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Tag: hero

  • Kendall Jenner Thinks ‘DWTS’ Contestant, Alek Skarlatos, Is The Perfect Guy For Her

    Kendall Jenner Thinks ‘DWTS’ Contestant, Alek Skarlatos, Is The Perfect Guy For Her

    After his jaw dropping heroic act last August, Alek Skarlatos, now has surprised as all with his jaw-dropping dancing skills with his debut in Dancing with the Stars premiere last Monday night.

    Alek Skarlatos was a former Oregon Army National Guard who with his his two friends, U.S. Airman Spencer Stone and Anthony Sadler, helped stop a suspected terrorist who was armed with AK-47  on a French train in August.

    He received praises and invitations from the likes of President Obama, Donald Trump and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Alek Skarlatos said he never expected to be on Dancing with the Stars.

    “Never in a million years did I think I’d get that offer,” Skarlatos said Saturday during a break in dance practice with his partner, Lindsay Arnold. “It’s all brand new and crazy to me.” Alek Skarlatos had never danced before but he danced professionally last Monday night and wowed the judges.   Judge Carrie Ann Inaba praised Alek Skarlatos’ for his grace and techniques. “I did not expect that at all… showed us one of the best dances of the night,” Inaba said. Judge Julianne Hough joined in praising Alek Skarlatos, “the surprise of the night.” And Judge Bruno Tonioli said that despite his lack of dance experience, Skarlatos was no fish out of water, but was “born to ballroom.” Alek Skarlatos and partner scored 22 points, tying them for third place. Because of his heroic acts and unbelievable dancing skills, Alek Skarlatos earned a lot of admirers including, Kendall Jenner.

    A source told HollywoodLife, “Kendall saw him on the season premiere last night and was like “I want to meet that guy.” She heard what he did on the train headed to Paris and would love to meet this real life hero.”

    Kendall also thinks that Alek is the perfect guy for her.

    “A handsome guy with depth and integrity, that’s how she described him,” added the source. “She thinks he’s adorable.”

  • Phil Robertson, Mike Huckabee Set for Houston Event Supporting Subpoenaed Pastors

    Houston is hosting an event to support the five pastors who were subpoenaed for their remarks about a controversial Houston ordinance.

    The event will feature Phil Robertson, son Alan Robertson, as well as Mike Huckabee.

    A bit of background on the event.

    It’s another one of those stories that changes depending on who you ask. Some will tell you that it is one of the biggest assaults on religious freedom in the United States. Others would tell you the whole things is being blown out of proportion and was never meant to be any sort of infringement.

    Houston, Texas is in the middle of a fight over something called HERO, an equal rights ordinance passed in May that would prevent employers from discriminating against anyone based on their “sexual orientation” or “gender identity.”

    As The Blaze reports, “The new regulations would allow transgendered individuals to file complaints if they are denied restroom usage and would ban discrimination in both business and housing.”

    These points of the ordinance started a wave of concerns from people who do not want to share workplace restrooms with transgender folks.

    Faith leaders in Houston, pastors and so forth, began collecting signatures to get a ballot referendum on the Ordinance on the November ballot. But when the signatures were examined, many were invalidated due to the signors not actually being Houston residents, not having filled out the petition properly, etc. The referendum would not go forward since not enough valid signatures had been collected.

    Faith leaders responded by suing the city of Houston. In preparation for that suit, the city subpoenaed paperwork from churches that were linked to activists opposed to the HERO ordinance. The subpoenas included “sermons” in its scope of coverage.

    The wording of the subpoena was very general, and wound up igniting the aforementioned “assault on religious freedom” firestorm in Houston. Houston Mayor Annise Parker has withdrawn the subpoenas in question.

    Still, the event is being held in Houston today. It is called “I Stand,” meaning “I stand with the pastors in Houston.” Only five pastors in Houston were affected by the subpoenas. The intent was to gather information about the anti-HERO effort so as to form a defense for the City in the lawsuit. It would have had no effect on what the pastors were “allowed” to say to their congregants. Their remarks are already open for the public to hear.

  • Man Catches Baby That Fell From Window

    Man Catches Baby That Fell From Window

    It was one of those hair-raising moments that could have ended in tragedy, but thankfully didn’t.

