Bobert, I had a friend many years ago who was a really fine artist. When people asked him what he did, he'd say, "I'm a painter." He wouldn't call himself an artist because he felt it would be blowing his own horn.

"I paint pictures," he said. "Whether or not I am an 'artist' is not for me to say, it is for others to judge."

I think the same principle applies here. If Sullenberger were to refer to himself as a "hero" or even agree that he is a hero, how would that sound?

Don Firth