Hero's, Who's Yours?
I was listening to the news today and learned that John Wayne would have been 100 today. FoxNews provides the story: "NEW YORK - On the 100th anniversary of John Wayne's birth, the Duke still swaggers through the American psyche as not just an actor, but a patriot. His centennial spawning fond remembrance, and perhaps a few small protests on the side."
Although he starred in over 170 films, is considered one of the most recognized faces in the world and is still an icon in the industry, he started out trying to learn his profession until he created the Wayne image. He went on to create an example of the soft, silent hero that was looked up to for he courage and character. I think I may have seen just about everyone of his films and he rates high on my list of hero's. I view John Wayne as a man of integrity and someone willing to help someone in need.
Where are those hero's today? What icons are standing up for what's right and stepping out to help those who need it. How much money do you need to live on and what can you do to help those who need it. I'm not talking about giving it away, that only provides the immediate need. A saying I like goes like this, "Give a man a fish you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime". We must find the avenues to teach a man to fish!
I was fortunate enough in my life to work for a private foundation, The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which was founded by the late Ewing Marion Kauffman, owner of the Royals baseball team and founder of a pharmaceutical company, Marion Labs and became a billionaire. He left his fortune to the foundation to help the Youth of America and Entrepreneurship. Two causes I have learned to dearly appreciate. Mr K believed in the youth of today and desired to help them get an education and build upon principles of value. In entrepreneurship, he believed that in order for America to succeed, we must build strong businesses and help those who were starting up new businesses.
So why is the youth of today having problems with their identities? Could it be they don't have any heros to look up to in our society today? What can be done to effect a change in this empty, hopeless deficit?
I think it starts with each and every one of us. As parents, we need to stand up and show our families what is right and what is wrong. We need to have a backbone and lead by example. So will we? No better time than now! My father did and he is also my Hero!
So what do you think? Who's your hero?
David L. Britt, MBA
Olathe, Kansas
David L. Britt Real Estate
Heritage Real Estate
The Heritage Real Estate Team
Olathe Neighbors 
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