    An infant climbed out of a second-story window during a storm and lost his balance. Luckily, a heroic stranger was there to prevent the very young child from being harmed.

    The incident was captured on a nearby CCTV camera and was later uploaded to the internet.

    The YouTube video of the baby being rescued was posted on May 22nd and is already at over 900,000 views.

    In the video, a man identified as Mr. Li is seen walking down the street in the middle of an intense thunderstorm. Li looks up and spots a 1-year-old infant that has climbed onto a window ledge.

    It’s quite possible the little guy was terrified by the storm and was looking for his mother, who apparently had stepped away momentarily.

    In the video you can see Li and concerned neighbors panicking, trying to signal to the infant to go back into his home.

    They also grab what items they can, such as cardboard boxes and an ottomans, to try their best to cushion the fall of the youngster should he lose his balance.

    Finally, Li reaches up, preparing to catch the child should he fall. With the ledge growing slippery from the falling rain, inevitably the baby came tumbling down.

    You can tell when the slip occurred based on the horrified expressions of the adults below.

    Li moved quickly to position himself (as did another neighbor named Mr. Hu) and the infant was captured by the startled man.

    The adults gather around to ensure that the baby was okay. At the end of the video, the relieved young mother can be seen carrying in the infant away.

    Said Li, “I didn’t think too much at the time. I was just afraid of failing to catch him.” He added, “It was nothing but human instinct to do so.”

    Human instinct or not, Li is a hero to at least two people today: A young mother and a baby who may not have lived to see birthday number two had it not been for the man’s quick thinking and reflexes.

    Image via YouTube

  • Clint Eastwood Saves Man From Choking To Death

    If you accidentally bite off more than you can chew, there’s one actor who you will definitely want around should you start choking: Clint Eastwood.

    The legendary actor recently called on his powers of observation to save another man from choking at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. The incident occurred on the eve of the golf event at dinner.

    “I looked in his eyes and saw that look of panic people have when they see their life passing before their eyes,” says Eastwood.

    The man with his “life passing before his eyes” was none other than the Pro-Am tournament director, Steve John. John “looked pretty bad.”

    Well, when you accidentally swallow a large piece of food things are going to look bad. Luckily Eastwood knew what to do, quickly performing the Heimlich maneuver on the hapless John.

    “I gave him three good jolts, and that got it out. And then I made him drink a big glass of water with a bunch of lemon squeezed in it.”

    Eastwood admits that he’s never actually used the maneuver before. That’s right: Eastwood saved someone’s life despite actually never having attempted to do so before. Pretty awesome.

    What led to this bizarre scenario of a golf director being rescued by a largely retired action star?

    John says, “We were just talking. A piece of cheese went in my mouth, and suddenly I couldn’t breathe. It was as bad as it could have been.”

    You see, kids? This is why your mother always nags you about the whole, “Don’t talk with your mouth full.” Not only is it typically a visual gross-out, but it can lead to you choking to death. Unfortunately for many of us in such a scary situation, Clint Eastwood won’t be around to save the day.

    “Clint came up behind me, and he knew exactly what to do. He lifted me right off the ground. He’s strong! The cheese popped out, and I was fine. Clint saved my life.”

    It was the tournament director’s good luck that the 83-year-old was there as chairman of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation to present the trophy to the tournament winner. Maybe they’ll invite him back next year…just in case he’s needed.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Tyler Doohan Honored By Firefighters At Funeral

    On the early morning of Monday, January 20, 9-year-old Tyler Doohan noticed his grandfather’s home in Penfield, New York was on fire. Tyler woke up when his 4-year-old cousin’s blanket caught fire. He then woke up four adults and two children – ages 4 and 6 – who were sleeping. While trying to help his disabled grandfather get out of the trailer, they both died, as well as another relative.

    On Wednesday, Tyler, his 54-year-old grandfather Stephen Smith, and his 63-year-old step-great-grandfather Lewis Beach were laid to rest. Their funerals were held at the St. John of Rochester Catholic Church.

