Heroes recognize each other.

They sense it when they have read about or met another person who has the same level of commitment to the greater good as they do.  These heroes are willing to put themselves at risk in order to help or protect others.

Of course, none of them would call themselves heroes. 

But we do. 

Because looking at their lives, we see something special.  We see a level of love and courage and sacrifice in their lives that we just don’t see in our own lives.

My son, David Glasser, who was a Phoenix Police Officer killed in the line of duty on May 18, 2016, loved Pat Tillman’s Honor Run. Each year he signed up for next year’s run as soon as this year’s run was over.  He recruited groups of friends and family every year to run beside him.  And as soon as Micah, his son, was old enough Micah was running in the kid’s run – with Davey right beside him.

Now I realize Davey loved to honor the memory of Pat Tillman because Davey also had the heart of hero beating inside of him.

He shared Pat’s burning need to be more, and give more

and protect more. 

Davey recognized these things in Pat’s life because he had the same passions inside of him.

Crowds of people with #42 on their shirts were running on the streets of Tempe, Arizona yesterday, remembering and honoring a fallen hero.  These crowds remind me of my own fallen blue line hero.

As a soldier, Pat Tillman put himself at risk to serve his country.  As a Police Officer, just like all Police Officers, Davey put himself at risk every day to serve the people in his city.

Pat and Davey both lost their lives because of the heart of a hero that beat inside of them.

Miss you, Davey.

Love you.

_______________

Note: I recently published a book on Amazon, “Then I Looked Up: Losing a Child, Finding His Legacy of Love.” that tells more about Davey’s life, death and my journey of loss.