This document discusses real-life heroes such as police officers, firefighters, and members of the military. It notes that while many people think of fictional superheroes, these occupations actually work to protect civilians every day, with police having reduced crime in New York City and firefighters rescuing over 54,000 people in one year. Members of the military also sacrifice greatly, with over 4,000 deaths in Iraq and 2,000 in Afghanistan as well as many wounded. The document encourages appreciating these real heroes who put their lives on the line.

1. HeroesHeroes
By Anthony Zhu Pd 2

2. What do you think of when you hearWhat do you think of when you hear
the word hero, or superhero?the word hero, or superhero?
 When someone asks someone, “Who is yourWhen someone asks someone, “Who is your
favorite superhero”, many answer with afavorite superhero”, many answer with a
fictional superhero, myself included. Many oftenfictional superhero, myself included. Many often
forget about the heroes and the superheroesforget about the heroes and the superheroes
who protect us everyday.who protect us everyday.

3. What is a hero?What is a hero?

4. Police officersPolice officers
 Probably the most scrutinized profession in thisProbably the most scrutinized profession in this
slideshow are police officers. Many see theslideshow are police officers. Many see the
police as inconveniences and nuisances. Manypolice as inconveniences and nuisances. Many
adolescents respond to them with sayings suchadolescents respond to them with sayings such
as “F#@k the police.” Even though not all ofas “F#@k the police.” Even though not all of
them are necessarily “good people”, the policethem are necessarily “good people”, the police
are an important part of our society.are an important part of our society.

5. Numbers Don’t LieNumbers Don’t Lie
 In NYC from 2000 until 2012, reports of mostIn NYC from 2000 until 2012, reports of most
of the major felony offenses have dropped.of the major felony offenses have dropped.
Felonies such as murder, grand larceny, assault,Felonies such as murder, grand larceny, assault,
and rape have all dropped. I am not an advocateand rape have all dropped. I am not an advocate
for the police, but I do believe that civiliansfor the police, but I do believe that civilians
should appreciate the police.should appreciate the police.

6. Fire FightersFire Fighters
 Firefighters play a pivotal role in the safety ofFirefighters play a pivotal role in the safety of
civilians in NYC. In 2012 alone, there was half acivilians in NYC. In 2012 alone, there was half a
million reported incidents of fires and othermillion reported incidents of fires and other
situations that they had to respond to. Fromsituations that they had to respond to. From
those incidents, they rescued over 54 thousandthose incidents, they rescued over 54 thousand
people.people.

7. MilitaryMilitary
 The forgotten heroes. Military personnel fromThe forgotten heroes. Military personnel from
all branches of the military are spending theirall branches of the military are spending their
lives right now further protecting many of thelives right now further protecting many of the
rights we take for granted. Five branches of therights we take for granted. Five branches of the
bravest men and women are often willing to diebravest men and women are often willing to die
for the country we all love.for the country we all love.

9. The Costs of WarThe Costs of War
 During the Iraq War, over 4000 service men andDuring the Iraq War, over 4000 service men and
women have given their lives, as well as over 2000 inwomen have given their lives, as well as over 2000 in
Afghanistan. 1000 service members have sufferedAfghanistan. 1000 service members have suffered
wounds from those conflicts and those wounds led towounds from those conflicts and those wounds led to
amputations. They all protect us and make sure ouramputations. They all protect us and make sure our
freedoms don’t ever get taken away. And they protect itfreedoms don’t ever get taken away. And they protect it
by giving up limbs and sometimes their lives. Neverby giving up limbs and sometimes their lives. Never
forget about the freedoms that you have. Freedoms thatforget about the freedoms that you have. Freedoms that
people have DIED for. The ultimate sacrifice.people have DIED for. The ultimate sacrifice.

10. InterviewInterview
 I was very lucky to speak with someone in theI was very lucky to speak with someone in the
armed forces today. He is a hero, as with all ofarmed forces today. He is a hero, as with all of
the people who protect our lives. His name isthe people who protect our lives. His name is
David Lee and he is in the Army.David Lee and he is in the Army.
 (Interview read off of cards)(Interview read off of cards)

11. ArticleArticle
 Here is an article I would like to read to the classHere is an article I would like to read to the class
to demonstrate the things soldiers in the militaryto demonstrate the things soldiers in the military
have to go through.have to go through.
http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130508/NEWS/305080017/3-Marine-officers-
dismissed-wake-deadly-mortar-accident-Hawthorne-Nev-

12. QuestionsQuestions
 What makes a hero? What are a hero’s specialWhat makes a hero? What are a hero’s special
qualities?qualities?
 Can anybody be a hero?Can anybody be a hero?
 What can you do to be a hero?What can you do to be a hero?

13. Additional InformationAdditional Information
 http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/home/homehttp://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/home/home
 http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/home2.shtmlhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/home2.shtml
 http://www.goarmy.com/http://www.goarmy.com/
 http://www.marines.comhttp://www.marines.com
 www.airforce.comwww.airforce.com
 www.navy.comwww.navy.com

14. Cited PageCited Page
 http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/phttp://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/p
df/analysis_and_planning/citywide_historical_sdf/analysis_and_planning/citywide_historical_s
even_major_felony_offenses_2000-2012.pdfeven_major_felony_offenses_2000-2012.pdf
 http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/pdf/vital_statshttp://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/pdf/vital_stats
_2012_cy.pdf_2012_cy.pdf
 http://journalistsresource.org/studies/internatihttp://journalistsresource.org/studies/internati
onal/conflicts/us-military-casualty-statistics-onal/conflicts/us-military-casualty-statistics-
costs-war-iraq-afghanistan-post-911costs-war-iraq-afghanistan-post-911

15. Last WordsLast Words
 We should stop worshipping these superheroes that writersWe should stop worshipping these superheroes that writers
created. We should focus on the heroes in our everyday lives.created. We should focus on the heroes in our everyday lives.
Instead of thinking of Batman, Superman, or Ironman when weInstead of thinking of Batman, Superman, or Ironman when we
hear the word superhero, we should think of our own, realhear the word superhero, we should think of our own, real
superheroes. Police officers, fire fighters, and the military. Theysuperheroes. Police officers, fire fighters, and the military. They
actually give up their personal freedoms and put their lives onactually give up their personal freedoms and put their lives on
the line to protect us. These fictional superheroes may give usthe line to protect us. These fictional superheroes may give us
entertaining movies to watch, they should not be mentioned inentertaining movies to watch, they should not be mentioned in
the same light as our heroes. When you see a police officer, firethe same light as our heroes. When you see a police officer, fire
fighter, or service man or woman, say thank you. It’s a small andfighter, or service man or woman, say thank you. It’s a small and
very simple gesture of gratitude for what they do for us. Civiliansvery simple gesture of gratitude for what they do for us. Civilians
will never understand how much they give to us.will never understand how much they give to us.