The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the term hero as follows:

“Hero” is defined as a man or woman admired for his or her achievements and personal qualities.

I am concerned about some of the so-called societal and athletic heroes of which American’s youth are exposed to today. But what saddens me more is the fact that many of our youngsters have to go far beyond their own neighborhoods to find people they idolize.

I can honestly say that all the heroes I have had throughout my life were individuals I knew personally. To my fortune, I had the opportunity to observe my role models in action – both in word and deed. They say home is where the heart is. Let me take that a step further; it’s also where the true heroes and heroines are.

My icons were my mother and father, grandmother and grandfather. Yeah, I know, corny; but the gospel truth. And guess what, my hometown idols grew. First there were my elementary and high school teachers and wrestling coaches; men and women who continued to mold my character and personality. I could name names, but it’s only important that I know and revere them. To you, they would have no relevance.

The importance is what they all taught me in the home, in the classroom, and on the wrestling mat. Each and every one of them molded my character, personality, and values, which have followed me to manhood as a husband, parent (and now grandparent), teacher, and coach.

I was very fortunate throughout my formative years. Yes, I had the luxury of knowing and learning first-hand from all my heroes right in my own backyard home!

My advice to contemporary adolescents is watch less TV, spend less time on the computer, and begin listening more carefully to those who care about you and your future the most. Then, and only then, will you understand the “right stuff” that make up the essence of true heroes and heroines.

In reality, if you listen to what I say, you will learn that your “Heroes in Life” are really much, much closer than you could ever have imagined.

… on True Friendship

As I look back on my life, I think of my family members when I think of true friendship. After that, the list can be numbered in the single digits and for me, the majority of these few friendships were found in the realm of the wrestling community.

What we often find in our lives is that the amount of friends we have is like the following analogy: “Lots of dollars are to lots of friends as few dollars are to few friends.” Count your friends when your broke or down on your luck.

There are friends we thought we had (and really didn’t), and those we never knew we had. One such friend of mine was Mark J. Gerrity, a high school underclassman on the wrestling team. Allow me to share our fellowship with you.

Mark Gerrity was a sophomore on our wrestling squad when I was a senior. What he remembered the most about upperclassman Billy Welker was that I would spend time talking to him, as well as other younger wrestlers on the team during practices. Something he felt other senior team-members were above doing.

Ironically, I don’t remember being nice Mark J. Gerrity, or anybody during my junior and senior years on the high school wrestling team. As a matter of fact, I can only recollect being very “moody” from watching my weight, and generally very “miserable” due to the grueling practices our esteemed coaches put us through during each-and-every practice. Go figure.

I never knew any of this until Mark and I reconnected in the mid ’90s. Since then, I have counted Mark J. Gerrity as one of my closest friends, and biggest supporters.

Let me tell you about this courageous individual. Mark J. Gerrity was a combat veteran of two Vietnam tours of duty. (He actually signed up for a second tour.) USMC Sgt. Gerrity’s bravery on the field of battle was nonpareil; he was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with a Silver Star and Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V the third highest honor given by the Navy. Sad to say, he finally succumbed to “agent orange” in February of 2000.

That same year he was inducted into the Pennsylvania District Four Wrestling Hall of Fame posthumously. I will never forget his friendship. His valor in life shames me.

The bottom line: you never know who your true friends really are in life. But always keep in mind friendship is a rare commodity; so cherish it!