“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” — Anne Frank

We all love heroes. I was a “Superman” fan as a kid. 9:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings with George Reeves. At 9:30, it was “Sky King.” Today – each one of us has heroes who have made a difference in our worlds – teachers, friends, parents, strangers. I have posted on two of Admiral William H. McRaven inspiring works: Make Your Bed (April 20, 2017) and The Wisdom of the Bullfrog (November 21, 2023). And now I write on a third — The Hero Code. Admiral McRaven opens the book with those poignant words of Anne Frank. And he continues with a series of chapters – each addressing the qualities of heroes. The opening chapter is on Courage. . . .

“Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all the rest.” — Winston Churchill

In a nutshell, Admiral McRaven speaks of ten qualities of heroes: courage; humility; willingness to sacrifice; integrity; compassion; perseverance; dedication to duty; maintaining hope; using humor to help others; and a willingness to forgive. I want to be a hero. So do you. And the requirements for being one are not rocket science. Have courage. Be a hero. . . . .