Here are my picks for the next ten great American heroes
for the National Garden, men and women who serve as a reminder that all are
called to greatness though few achieve it.
Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk (1863-1950),
Medicine Man, Lay Catechist
Black Elk lived one of the most
dynamic American lives that reached all the way from the Civil War to the Old
West, the Gilded Age, the Depression, and finally the post-War era. He was a
medicine man for the Lakota Indian tribe, a cousin to Crazy Horse, and fought
against Custard in the Battle of Little Big Horn. At the turn of the century,
he converted to Catholicism, became a prominent lay catechist among Native
Americans, and late in life gave many interviews to anthropologists.
John Carroll (1735-1815), Catholic Archbishop
A
prominent member of Maryland’s most famous Revolutionary era Catholic family,
Carroll was appointed the first bishop in the United States. He played an
invaluable role to the budding American Church and private education.
Johnny Cash (1932-2003), Musician
Cash
was a giant in the world of country and folk music but reached people of all
musical tastes. He was famous as “the man in black” for his dress and
rebellious mannerisms.
John Hancock (1937-1793), Founding Father, 2nd
President of the Continental Congress
Hancock
was one of the wealthiest men in the colonies who put everything on the line
for the revolution. He presided over the Continental Congress when they
formally succeeded from Great Brition and was the first (and most prominent)
signer of the Declaration of Independence. He later was the 1st
Governor of Massachusetts and promoted the Constitution shortly before his
death.
Edwin Hubble (1889-1953), Astronomer
Hubble
was the first to suggest that nebula were distant galaxies and made many other
advances in astronomy. Restricted by the technology of his time, he desperately
wanted to put a telescope into space which was eventually realized and named
for him decades after his death.
Casey Kasem (1932-2014), Radio Host
Kasem
was a man of many hats in the entertainment industry but was most famous of for
the Billboard Top 40 which could make or break any music artist. He was also
the original voice of Shaggy in Scooby-Doo.
Bruce Lee (1940-1973), Martial Artist
Lee
is easily the greatest American martial artist, a man who devoted every second
of his life to master his craft. Unfortunately, he died at only 33 after only a
few but legendary films.
Vince Lombardi (1913-1970), Football Coach
Lombardi
was the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, including when
they won the first two Super Bowls. He provided a model of great coaching, not
just in football but all sports.
Bl. Michael J. McGiveney (1852-1890), Founder of the
Knights of Columbus
McGiveney,
born to Irish immigrants, witnessed the intense discrimination of Catholic in
the late 19th century. This drove him to create a Catholic fraternal
organization that could provide life insurance and fellowship similar to the
Protestant Elks or American Legion. Today, the Knights of Columbus is one of
the largest insurance programs in the world and provides 50 million service
hours across the globe every year.
Shirley Temple (1928-2014), Actress
Temple
was the quintessential child star, acting in thirty films by her 7th
birthday and becoming one of the most famous performers of the 1930s. Later in
life, she became a diplomat and had an awesome soft drink named for her.
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