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Dunklin County Residents

Answer “Who’s your Hero?”

TRINA BELL
tbell@dddnews.com

When you think about what defines a Hero, who do you think of? Is it a family member? Is it a special school teach-
er? Or could it be a family of military Veterans who you admire for their service?
Various individuals throughout the county spoke out about what they feel defines a hero and who they feel qualifies
to be called a hero.

Tammi Driskill Graue said her father was a hero. “He wasn’t perfect but he always did what was right, even when
no one was looking or it wasn’t beneficial to him,” she said. “My dad helped people. Some he knew, some he didn’t.
But he did it without wanting anything in return.”
Graue went on to say, “My father did what he did without wanting any type of praise or pat on the back.”
Graue said her father didn’t boast about it like so many do on social media these days. “People talk about paying it
forward in a fast food line, but my Dad was doing that years and years before “paying it forward” was even a phrase,”
she said. “He helped people that would have never returned the favor when he was in need, but he did it anyway and
not just monetary help. “Sometimes it was just his words. “He helped so many people and I know there are so many
that I don’t know about and never will. That’s my hero,” she added.

Chad Ross spoke out about someone who isn’t any relation to him. “I would consider Todd Fouts a hero,” he said.
“I’ve never seen a more considerate man before,” he added. Ross said whether it be animals or humans, Fouts is good
to all. “Todd helped me get past my dumb stuff as a young man and got me back to where I needed to be,” he said. For
that, Todd is a hero to me,” he added.
Marla Mitchell said the local animal control officers are heroes to her. “Tena Cruciani Petix and Kayla Gozell are he-
roes to me,” she said. “They go out of their way to rescue as many animals as they can, and they aren’t limited to just
dogs. “They’re great women and I think they need to be recognized they’re my heroes,” she added.
Willie Moore described what a hero is to him. “I think a hero is someone who is willing to give the ultimate sacrifice
when needed,” he said.

Laura Harmon also recognized her late father as being a hero in her eyes. “My daddy is my hero,” she said. “When my
dad passed, my mom had boys and girls alike to call and tell her how my dad had impacted their life,” she said. “The
funeral displayed what he meant to so many, as there was standing room only,” she added. Harmon said her father
coached, played, umpired, and even showed support from the stands for local sporting events. “He did anything he
possibly could to encourage, coach, teach or give constructive criticism when it was needed,” said Harmon. He loved
my momma and doted on us girls. But we weren’t the only kids he had; biologically yes, but he had a hand in so many
more lives,” added Harmon.
In addition to her father, Harmon spoke about a few teachers who she also saw as heroes. “B.J. Larsen was always
the definition of a Hero to me,” Harmon said. “And of course, Mary Jean Moore and Sarah Hitt are heroes in many
people’s eyes,” she added.

David Cross spoke out about his Grandfather. “Bill Smith was my Hero,” he said. “Even though he was my step
grandpa, he was my grandpa,” he added. Cross said his grandpa grew up as a farm boy and joined the Army During
the Korean War. “He was in the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper and he received several Gold and Silver stars for his
heroic actions during the war,” he said. “After the war, he moved to Flint Michigan, where he worked and retired from
Buick,” he added. Cross said his grandfather loved to fish and work in his garden. “My grandpa never talked about
the war I didn’t find out about all the medals he won until after his death,” he said. “He taught me great things about
life and I will always be honored to call him my Hero. He may not have worn a cape, jump over tall buildings and he
couldn’t stop a train with his bare hands. But he could give me hugs when I needed them and he was always there
when I needed him,” he added.

This is proof that heroes come in all shapes, sizes and races. One thing is for certain, heroes do exist and are around
us. Honor your hero and let them know what they mean to you and how much you appreciate them.

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