Modern Day Hero

In today's society, it is hard to know someone who another person can look up to as a hero. It takes a special quality and person for others to know they can look up to and follow without worrying about being lead astray. The modern day hero I have chosen is someone who not only is willing to lay his life down for another, but also is willing to fight for everyone's freedom.

James A. Miller Jr. is that modern day hero; he is a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corp. For the last year, he has been overseas fighting for not only the lives of all Americans, but he is also trying to free the Iraqi Government and people.

Growing up, I always thought of him as just my baby brother. After he joined the Marines in 1993, I have seen him grow into a young man who many look up to. Not only do my children and his look up to him, but many others do also. James is a smart, good-looking young man whom everyone enjoys being around. He is into hunting, fishing and being outdoors which are just some of his favorite hobbies. He loves spending time with his family and doing whatever he can with them when the time allows.

James and all the men and women who are willing to serve and protect are the real heroes of our day and age. They should be commended for the service they provide.

James is in charge of the Combined Anti-Armor Team. Being a section leader, he is in charge of 30 to 45 Marines, 8 Hummers, 6 machine gun variants and 2 tow variants, (TOW) is Tube launched Optical command linked Wire guided missile. Over the past year, he has had 9 months of float, 3 combat operations in 3 different areas in the world. Some of the areas he has been are Kosovo, Djibotia, Africa and Iraq. During one of his tours of combat, his unit was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). The PUC is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States for extraordinary acts of heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after 7th of December 1941. The unit must display such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extreme difficult and hazardous contributions as to set it apart and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of a Distinguished Service Cross to an individual.

This past year, having been overseas helping fight for the freedom of many lives, James has worked with many men and women that could be classified as heroes; those who went above and beyond the call of duty to save the lives of others. He recommended several men in his unit for special citations due to those acts of honor. While in battle, James has encountered not only enemy fire, but also witnessed the loss of one of his men because of the enemy fire. Although he has witnessed not only death, destruction and even caused it, he is still the sweetest man around.

Comparing him to a mythological hero of war was hard; there have been many heroes in the past that has laid their lives down for their country. The classical hero I chose to compare my brother and hero to is Sir Lancelot of the Lake. Lancelot, after being abandoned by his mother, was supposedly raised by the Lady of the Lake. Lancelot came to King Arthur's Court a mere young lad and turned into a knight by doing many valiant deeds for the king and kingdom. During his time in court, he saved the life of the Queen and the lives of many others. During his service with King Arthur, Sir Lancelot became known as the greatest hero and knight of the Round Table while feared by many and loved by all.

James and Sir Lancelot have many qualities that are similar; they both fought for what they believed in and