Heroes shouldn't go unnoticed

What is a hero? The Merriam-Webster dictionary says it's somebody who is "admired for his achievements and noble qualities ... one that shows great courage."

Most people would likely agree with that definition when talking about somebody else. But what about when describing their own actions or accomplishments? When, if ever, does somebody consider themselves to be a hero?

During the Second World War, Miep Gies was among a group of people in Amsterdam who helped Anne Frank and seven others hide from the Nazis in a secret annex.

Ms. Gies provided the hiders with such things as food, clothing, newspapers and the like, knowing full well that she herself could be arrested if the hiders were discovered.

When Anne and the other hiders were indeed discovered and taken to concentration camps, it was Ms. Gies who stored Anne Frank's diaries in a safe place. She later gave them to Otto Frank, Anne's father and the sole annex occupant to survive the concentration camps, who published the diaries in 1947.

In addition to those in the annex, Ms. Gies and her husband, Jan, also hid a young man in their home who was wanted by the Nazis.

Ms. Gies died last week, a month shy of her 101st birthday, after a short illness. While she was often praised for her actions during the Second World War, she denied being a hero.

"More than twenty thousand Dutch people helped to hide Jews and others in need of hiding during those years. I willingly did what I could to help. My husband did as well. It was not enough," wrote Ms. Gies in the prologue to Anne Frank Remembered, a book published in 1987.

"There is nothing special about me. I have never wanted special attention. I was only willing to do what was asked of me and what seemed necessary at the time."

While her humility was apparent, Ms. Gies' actions (and those of her husband and others) throughout the Second World War can be considered nothing less than heroic. And we certainly owe them our appreciation, by at least remembering what they did and learning something from their actions.

That said, how often do we thank people in our own lives who have done some sort of good deed or gesture? Those that have affected our lives in a positive way? Lent a hand, even if we didn't ask for help? Our heroes need not be superstars or have outstanding intellects, simply those who have helped us on our way. And they merit thanks, too - make it a point to say so to yours.