Heroism is not difficult to define and heroes are not difficult spot.
Heroes run toward peril, often their own, when the rest of us are running away.
Vail’s Donovan Pavilion was packed with heroes this week for the sixth annual Rotary Public Safety Appreciation Awards. It’s no coincidence that it’s held around the anniversary of 9/11.
“You are the heroes of Eagle County, putting yourself in harm’s way every day,” Rabbi Joel Newman told the crowd during his keynote address.
Newman, 24 years a Navy chaplain, spent more than his share of time in combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He looked out at the crowd of first responders and captured their collective mindset with a quote from the Prophet Isaiah, “Here am I, lord. Send me.”
And so they go.
Some are professionals. Others like Vail Mountain Rescue are volunteers.