All American Heroes
Real American Stories
about Everyday People
Who Make a Difference
All American heroes - these are the everyday people who touch lives or help those around them. They might be fire fighters - police officers - Doctors. They might be plumbers, construction workers or moms. They are...
...real American hero stories.
Do you know any real, all American, everyday heroes? They
probably aren't famous, but deserve to be! Share your story here, and
let others know about your hero.
My All American Hero
I'll start with mine...
My brother, Stan Hutchins, recently passed away. He was only 57 years old. He left a son, my wonderful nephew, and a multitude of grieving friends and family.
Stan was a construction worker and a part time photographer. He loved nothing more than driving out into the country around our little hometown in Southwest Kansas to take photos of the beautiful plains. He took so many beautiful photographs of the bison north of town, and of Monument Rocks - a beautiful natural wonder in Gove County, KS.
He also loved taking pictures of Lake
Scott State Park (the photos on that page were also taken by
him), as well as at The
Battle of Punished Womans Fork
- the site of the last Indian battle in Kansas.
When Stan passed away, his facebook page was flooded with memories, thoughts and condolences for his son and our family. We were amazed by all of the cards, flowers and food from friends of his - many that we had no idea how close they had been with our brother, father and son.
He touched so many hearts... he was always there for an aunt, clearing branches after a storm, sending pictures of family for her enjoyment, and just being an all around great nephew. She told us that she considered him one of "her boys".
He was there for friends, rather they needed a ride from the airport in Denver to Scott City (a 4-5 hour drive), or they just needed to talk. He called people on their birthdays - he called his ex-wife on their anniversary each year (by coincidence, the day he died).
He knew what his friends and family liked, and would regularly send information or photos of something that they would find interesting. He loved playing with photoshop, and put his great nephew's picture inside of a train photo, making it look as though Logan was driving the train...
...just because his nephew loved trains.
He'd send me photos and e-mails about cats, because I love
cats. He didn't like cats particularly, but I had two that he really
thought were cool. He liked cats that had strong or unique
personalities, and I definitely have one of those now!
Sunsets, windmills and storms were three other things he loved to take
pictures of. He'd stand out in a storm for ages trying to get a perfect
lightening shot. Some of his sunset and windmill pictures are just
spectacular!
I say that Stan is one of my all American heroes because of how many
people he touched in his life. He was a somewhat gruff looking guy -
nearly always in jeans, one of his photo t-shirts and a ball cap. He
was strong willed and had strong, conservative, small town values.
But he was a gentle soul... one who was a real friend - nothing fake about him or his friendship. If you were a friend of Stan's, you were a friend for life... unless you lied to him, or cheated him in some way.
If I can be half of the friend that Stan was to so many, I will have done well in my life. The way he treated his friends has given me something to strive for. He made so many people happy with his caring ways.
Stan Hutchins will be missed by a lot of people. But I imagine him in heaven with a camera, shooting the most spectacular photographs ever! I can't wait to see them!
Stan Hutchins - My All American Hero!
I love you Stan...
and I miss you!
To read some more real American hero stories, visit the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
America witnessed the making of many everyday heroes on September 11, 2001. If your story involves one of those 911 heroes, please share your story on our "Remembering 911" page.
Do you know an everyday American hero?
Real American Heroes are everywhere. Do you know one? Please share their story with us!
What Other Visitors Have Said
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We miss you, Stan! Still my all American, every day hero!
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It's been a year since my brother left us. I wrote about him on this page last year, and I'm remembering him here again today. Stan, you are so dearly ...
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