Ponderings on what makes a hero?

Ben Stein's final column does say it all.

I've eaten in some famous Hollywood restaurants a time or two and seen a few celebrities there, too.

Stein recently concluded his column career by making a profound point to his readers — those who follow him in his "Monday Night at Morton's" biweekly column.

While I never dined at any of the Morton chain restaurants while visiting movie town, I'm sure the rich and famous frequent the place, stars of the silver screen, the sports athletes — basically all those who live in luxury and receive paychecks in the quadruple digits.

Notice I didn't say earned. There is talent and there is talent, just as there are breaks and opportunities that boost some over others as they rise to higher realms of celebrity status.

And, just like the better-known columnist, I used to put a lot more stock in certain celebrities. I've been entertained by bad and good movies and ball games through the years, too. Most of these entertainers live in insane luxury, far removed from any kind of middle-ground.

While many are interesting people with varying backgrounds, some got an early break in childhood and hit it big in Hollywood or on the playing fields. We still see these wealthy individuals on billboards, the silver screen and television on a regular basis, although they come and go and, like everyone else does in the end, they too die. Did I say like everyone else? No, that's not right. The real heroes lie down and die, sacrificing their lives for duty and honor.

Also, like Ben Stein, I too am no longer impressed with a system that has such poor values these days. And as Mr. Stein said, it's high time to stop perpetuating those values by pretending that those who are eating at Hollywood restaurants like Morton's, are big topics to elaborate on.

I love Stein's quote, "There are other stars in the American firmament."

He was referring to the men and women who serve their country in the military, public service and education.

Think about the firefighter running up the stairs of the World Trade Center as the towers began to collapse, Stein noted. That person is his idea of a real hero.

I have to agree.

Life lived to help others is what matters in the end, according to Stein. It's the highest and best use of a life as a human. We might never be as good as the greats in all the categories of life, but we can be devoted in a meaningful perspective of life.

Being a good mother, father, husband, wife or child is a worthwhile challenge that should not be taken lightly.

I guess it's time to think about what really does matter — what kind of legacy can be left behind.

Then I thought about all the people who have touched my life.

First of all, there were my parents, who unselfishly gave of themselves to ensure the right values were instilled in my sisters and me. Then, there were the teachers who went over and above the job helping me through some tough academic challenges.

My favorite cousin gave his life serving his country. His all-out effort saved a friendly Vietnamese village in Vietnam's jungle. He could have dropped his load of bombs and saved himself, but he chose to fly low to eliminate a convoy of enemy military weaponry that ultimately shot him down.

Davy will never be on the cover of any magazine like so many Hollywood couples are seen these days. Our mainstream society has its eyes on ideals that are here today and gone tomorrow and on people who need to go look in the mirror and get a grip.

In the big scheme of things, it's been such a showoff, glutinous, ambitious lifestyle stealing the American stage for too long. Perhaps, if we could learn something from some hard times for a while, it could be a good thing for us all in the long run. Perhaps it's been to easy a road long enough. My guess is that the tough better get tougher and the weak and spoiled better get off the sofa.