Tuesday was an exciting day for Democrats, as the first victories were registered in the beginning of the presidential campaign that will smash the Republican stranglehold on our nation. Ohio, Michigan, even Mississippi Dems had plenty cheer about. Hell, we all did. Tuesday was a GREAT day.
But you know those stories.
Yet I can't help but be struck by this tiny, but perhaps equally significant victory in a school district in Arizona. More below the filigree.
If you haven't heard the story of Daniel Hernandez, the most modest hero in civilian life I have ever seen, then you must have ignored or missed the coverage of the tragic massacre last January in Tucson that attended an informational meeting hosted by Democrat U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
Arguably, Ms. Giffords' life was saved by her hitherto-anonymous aide, Daniel Hernandez, who protected the congresswoman and attended to her life-threatening wounds before help arrived.
Mr. Hernandez's actions were accomplished in the midst of a deadly maelstrom of violence perpetrated by a deranged gunman. Rep. Gifford's protector could easily have fled the scene and saved himself. Instead, he shielded the wounded woman and gave her the edge she needed not only to survive, but ultimately to return to duty as the people's representative.
In the wake of his heroism, Mr. Hernandez rejected all attempts to label him as a hero, and accepted only with reluctance the accolades that were due him for his selfless actions.
But today, he is more than a hero. Mr. Hernandez is the newest member of the Sunnyside Unified School District governing board, which covers southern Tucson and adjacent areas in Pima County.
Mr. Hernandez won 61.8 percent of the vote on Tuesday. He took the step of running for public office because, he said, he wants to make public service his life.
This great AMERICAN is only 21 years old.
Kossacks, there is HOPE for the future.
I can only hope that there will be many more victories in Mr. Hernandez's future.