Courage and Heroism

By Max Wise, 16th District Senator

What does courage and heroism mean to you? I’ve been thinking about this lately. It seems in this day and age, these terms can be hijacked to push certain agendas or sensationalize news items. It seems we have gotten away from the real meaning of what it is to live with courage, and what qualities make up a true hero.

Many people have acted heroically and courageously by facing insurmountable odds without fear, sacrificing safety and comfort to help others, and leading through serving the less fortunate. I found a few examples of the overwhelming acts of heroism and courage that happen almost daily from people of all walks of life.

Perhaps you recall the story of an Indiana high school senior, Lauren Hill, who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Hill was a bright and talented senior who had a dream of playing college basketball. Instead of letting the diagnosis define her, she bravely pursued her goal playing at Mt. St. Joseph in Cincinnati. Through her courage, she was able to bring more attention to find a cure, and raise over $1.5 million to fight pediatric cancer. Though she succumbed to the terminal illness in April, she encouraged people across the U.S. and continues to make an impact in the cancer fighting community.

Other people show traits of heroism as they risk their life on a daily basis to serve their community. First responders; law enforcement officers, EMT professionals show heroism on a regular basis. Recently, a volunteer firefighter named Jonathan French, 25, was killed while helping to put out a vehicle fire. Another firefighter, Whitley City Fire Lt. Arlie ‘Pooh’ Hill, died in 2013 from injuries sustained in responding to a house fire. These are just two of the many who risk injury and life to respond to emergencies.

The stories of people finding a way to help those in their community also define courage and heroism to me. People such as Mick Polly, who has given 622 bikes to children in Whitesburg, KY since 2011, or the late Ms. Betty Turner Campbell who created The Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, KY, where children living with life threatening illnesses and their families could come free of charge and have fun, find respite, feel normal and forget about their every day struggles.

Lauren Hill, Jonathan French, Arlie ‘Pooh’ Hill, Mick Polly and Ms. Betty Turner Campbell are just a small sample of the people all over this nation and all over the world who show courage, fight against the odds, and use the talents and resources at their disposal to make a positive impact on so many lives; they are the heroes in my book.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me so that I may better serve you in Frankfort. To voice your issues and concerns send me a message at 1-800-372-7181 or max.wise@lrc.ky.gov . Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Senator Max Wise (R-Campbellsville) represents the 16th District which encompasses Adair, Clinton, Cumberland, McCreary, Russell, Taylor, and Wayne counties. Senator Wise serves as Chair of the Senate Enrollment Committee; Vice Chair of Education Committee; and a member of Appropriations and Revenue Committee;; Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee; Health and Welfare Committee; and Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee. He also serves as chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation and member of Budget Review Subcommittee on Education, NR, and EP.