Bad role models are not the only downside of a media culture that is obsessed with actors, musicians and other celebrities. Our celebrity driven media also implicitly denies the fact that ordinary men and women – who serve and sacrifice for the sake of others – are the real source of our nation’s greatness.

Most of us have never been helped by a celebrity actor who played a hero in a movie. But most of us would not be who we are today apart from a few ordinary people who made important sacrifices on our behalf. In my own life, this was most true of my mother who struggled to raise me on a welfare income after a serious violent assault left her disabled and unable to work. So I thought it would be fitting for Great Americans to begin the New Year by honoring some of the mothers who serve our nation in uniform.

Thankfully, there are great people in this country who are excellent role models, but don’t have the public spotlight. There are also some great role models out there who are in the spotlight. Former Florida quarterback, Tim Tebow comes to mind. I’m not a Florida fan, but I root for the team (when they aren’t playing Texas or FSU) because of his great example. Then there are people like First Lieutenant Sandra Beauclair.

Although the Pentagon Channel can be little stiff at times, they do a great job of capturing the heart of this mother in uniform. First Lieutenant Sandra Beauclair, missed the homecoming of her two soldier sons from combat due to her own deployment as a military nurse. Ordinary Americans who touch other lives for good, without ever being given fame, wealth or celebrity status improve life for us all. When you hear Sandra Beauclair talk about the “nine wonderful sons” that she has adopted in her unit you’ll hear the heart of a Great American speaking.

I’m glad there are places like Great Americans where people can go to learn about these people. It gives us hope for our future and lifts us up instead of tearing us down. . After watching the video, go over to Great Americans and check out some more.

“There was an explosion because of the punctured tyre. A lot of people got around the vehicles because it was right inside the bazaar. But then the Americans threw a hand grenade,” Mawli Ezatullah, head of Kunar’s provincial council told the BBC.

The head of the Kunar provincial council is spreading lies about Americans and inflaming attitudes against the people trying to bring peace and freedom to the country. Friction is growing between the Afghan and US governments these reports grow. However, in most cases American troops had NOTHING to do with the civilian deaths and are only attributed to them by the insurgents themselves.

Well, finally, a video was released from Afghanistan that shows that the attack was a coordinated one by Afghan insurgents and that the Russian-made grenade was NOT thrown by US troops. Try denying this one: