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American Heroes 2 & 3
Team Hoyt
April 5, 2011
Congratulations to Dick and Rick Hoyt, our American Heroes 2 and 3 for 2011.
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By now, thousands of American motorists have seen the billboard above, sponsored by values.com, which wonderfully highlights the value of "devotion" by showing the father/son team of Dick and Rick Hoyt. Their motto of "Yes, you can", is a splendid exhortation for each of us individually and collectively as a nation. Their goal is simple, "to help those who are physically disabled become active members of the community".
In 1962, Rick Hoyt was born with severe disabilities. Consequently, his parents, Dick and Judy, were advised to have him institutionalized. Thankfully for Rick and the multitudes who would eventually be inspired by him, his parents refused to accept that advice.
Even with his severe limitations Dick and Judy soon realized their son DID have good mental capabilities and, therefore, lobbied hard to have him exposed to formal schooling. Since Rick could not speak, in 1977, a special computer was configured which allowed him to spell out words by tapping his head on a device attached to his wheelchair. At age 13 Rick was finally admitted to public school and eventually went on to graduate from Boston University with a degree in special education.
In the spring of 1977 an event transpired that was to forever change them and offer hope to millions. At Ricks's request, the father pushed his son in a wheelchair and together they completed a 5-mile run for the benefit of a paralyzed athlete. Afterward, Rick told his father, "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped." From that race and that comment came a vision for Team Hoyt that has since enabled them, as of this date, to participate together in 1043 races. This April, 2011, at the ages of 70 and 49, Dick and Rick are scheduled to compete in their, can you believe it, 29th Boston Marathon.
Heroes help America, therefore, we salute authentic heroes, like Dick and Rick Hoyt, who, by their example, are helping America become the "City upon a Hill" so courageously envisioned by John Winthrop in 1620.
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Post Script
Our goal is to identify, during 2011, 56 current-day heroes like the ones who, in 1776, signed our Declaration of Independence. If you would like to nominate someone please send your idea to news@americanvalues.com. If you would like to receive this email newsletter, "American Hero News", you may do so by clicking on the link at the bottom.
Carter LeCraw, CEO,
American Values Investments, Inc.
Acknowledgements:
Our thanks are extended to Kathy Boyer of Team Hoyt who helped us obtain permission to feature Team Hoyt in our newsletter and Kindee Nielsen at The Foundation for a Better Life who helped us get permission to use a copy of the image of their "devotion" billboard. |
