Editor, OBSERVER:
I read a couple of submissions in the OBSERVER on heroes, or who people regard as heroes. Well if I may make my own contribution:
Heroes are those who worked the mills and mines and spent their retirement coughing up blood as a sacrifice for their family. The ones drafted in past wars who uncomplainingly did their job and suffered wounds, imprisonment and death; those honest ones - whether attorneys, store clerks, politicians, brokers, auto dealers, contractors and others who give a fair return for their services.
Those taking pay cuts or have their salary on hold so their workplace can make it through difficult times; those unpretentious, dedicated ones voluntarily helping others without thought of reward or reclaim; those that work in the fast-food services and other low paying, no benefit jobs (who the useless in our society deride as getting paid in "chump-change). And finally those millions of men and women struggling along, keeping up a bold, positive attitude regardless of the obstacles, forging ahead in their own mettle.
These are ones I regard as heroes.
RALPH BURKE,
Dunkirk
