Tammy Duckworth: Let's Have More Heroes Like Her

By Carol Forsloff

We need real heroes these days, not made up ones. We need heroes who keep their hero status not just in the trenches of days gone by but as a life pattern. We need heroes who are women as well as men so our children have models of both sexes doing jobs that aren't stereotyped as male-female. I have never met Tammy Duckworth nor do I live in Illinois where she is presently running for her Congress, but I admire her and therefore am compelled by that admiration to write this article. That's because Duckworth is the kind of model for women in politics that we need, and in fact a model for every politician today.

The title of hero has been earned by Duckworth many times. After graduating from college and looking forward to eventually receiving a Ph.D., Duckworth decided to join the military and serve her country that way. As an officer she was sent to Iraq where she was a helicopter pilot. On one of her missions in 2004 a grenade propelled by an enemy rocket hit the helicopter where she was the co-pilot. Duckworth lost both her legs in the resulting explosion. She also lost much of the use of one of her arms. For this heroism Duckwroth received both the Purple Heart and Air Medals among a number of decorations.

Following a long period of rehabilitation, Duckworth left the military service but not her dedication to her comrades, other veterans. She started a career in public service, first as an advocate for other veterans and now as the Director of Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. In her post as Veterans Affairs Director Duckworth helped design and expand unique programs to serve veterans in mental health, employment, housing and health care.

Still that isn't all there is to Tammy, although the reader can discern that what I've written already shows someone of high integrity and ability. Still Tammy is more than the sum of all this. She serves as a model for others in other ways. She speaks fluent Thai as well as Indonesian and has researched and published articles about environmental issues. In spite of the fact that Duckworth qualifies for total disability under VA guidelines, she has refused medical retirement in order to develop her life to working in public service. She has also become quite an athlete, runs marathons, does scuba diving, swims regularly and keeps a good sense of humor and upbeat attitude in the face of phantom pain, which she continues to experience, and disabilities. Rather than despairing about her condition she has embraced life and her future.

Duckworth considers the war in Iraq, and in that sense has the same concerns as Barack Obama. She has testified about veterans and the war before Congress and also spoke at the Democratic Convention about her concerns on the issues.

Today Duckworth is running for Congress opposing heavily Republican-financed Peter Roskam, a conservative Republican. Max Clelland, a double amputee of the Vietnam War, was defeated by Republicans in the State of Georgia who associated him with terrorism. The nation and the State of Illinois now has an opportunity to redeem that terrible deed by electing Tammy Duckworth as testimony to the change in how we treat those who take the responsibility to defend this country, even if they disagree with some of its missions.

These days when the patriotism of good people is challenged, it's important to have people who rise above the petty issues and declare themselves loving human beings who embrace life itself, not just the concerns of a single country. Tammy Duckworth is evidence that an individual can meet awful challenges and be victorious. That's the kind of hero we need these days, and let's continue to honor these people among us and let no one ever question their dedication to duty.

Duckworth is the kind of young woman we should all want in politics and for our young people. She can't stand up and smile on two strong legs into the camera like Sarah Palin, but she speaks in loving tones with an open heart about new beginnings and looks to a second chance today and tomorrow. That's a good message for all of us who worry about our finances, our futures, our physical problems and our needs. Duckworth is truly a model for all of us, men, women, politicians, citizens and the children today and in the future.