A hero wakes up one day,
Not knowing what he's going to say,
To the evil at the door,
Will he be forever more,

Heroes are born and raised,
By families who know the way,
Community's deep seated roots,
Recalled as he pulls on his boots,

Out the door... into a war,
Down the street... there's always more,
Even in that desert dry,
Good morning is his battle cry,

Through the day... thinking back,
A lifetime keeps him right on track,
Drawing from his family,
And lessons from community,

War and life... life and war,
Seem to be the daily chores,
Of the heroes in the news,
Of the heroes... just like you,

Thanks to all heroes throughout history, families,
communities,
and the world.

--Patrick Perkinson, 3 October 2011