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Uncle Steve

by Taylor from Shippensburg

Approximately 2.27 million people serve in the United States military. Out of that astronomical amount of people, there are the few whose job it is to find, dig up, and diffuse weapons buried with the intent to kill. Some people may admire or respect these few brave men, but I look up to them. One person who performs this life-risking career is my Uncle Steve. Since before I can remember, he has been defending our country and saving people’s lives all around the world. My uncle has several heroic qualities, however, the three that stand out to me the most are his continual selflessness, his bravery, and his never-ending dedication.

Ever since 1981 my uncle has been serving in the United States Navy. Right now he is stationed in the Middle East and currently training the Afghan army how to do his job, which is a job very few people would do. My uncle digs up and disarms weapons that are left over from the Soviet invasion from 1980-1988. Uncovering these weapons is a life-threatening job that takes intelligence, skill, and one-hundred percent selflessness. Anywhere between thirty to fifty people's lives are taken every month because of accidental explosions. My uncle’s job is to protect these people and make the world a safer place. He does this asking nothing in return, and that to me is true selflessness. It takes a special kind of person to save lives, and he is that kind of person.


When hearing the word “hero”, one may think of Superman or Spider-Man. The number one trait that comes to mind for me is bravery. To say my uncle is brave is an understatement. Recently, he and nine other men dug up a 1,100 pound bomb out of someone’s backyard. If this bomb would have detonated, it would have killed everyone in the village. My uncle risks his life to save others every day. There are very few people like that in the world anymore, and I am proud to say that I personally know someone who is a true hero.

Total dedication and commitment to helping others is another trait my uncle has. His first overseas job was from 1986-1987. Ever since then he has been continually serving our country. It takes dedication to know you are able to go home, but to choose instead to risk your life to protect others. Temperatures in Afghanistan during the summer months are known to get as hot as 115 degrees Fahrenheit; during the winter months it has been as cold as 5 degrees Fahrenheit. If the weather was ever to be that extreme in America, we would be advised to stay inside. My uncle, however, does his job continually, year-round, to defend our country.

In conclusion, I am proud to say my uncle is my hero. It takes selflessness to be willing to risk your life expecting nothing in return, bravery to defend our country, and dedication to continually serve our country. Not only is he my hero, he is my role model. He continues to help people and never gives up.

Page created on 3/23/2011 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 3/23/2011 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.