    Firefighters from all over Rochester, as well as some from as far as Buffalo, were in attendance wearing their dress blues and white gloves.

    While holding a red and white helmet with Tyler’s name on it, Penfield Fire Chief Chris Ebmeyer said, “This is a helmet we give to the family to symbolize that Tyler is indeed a part of the brotherhood of firefighters, as an honorary firefighter in Penfield.”

    Tyler’s mother Crystal Vrooman said, “I wish you were here for me to hold you. I know you don’t want to see us sad, but we will see you again someday; and we will be happy again. You will never be forgotten.”

    A basketball team from Silver Lake College of the Holy Family in Manitowoc, Wisconsin were so moved by Tyler’s heroism that they traveled overnight to serve as pallbearers. “The players were taken with the story. Our core values are compassion and community and we teach them that compassion has no limits and community has no boundaries. They looked at this as if it happened next door,” said Silver Lake College coach Phil Budervic.

    Many took to Twitter to show their respects for such a young, brave boy.

    The cause of the fire is currently being attributed to an electrical problem, but it is still under investigation.

    Image via YouTube.

  • Nelson Mandela, Former President Of South Africa, Dies At Age 95

    Nelson Mandela was a pioneer of peace, freedom and unity. The man who served 27 years in prison due to his opposition to South Africa’s apartheid laws, and later became the president of South Africa, died today.

    He will be remembered as a hero of the people, and one of the most significant leaders in history. The news was officially announced by South African President Jacob Zuma, when said “We’ve lost our greatest son.”

    Nelson Mandela was born Rolihlahla, meaning “Troublemaker,” on July 18, 1918. He was renamed Nelson by a teacher in school. His health has been in decline for several years now, but he was able to extend his life through his power and perseverance, dying at the old age of 95.

    Mandela was a pioneer of human rights, and has been the subject of several films including Invictus, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, Winnie, and more. He was one of the nation’s first black lawyers, and he joined the African National Congress in 1952, devoting his life to peacefully ending apartheid. He soon shifted his fight to the streets, and began to live on the run.

    Nelson Mandela was later forced to serve 27 years in the Robben Island prison for conspiracy and sabotage, before getting out, and being able to change the country for the better. He has been looked up to as a hero by many people all over the world.

    African American poet Maya Angelou spoke of Mandela’s character when saying “Mandela represents the best any of us can hope for. He was a great man. … And I’m grateful. The world is better for having him.”

    Mandela was a very important figure in the 20th century, and people all over the world have been reacting to his death in a very touching way. His death is a great loss to all that knew him, or those that appreciated him for the great man that he was.

    Celebrities, politicians, and citizens around the world have shown their support for the former leader, and will continue to do so with his upcoming funeral being held in South Africa. The Huffington Post released a slideshow of a wide variety of politicians who have all made statements about Nelson Mandela, and what he meant to them, including everyone from President Obama, to former President Clinton, and many others.

    After choosing to only serve one five-year term as president, Mandela accomplished a lot for his people including introducing free health care for children, and he stepped up government investment in housing, education, jobs and infrastructure.

    Nelson Mandela was a hero to many people around the world, and because of the things he accomplished, he is likely to continue to inspire people for generations to come.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Louisville Football Coach Helps Save Child

    A football coach in Louisville, Kentucky is being called a hero after he jumped into a hole to save a small child on Thursday evening. A 2-year-old girl fell into a 14-foot hole at Russell Lee Park in Louisville while playing, and after hearing the commotion, youth football coach Terrance Washington jumped into action.

    “The deafening sounds of that child screaming regardless of what’s in the way puts you in a position just to react,” Washington said. Washington was leading a football practice when he heard the screams and saw a group of people forming. After Washington dashed over to the group and saw that a small child had fallen into a well hole, the coach went down into the hole to try to help toddler Myahana Moore.

    Myahana’s cousin, Michelle Powell, described the family as being frantic. “We were scared, we were screaming, we couldn’t get it together,” Powell said. Fortunately for them, Washington didn’t hesitate to risk his life to help the child. “As a parent, you don’t want to hear that scream and I immediately needed to get down to her,” Washington explained.

