Voices of America: Who's your American hero, and why?

The thing that is most responsible for shaping America is, well, Americans. That is why in our celebration of the country’s 250th birthday, we decided to talk to those who make America what it is: its citizens. The biggest takeaway? We're not all the same. But that’s just one of the things that makes us great. 

In this series, we asked dozens of Americans nine questions to gather their thoughts on America yesterday, today and tomorrow. Here is what they had to say.

Who's your American hero, and why?

His name is George Clinton. Why is he my American hero? Because he’s the Godfather of funk. Yeah man, I’m into that music. George Clinton, they know who he is. Mr. parliament funkadelic. That guy was awesome.

— Greg Avery, Parrish resident 

Franklin D. Roosevelt is one of the best presidents we’ve ever had. He was a transformative leader. He changed America so much and was a force of nature. He defined the presidency.

— Gary King, Lido Key resident of 45 years

My American hero is Jackie Robinson, who broke the sports color barrier and did not fight back at all. He did it his way for all of those who followed him.

— Jeffrey Goldman, Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library board member

George Washington, just because the amount of courage that it takes to revolt against an oppressor is extremely powerful. That’s why America gets messy, because they fought for something actually really, really righteous. We've taken it and just used it, and that way everything the government does is in the name of the Founding Fathers. I don't think they would approve of anything that's going on now. They were actually fighting against what we're doing now.

— Andrew DeVito, filmmaker and writer 

I would say my son, who is in the U.S. Navy. He just signed up for six more years. He’s my hero.

— Tina Cosme, St. Armands Circle retailer

The person whose example has stayed with me most closely was my grandfather, William R. Baker (October 29, 1885 – Dec. 12, 1973). He was a roving school teacher serving remote agricultural communities in South Alabama and later became the driving force behind building a school, a church and a small township through volunteer effort. He was a man of faith, admired by everyone who knew him, and deeply devoted to his country and community. As a young man, he interviewed veterans of the Civil War and developed a lifelong admiration for those who served. He inspired me by the way he treated people, served others, and quietly demonstrated what it meant to be a good American.

— Mike Atkinson, Vietnam War helicopter pilot and Sarasota resident

My favorite American is Ben Franklin, but my two heroes are my buddies from high school that went into the military and did so many tours. I’m awestruck talking to them.

— Don Gesualdi, Lakewood Ranch retired firefighter

Even though he passed before I was born, my grandfather. He was a West Point graduate and one-star general in the Army. A chief engineer, he built the infrastructure for numerous military bases around the world, including in Pearl Harbor (also where my father was born during World War II). He was there during the initial kamikaze attacks on the island.  I couldn’t be more proud to be his grandson.

— Chip White, Sarasota resident and bar and restaurant owner

My American heroes are the men and women who serve or have served in the armed forces, along with our first responders. They’re the ones who step into danger when the rest of us are stepping back. The sacrifices they — and their families — make for our safety and peace of mind mean a lot to me, and I’ll always see them as heroes.

— Jim Emanuelson, president of Lakewood Ranch CERT

One of my heroes is Clint Eastwood, but my real American hero is George Washington. He depicts all of the leaders after his reign of what it is like to be an American and what you have to do to defend this country. He was a primary example.

— Steven Merriman, Lakewood Ranch retired police officer and fireman

Jerry Garcia, for spreading love.

— Rob Hollway, The Out-of-Door Academy football coach 

Gary Woodland. He is a professional golfer who has made a remarkable comeback from brain surgery and manages PTSD daily. He is a respectful individual and a major supporter of veterans and Folds of Honor. He represents the best of our country.

— Bill Schey, Marine Corps veteran and a board member for the Folds of Honor Southwest Florida and Chicago chapters

This might sound strange, but I’m my own hero. I’m here every day trying to be the best self I can, no matter what’s going on around me.

— Christopher Hunt, artist 

John Wayne. I love everything about him. 

He was a good actor, a good dad — just everything. And then my next one would be Lucille Ball. I love her.

— Noel Harmon,  Lakewood Ranch retailer