For some reason while I was walking in the woods I started thinking about childhood heroes. I have never really thought about who my childhood heroes were, but if I had to pick here are a few:
The Hardy Boys – one of them gets caught by the bad guys in every book, but they always get away, solve the mystery, and justice is served, what’s not to like?
Nancy Drew – See Hardy Boys
Data – he’s a robot on a spaceship and is really strong, smart, and fast. He can even beat up on the Borg. Nuf said.
Dolphus Weary – I read his book I Ain’t Comin Back before going on a trip to Mendenhall Mississippi to work with The Mendenhall Ministries with our youth group. Working in Mendenhall was one of my first introductions to a ministry that served people by meeting a wide range of needs (physical, spiritual, economic, educational, legal…). Dolphous was part of starting TMM.
Robert Ballard – the guy found the Titanic…what more does it take to be a childhood hero then that? I remember watching a documentary about him and how he found and explored the Titanic countless times. I kind of wonder if the tape is still at my house…I would watch it again. If I ever have the chance to go down in Alvin and pilot Jason I would take it in an instant.
edit: I just remembered that I had a book about Ballard finding the Titanic also. it had fold out maps of the wreck and everything. I need to try and find it also.
who were your childhood heroes?
You forgot about chet, whose “Hobby of the book” always saves the day.
he-man: fought for good against the evil skeletor, aka “foul demon”. he was strong and secretive about his identity, possibly a sign of humility?
encyclopedia brown: his dad was the police chief and whenever the police couldn’t figure out a crime, he’d “go home to dinner”. encyclopedia (his name) would always solve the case within a couple days. he was a pretty smart kid.
tony hawk: i got to see tony on a tour around the country he did in 1997. he, paul zitser, and willy santos put on a show in a small parking lot in tulsa with only a quarter pipe and a couple of rails. it was one of the best things i remember seeing as a youth. he continues to be a role model to the skateboarding community.
dan frontier: this main character of his self-titled books was always leading people into the wild west. the books were slightly informational on ways people used to do things – a hint at my early interest in history.
I dont think i ever read encyclopedia brown. I think i would have liked it though…it sounds like the stuff i enjoyed.