_{Photo by Erik Mclean}

Barbara Jane Hannon’s Letters from World War II features the stories of the heroes of the 8th Air Force in WWII, individuals who were paragons of embodying courage and valor during one of history’s darkest periods. But what does that really mean? What does it mean to have valor and courage?

Defining Heroism in Wartime

As it has been said countless times throughout history, it is in the extreme theatre of war that depravity and nobility come to their logical conclusions. Amidst the carnage, the fear, and the chaos, people arise to meet the moment.

Traditionally, heroism in war has often been associated with physical bravery and martial prowess. When we imagine heroes, we often conjure up images of muscular men charging into enemy lines, whether it be in reckless abandon or desperate assault. These acts of heroism–for they are certainly heroic–are characterized for their overt displays of valor and the lengths that individuals often take in service of a greater cause.

However, wartime heroism extends far beyond the battlefield.

_{Photo by RDNE Stock project}

Embodying Courage and Valor

Heroism is not defined only by bombastic displays of sacrifice and strength. Not everyone has to charge recklessly onto the battlefield to be a hero during wartime.

Sustaining life and preserving humanity in the face of unimaginable adversity are also acts of courage. Thus, the civilians who shelter refugees, the doctors who tirelessly treat the wounded, and the journalists who risk their lives to expose the truth are no lesser than the soldier or the general. Each and every one of us has the capacity for courage and valor.

Preserving Hope

In the face of overwhelming odds, insisting upon the belief of a better future is an act of defiance.

This manifests in many number of ways such as a quiet determination to protect loved ones, a steadfast commitment to preserving cultural heritage, or a persistent belief in the eventual restoration of peace.

Whatever is done to pass on hope and to maintain it during struggle is an act of courage and valor.

Exercising Morality

Deliberately choosing to stand for one’s principles, even when faced with immense pressure to buckle down and yield, requires a measure of profundity. There is great strength that comes with putting your foot down and telling the world around you that they are at fault.

This could mean refusing to participate in atrocities when it is commanded of you, speaking out against injustice despite the blindness of the world, or providing aid to those in need (regardless of background). It goes against common trends.

To be moral is not simply having good thoughts, it is having the courage and the valor to act upon them.

Fostering Solidarity

Wartime isolates individuals and separates communities, which may foster fear and mistrust. As such, the willingness to build bridges and offer support (material or otherwise)is a powerful counterforce to the forces of division.

This involves sharing resources, providing shelter, or simply offering a listening ear.

When the world wants to grind down communities, but you find the will to trust and love even stronger–that requires immense courage and valor.

Courage and Valor in the Everyday

Finally, courage and valor can be found in everyday life. Simply surviving, maintaining routines, and providing care for others can be acts of profound bravery. Not everyone can do everything, but everyone has a part to play. Simply playing this part can be a great act of courage and valor. It’s the willingness to face each day, to shoulder the burdens of loss and uncertainty, and to continue to find meaning and purpose in the face of overwhelming challenges.

True valor during wartime can’t only be found within the bounds of one’s physical prowess, but it is about the enduring strength of the human spirit and manifesting it in every act of living. When one is possessed of the unwavering commitment to morality, and the profound capacity for empathy and connection, then is there great courage and valor.

_{Photo by Craig Adderley}

The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.

– Douglas MacArthur

Letters from World War II can be bought on this website. Click this link to order a copy now.