Real Heroes
The Real Heroes program, launched in September 2006, focuses on specific soldiers who have been recognized for various acts. Described in an article from U.S. News & World Report, the idea of the Real Heroes program "is to tout ordinary people who, when thrust into danger, showed extraordinary courage"
The Real Heroes program uses videos, photo albums and blogs on the Real Heroes website to depict the lives of those featured in the program. Soldiers' likenesses and biographies are incorporated into America's Army and used to create action figures sold at retail and distributed at Army events. Additionally, those featured in the Real Heroes program make media appearances at America's Army events across the country such as the VAE, gaming competitions and Technology Education programs. On January 23, 2007, Real Hero Sergeant Tommy Rieman was recognized by President George W. Bush during his State of the Union address. President Bush affirmed "... and like so many other Americans who have volunteered to defend us, he has earned the respect and the gratitude of our country." Currently, there are eight Real Heroes in the program with other Soldiers being considered for 2009.
| Name | Award | Tour | Selection Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPT Jason Amerine | Bronze Star w V Device | OEF-A | 2006 |
| SGT Tommy Rieman | Silver Star | OIF | 2006 |
| SFC Gerald Wolford | Silver Star | OIF | 2006 |
| SGT Matthew Zedwick | Silver Star | OIF | 2006 |
| SPC Jason Mike | Silver Star | OIF | 2007 |
| SSG Timothy Nein | Distinguished Service Cross | OIF | 2007 |
| SFC Robert David Groff | Bronze Star w V Device | OIF | 2008 |
| SSG John Adams | Bronze Star w V Device | OIF | 2008 |
| SPC Monica Brown | Silver Star | OEF | 2009 |
Read more about this topic: America's Army
Famous quotes containing the words real and/or heroes:
“All real freedom springs from necessity, for it can be gained only through the exercise of the individual will, and that will can be roused to energetic action only by the force of necessity acting upon it from the outside to spur it to effort.”
—Anna C. Brackett (1836–1911)
“We become male automatically because of the Y chromosome and the little magic peanut, but if we are to become men we need the help of other men—we need our fathers to model for us and then to anoint us, we need our buddies to share the coming-of-age rituals with us and to let us join the team of men, and we need myths of heroes to inspire us and to show us the way.”
—Frank Pittman (20th century)