Role models close to home Published Aug. 16, 2007 from The Spokesman Review SPOKANE, Wash. -- How appropriate to come home this past weekend to the headline "Homegrown heroes" at the top of the Opinion page of The Spokesman- Review (July 29). We just spent a week with such people at the Air Mobility Command's RODEO competition of the United States Air Force. Our homegrown heroes of Fairchild Air Force Base took home the trophy for Security Forces Best Combat Tactics Team among competitors from around the world, along with experiences that will make them all better mobility warriors for America. What we saw this past week were ordinary people doing extraordinary things without glancing back for cameras or recognition. How rare and remarkable selfless acts have become! We used to think the 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, Col. Tom Sharpy, used the word "awesome" a little too frequently when referring to his Airmen. Now, we know he doesn't use the word enough. The people with whom we spent the past week define the term "great Americans," and by measure of character, discipline, dedication and spirit are, indeed, awesome. For competing among the best-of-the-best and coming home with pride and a trophy, we say "congratulations." For the privilege of cheering you on and sharing in your success, we say "thank you." You are our homegrown heroes! Tom McArthur, Shawn Mayo and Byron Edgett This article originally ran July 29 in the Spokesman Review as a Letter to the Editor. The article is reprinted with permission from the authors.