Throughout history, there have been unsung heroes in various chapters of the human struggle for justice, and many paid with their lives without any recognition for helping to pave the way for others who were either locked in slavery or simply denied basic human rights by those who feared loss of control and power. Even with men having walked on the moon, and advances in science that have contributed to significant medical progress, the world is still unable to achieve proper justice for all who choose to live a life of respect for others, despite religious or political differences.

Usually when soldiers take to the battlefield, many are awarded medals for acts of bravery under fire, and often this happens no matter which flag they represent in a particular conflict. In almost every type of confrontation, there are also unsung heroes without uniforms who are willing to do whatever is possible to promote a better world, even at the cost of making the supreme sacrifice.

Few people in the modern world are unaware of the terrorist group Isis, which continues to cause grave concern for those who choose peace over tyranny, and world powers are determined not to let the shadow of terrorism cover the Earth.

Unlike traditional wars, where soldiers on either side could be identified by military attire, terrorists prefer to operate with no form of ID, making it extremely difficult to spot potential danger. In fact, on many occasions recently, someone with no visible signs of danger have mingled with innocent bystanders and would set off a device under their clothing without warning, causing heavy loss of life. The almost invisible enemy is a threat not only to people in the troubled Middle East, but to every freedom-loving person on Earth. Although the United States, Britain, France and other nations are involved in military efforts to crush terrorists who are known to show no mercy to any form of opposition, there are many unsung heroes in the middle of this nightmare who want the world to know the real picture of suffering under such a regime. Many of these people will probably never receive international recognition for making use of modern technology to get the word out. For example, one man with a young wife and daughter living near the border between Turkey and Syria, and deeply committed to exposing life under the Isis regime, knew his life was in danger, but also knew that without sending information about what was happening, many acts of horror carried out by the terrorists would slip unnoticed into the shadows of history. Some of those acts included public executions for opponents of their ideology. The young man knew he was being targeted and informed his wife that anything could happen. Sadly, he was shot dead in a manner that left no doubt to his friends and supporters who was responsible.

His wife was so distraught and shattered that at last report, she was unable to tell her daughter that her father would never return home. Despite this brutal tragedy, others who truly believe in a better life have pledged to tell their stories, no matter the price. It is a reminder that heroes are not necessarily those big names in the headlines every day.

Unsung heroes can be found in all areas of the human struggle for justice. The schoolteacher who is prepared to spend money out his or her pocket to assist a child in need, the doctor who travels to assist people without proper medical facilities in distant lands, those who give of their time to help people during troubling times of life. There is no end to the list of unsung heroes, even here in Bermuda. The remarkable thing about these heroes is that they come from every sector of community life.

It mattered little whether someone had three or four degrees, or just a few years of schooling. What was important was the willingness to help others without question. The world today is in great need of heroes such as that gentleman, who was willing to put his life on the line in the hope that the rest of the world would spare no effort in creating freedom, not just for a select few, but for every human.

Martin Luther King Jr made it clear that no special credentials were required to serve others for good. In other words, an unsung hero is someone who acts according to specific needs, whether the act is rewarded or not. We should all be very proud that no matter how many negative things take place in a troubled world, unsung heroes are always willing to make a stand for decency and freedom.