Daniel Riordan

Daniel Riordan (http://www.semissourian.com/ photos/10/87/06/1087060-S.jpg)

What is a hero? Is it someone who hits a lot of home runs? Is it someone who has a lead role in a movie? Is it someone who has a seven digit paycheck and drives around in a fancy sports car? A hero to me is someone who uses his best qualities to be strong and brave. He will risk his life for the safety of you and your family. It could be a firefighter running into a burning building, a police officer protecting us, or a solider who fights for our freedom.

Daniel Riordan is my personal hero. Dan grew up in my same neighborhood in Oakville. He belonged to Queen of All Saints parish and spent his elementary years there. He then moved on and graduated from St. John Vianney High School. Dan then went on to college at Missouri State under the ROTC program. He was a great student and after graduation he went into the US Army to serve his country.

Dan joined the Army because he felt it was his duty as an American citizen. He was in the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, and 1st Cavalry Division. He was stationed in Iraq to fight the war against terrorism. He died in combat when a roadside bomb went off killing him and some of his fellow soldiers. He died a brave man; he was fighting alongside many other heroes. He was courageous, daring, and a fearless solider. Dan is a hero because he died fighting for the safety of our country.

Dan is a true hero, not just because he died fighting for his country; he is a hero because he showed great personal qualities everyday. He was a good student; he was a good son, and a good role model. He was always helping others and trying to do the right thing. He was involved in the community and involved in his church. Dan is a true hero because he thought of others before he thought of himself.

Dan Riordan fits the profile of a hero. Dan was a brave and patriotic man and should be a hero to all of us. We should not look at someone’s social rank or status to determine if they are a hero. We should look at what the have done or what they are doing to determine if they are a true hero. A true hero is someone who uses his best qualities to be strong and brave.