A man who deserves to be called a hero (From The Northern Echo)

A man who deserves to be called a hero

7:35pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Peter Barron By Peter Barron

THE word 'hero' is used far too casually in the modern media.

It is applied with slapdash regularity to sportsmen and celebrities with the consequence that its value is undermined.

However, I make no apology for describing Mike Anderson as a hero in tomorrow's edition of The Northern Echo.

Flight Lieutenant Anderson is the subject of our front page picture because he has today received a bravery award from Prince Charles.

The helicopter pilot, from Belmont, near Durham City, risked his own life to rescue five wounded Afghan children during a Taliban attack.

The true horror of the conflict in Afghanistan is underlined by the fact that the children had been deliberately wounded to lure Allied forces into an ambush.

But Flt Lt Anderson braved fierce machine gun and mortar fire to evacuate the youngsters in his Chinook helicopter.

That is real heroism - and that is why the presentation of the Distinguished Flying Cross at Buckingham Palace is so richly deserved.

P.S. While writing this blog, I have shouted across to the sports desk to ensure that there are no 'hero' headlines on the sports pages tomorrow.