Introduction
What does it mean to have courage? Is it courageous to save someone’s life? Is it courageous to stand up for yourself? You can look up the word courage in the dictionary, but can courage truly be concisely defined? Writers and other artists have sought to express the concept of courage, while each of us as individuals has probably witnessed and shown courage in many ways.

In this exercise, you will read about different acts of courage. Then you will write about an act of courage that you actually witnessed or performed yourself. Describe the situation and explain why it was a heroic action.

Destination Titles
Congressional Medal of Honor
http://www.cmohs.org/

American Red Cross - Everyday Heroes Archive
http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/newspro/heroarchive.html

Directions
Start with the Congressional Medal of Honor Website and click on LEARN MORE under the title “The Medal of Honor.” Then click on the features that provide background about this historic medal. Next, go to “American Red Cross Heroes” and read about the list of individuals who received recognition for their act of courage.

1.	Once you have finished reading these selections, write about an act of courage that you actually witnessed or performed yourself. Describe the situation and explain it was a heroic action.