I dislike the word 'hero'. Most 'heroism' is dictated by circumstance and response. To me, someone who does his/her best in the face of life's difficulties already qualifies: single parents, people with health issues who simply continue despite the odds--folks like that. Heroism isn't momentarily 'putting it on the line'. Heroism is putting it on the line for ever. And most people who do that never receive recognition for it.