    Other coaches helped lower Washington down into the hole where he remained with the child until the two were rescued. Washington lowered himself a little bit at a time to reach the crying child. “You pray on the way down and it’s in God’s hands. My job was to get to that child. 12 years in the military, I think instinct kicked in. No man left behind,” Washington said. After Washington reached Myahana, he was able to keep her calm until a rescue crew arrived. “She wasn’t moving, just screaming and then she put her arms around me. I knew in that moment everything was going to be okay,” he said.

    The Louisville football coach and toddler were down in the hole for about an hour and 15 minutes before being pulled to safety. Both Washington and the Myahana were checked out at the hospital and are fine.

    While the incident had a happy ending, could it have been prevented? Russell Lee Park, which was closed following the incident, reportedly has multiple holes. Football coach Adrean Harris said that they were aware of the holes in the area where they practice and that they had asked the city to fill them in the past.

    “We cover ’em up every day through practice,” Harris said. “I know it has been here since last year and we’ve been asking for them to cover it up, and we haven’t gotten no response yet.” Marty Storch of the Metro Parks Department said they haven’t found a record of such a report, but are very concerned with public safety, “The first thing we’re looking at is public safety, and that’s why we turned the lights on last night. It’s why we had the police stay here, that’s why we put the caution tape up,” Storch said.

    Image via YouTube

  • Dog Babysitter: Dog Alerts Parents of Abuse

    Benjamin and Hope Jordan have experienced a parents worst nightmare: someone abusing their child. However, thanks to their loyal family pet, Killian, a black lab and German shepherd mix, they were able to discover the abuse and inform authorities.

    Alexis Khan, 22 had been working for the Jordan family, watching 7-month-old, Finn Jordan, for nearly 5 months when the parents started realizing something was wrong and got suspicious.

    “We noticed the dog was getting very defensive when Alexis was around. He would growl and stand between her and our son. His hair would stand up on the back of his neck and we knew something was up,” Benjamin said.

    http://youtu.be/mbY6JPqX3nA

    They decided to investigate, what they thought, was abuse to their dog. They placed an iPhone under the living room couch and recorded Khan while she was babysitting. What they heard shocked them completely. She wasn’t abusing the dog, but rather their 7-month-old baby.

    Khan could be heard telling the infant to “shut the f*** up” and then calling him expletives. There was also sounds that sounded like slapping and shaking and the child’s cry was changing “from a distress cry to a pain cry.”

    “Who knows how many children she has abused or how many more she would have had it not been for our dog,” asked Benjamin.

    “Had our dog not alerted us to the trouble… it could have been Finn that was killed by the babysitter. You never know,” Benjamin said.

    Khan was charged on Monday and plead guilty to assault and battery. She was then sentenced to one to three years in prison and is never allowed to work with children again.

    Image via Thinkstock

  • Cory Booker Saved Another Dog Last Night After Responding to a Twitter Tip

    America’s SuperMayor Cory Booker is well-known for his hands-on approach to governing the city of Newark, New Jersey. So hands-on, in fact, that he’s turned himself into a local hero of sorts. Seriously, this guy is a one-man rescue squad.

    You may know Booker from such feats of daring and kindness as that time he rescued an elderly woman from a burning house, or that time he invited some displaced Hurricane Sandy victims over to his house for lunch. There’s also that time he helped stabilize a pedestrian who had been hit by a car. Oh yeah, and he also saved a freezing dog back in January.

    Now, it appears, he’s saved another dog. This time it was a neglected puppy who had been locked in a crate in a vacant lot for a few days.

    Booker was notified of the animal abuse in progress via Twitter and immediately jumped into action:

    He later thanked the tipster and his wife for their compassion:

    All of this heroism certainly can’t hurt his chances in the fall, when he’ll be on the ballot to replace deceased U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is planning on hosting a fundraiser for Booker in the coming days.

    [Photo via Facebook]

  • Turkey Baster Rescue: Man Saves Baby’s Life With Thanksgiving Utensil

    Turkey basters are usually kept in the kitchen, but when you’re faced with a tough decision that must be made in a split second, sometimes you have to get creative with how it’s used.

