and was compelled to follow that higher purpose (thank God that Sam went back and fixed his buddy's situation in the finale!).

Is Sam a Hero? It's a personal question that only you can answer.

Personally, I think we have Don P. Bellisario, Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell,
the directors (such as James Whitmore, Jr.), writers (Don P., Deborah Pratt,
etc.), cast and crew of our favorite show. In my mind, like PFC Lynch, they
are all heroes for the pure inspiration that they give those that are blessed just to know what they've done!

Leapers Unite!

Matt