Quiet Heroes
Several journalists recently have done exceptional work in presenting facets of heroism.
In "To Walk on His Own, He Leans on His Friend," Pamela LeBlanc of the Austin American-Statesman tells how a 17-year-old boy has helped his disabled classmate walk on crutches. The boys are modest about their accomplishments, and LeBlanc's nicely written account is in keeping with their heartwarming story.
Stephanie Earls' "In a Heartbeat" is a longer Albany Times Union article that builds to an intense climax as a doctor struggles to save a girl who was struck in the chest by a horse. Earls provides enough medical background to show that this incident was almost unprecedented, and she ends her narrative at just the right point.
In "Against the Odds: A Sea Turtle's Journey," Diane Tennant of The Virginian-Pilot describes the work of biologists and volunteers who, at often great personal sacrifice, attempt to save Virginia's vanishing sea turtles. By focusing on the fate of one young loggerhead, she builds dramatic tension and pulls the reader to the end of this surprising two-parter.
"We have decided to take your life," by Abukar Albadri in the Los Angeles Times, tells of the death threats and violence journalists face as they try to report from Somalia. At least seven journalists have been killed in Somalia this year.
Have you seen outstanding stories on heroism?
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/26/1026trainer.html
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/storyprint.asp?StoryID=627545
http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=135115&ran=168524
http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=135148&ran=249003
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-threat29oct29,0,3742844,full.story