    Michigan man Bill Hogenson was working in the neighborhood when he heard cries for help from a woman in a nearby house, and ran over to find the 5-month old she was babysitting choking on something. Reacting quickly, he began CPR on the infant. When that didn’t work, he grabbed the baster and used it as a bulb syringe to suck the mucus from the baby’s nose and throat.

    “We heard one of the babysitters talking on the phone to 911 saying that the baby is purple and not breathing,” said Hogenson. “At first I was in disbelief that did I just hear that. So I started jogging towards her. I went to the drawer and found a turkey baster and used the turkey baster to clear her nasal passage and her airway. Patted her on the back some more, then spun her around and got a good look at her and she quit crying and she smiled at me and I knew that we were going to be in the good.”

    The baby’s parents, Shawn and Robin Gasciogne, say they are indebted to Hogenson and insist it was fate that led him to the babysitter’s home that day.

    “If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have this beautiful baby here now, and we are forever grateful,” Shawn Gasciogne said.

    Infants are, unfortunately, susceptible to choking on mucus because their nasal passages aren’t fully formed yet; they can even spit up and have it come out their nose. The best thing to do if a baby starts to get choked is to keep a calm head and clear the passages as soon as possible.

    CBS Atlanta 46

  • Theatergoing Hero Threw Woman’s Cellphone When She Refused to Shut Up, Stop Googling

    Kevin Williamson is a theater critic and a writer for the National Review. This does not make him a hero. What does make him a hero is that he took action on an impulse that plenty of us have battled from time to time: physically separating the loud, obnoxious, moviegoer who won’t turn off their damn phone from said phone.

    In Williamson’s case, we’re talking theatergoers here. But the principle remains the same: When you’re at a play, turn off your phone you self-absorbed butthole. I promise you that nothing you’re doing is that important. Promise.

    As he tells it, the night began with a couple of annoying women who were “talking, using their phones, and making a general nuisance of themselves.” The audience was watching a performance of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, and two women with “too much makeup and too-high heels, and insufficient attention span for following a two-hour musical” were preventing everyone from enjoying the show. Or at least preventing Williamson, as he was seated right next to them.

    Williamson claims his date spoke to theater management during intermission, whose assurances that the situation would be taken care of wound up being hollow.

    I’ll let him take it from there:

    The lady seated to my immediate right (very close quarters on bench seating) was fairly insistent about using her phone. I asked her to turn it off. She answered: “So don’t look.” I asked her whether I had missed something during the very pointed announcements to please turn off your phones, perhaps a special exemption granted for her. She suggested that I should mind my own business.

    So I minded my own business by utilizing my famously feline agility to deftly snatch the phone out of her hand and toss it across the room, where it would do no more damage. She slapped me and stormed away to seek managerial succor. Eventually, I was visited by a black-suited agent of order, who asked whether he might have a word.

    Williamson tells Gothamist that some rude Googling on the device is what eventually prompted him to remove it from her possession. He was eventually kicked out and says that “there is talk of criminal charges.”

    Whatever happens, we salute you. No, I’m not going to suggest that every annoying movie or theater attendee who refuses to follow simple rules and courtesies should be separated from their iPhones – but if I happened to be one of the crowdmembers enjoying Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 that fateful night, well, let’s just say the play (which he says was quite good) wouldn’t have been the only thing to receive a standing O.

    Of course, as of now, this is a one-sided story.

  • Student Suspended After Disarming Gunman on School Bus

    Despite being hailed as a hero by some, a student who wrestled a gun away from another teen on a school bus has now been suspended from school.

    According to a report from the Fort Myers, Florida Fox affiliate, the incident occurred last week, when the student wrestled a loaded .22 caliber revolver from a fellow 15-year-old student’s hands after it had been pointed at a classmate. Two other students then helped to disarm the suspect, who’s name has not been released but who was reportedly a member of the Cypress Lake High School football team.

    The Lee County School District subsequently suspended the “hero” for three days. According to Fox, the suspension referral states that he was “part of an incident” where a weapon was present. According to the student’s mother, the suspension is retaliation for the student refusing to participate in the investigation into the incident.

    “It’s dumb,” said the student. “How they going to suspend me for doing the right thing?” [sic]