Angela M. Houtz

( (http://ww2.somdnews.com/stories/09122008/indytop19))

"The thing about a hero, is even when it doesn't look like there's a light at the end of the tunnel, he's going to keep digging, he's going to keep trying to do right and make up for what's gone before, just because that's who he is." (Joss Whedon) Angela is that hero in this quote by Joss Whedon. She was the one who kept trying to make everything right. She was the one who tried to make up for all the bad things that had been done. Angela (Angie) Houtz was born September 6, 1974 in La Plata, MD. She graduated as salutatorian from Maurice J. McDonough High School in 1992. During her school years Angie volunteered and helped tutor young children and her classmates. After college Angie interned at the ONI (Office of Naval Intelligence) and she was then offered a permanent position at the Pentagon as a Regional Analyst. Angela was also the Watch Officer at the Command Center. She was then promoted to Senior Analyst at The Pentagon, where she met my father. My father and Angela worked together for years and years. That unfortunate nine-eleven morning Angie and other friends of my father were working when American Airlines Flight 77 hit The Pentagon, which killed Angela and thousands of other unsuspecting victims who were just trying to make the world a safer place. Angela was loved and cherished by many and her death took a toll on all of her family and friends, including my parents. Angela is the perfect example of a hero, she had acquired selflessness and a caring attitude over the many years working for the NAVY and that is what a true hero must possess. Angela is an American hero for her service to our country and I consider her my hero because she possessed selflessness and a caring attitude towards all individuals.

( (http://www.umbc.edu/newsevents/publications/Genera))

Angela has shown she retains selflessness in many ways. Julie Shontere, Angela's mother writes about her daughter on Angie's memorial/scholarship fund's website: "Angie spent many hours tutoring elementary school children and fellow college students.  A recipient of scholarships herself" (Shontere) This quote proves Angela's magnanimousness by her volunteering all her time, that wasn't spent studying or helping around the house. All Angie wanted to do was help, tutoring children and fellow classmates and volunteering at soup kitchens was the path that she took to  contribute something she thought was helpful to the world. Angela writes a list of things she learned at CNO-IP on a piece of paper found in her desk at The Pentagon:"Things I Learned in CNO-IP: 7. Always strive to be of service. Reject an 'it's not my lane in the road' attitude." (Houtz) This quote from Angie's handwritten list shows that she is very humanitarian and selfless. Angela would always strive to be of service and help in any way shape or form and her note has definitely proven that. Angela Houtz possesses selflessness and has shown it in many different ways.

( (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&G))

Angie has adopted a caring attitude towards all around her and she has shown that in many ways.

Angela's mother creates a memorial/scholarship fund website in honor of her daughter:

"The Scholarship Fund honors Angie Houtz, a victim of the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon." (Shontere) This quote is from Angie's scholarship program it really shows how caring she was to others that they decided to make a scholarship program in Angela's name. Every year one lucky person from Maryland will get up to a $3000 grant to the college of their choice and all of this because of Angie's legacy that she left behind, a person who had a caring attitude towards all individuals. Angela had wrote a list of what she had learned at CNO-IP, this list was found in her desk at The Pentagon: "Things I Learned in CNO-IP: 3. Care about each other as individuals. Be loyal." This list found at Angie's desk shows her caring attitude towards others. The note proves that she truly cares and wants to be of any service possible. Angie has shown how caring her attitude is towards all people.

I consider Angela (Angie) Houtz my hero because she retains selflessness and a caring attitude towards all people. Angie is a very selfless and caring person who only wants to help others. Angela has inspired to become a more selfless and caring person. She made me realize that true happiness comes from helping others.