Who Is Your Hero?

Do you have a personal hero? Tell us about them. It doesn’t have to be perfect to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Your Everyday Hero: Michael O.

Mike was my first boyfriend of six years; he died four years ago on August 8, 2004, at the young age of 20. He was tubing down a river with his friends when someone yelled "waterfall"! They all managed to get out of the river and onto shore except one of his friends. She fell in the river right before the falls and was clinging to a large rock. Mike was a VERY strong swimmer and jumped back in the river to pull her from the rock. The current was too strong and drug them away and over three sets of falls. As they were headed over the falls, Mike curled her up into a ball and wrapped his entire body around her to protect her from the rocks. Minutes later she washed up on shore badly injured but not in a life threatening situation. Mike was found two days later at the bottom of the falls trapped by rocks. When the search and rescue team pulled him out I ran to him and hugged him. His body was still in the position of holding someone, like he never let go. His arms were wrapped and his knees were up. He was not badly injured, we think he hit his head on a rock going down and didn't suffer (thankfully). When he was alive he was always helping people and was a strong figure in his family, helping raise his little sister, Katie. He wanted to join the Coast Guard search and rescue. He would have been happy to know he saved someone's life. He is truly a hero. He was my first love and I'll never forget him. I love you Michael. Love, Sarah.

Story was submitted anonymously