Eduard Bertalan

Each of us has a hero in life. This can be a favorite artist, a poet, a friend or a family member. My hero is my brother, Bertalan Eduard. He was born in Dej, Romania, and he is 11 years older than me. He graduated from the same high school I learn at, and later he left for the USA and joined the Navy. Each of us was surprised by his choice, but we respect his decision. Now, at 29 years old, he is in the 10th year at the USA Navy.

Eddie before a mission (from him)

Now you ask me why Eddie (how I call him) is my hero since he was always so far from me. First, I think everybody knows what the U.S. Navy means. If you want to get in there, you need a lot of ambition, strength, physical condition and especially courage. He often tells me what he does at his trainings, that is really difficult, but not complaining ever... he relates his stories naturally, and even makes jokes about these. Since I was 10 years old I have heard the stories from him, and I have always been fascinated. Besides that, he has always had to learn for his exams. The exams were passed with honor because my brother says, “It seems a stupid thing to pay $250 for a book… better learn and get them for free." I totally agree, but I do not know how many people can do it.

He is in Iraq now. He was there 3 years ago, too. I think of him every day and I pray God to help him come home healthy and safe. It is a dangerous place and full of "mystery", you never know what you can go through in the next mission. For example he defuses bombs, this is his position in the team. It’s a job with 100% of risk because it is enough to make just one mistake. He likes his job, he likes to live intensely, to feel he is alive.

Several months ago he told me a case which impressed me very much. He found a bomb under the house of a family with a child. It was their only home, the whole effort of their life was invested in that house, and they were afraid to stay there, because the house could explode anytime and they could die. The bomb was under the house, it was not visible and it was too dangerous to be defused. My brother could have said that they couldn’t do anything, but he did not feel right to abandon their mission saying no. So, he put his hand under the house and he defused the bomb without seeing anything. I couldn’t believe that he risked his life for a poor family from a foreign country. I was very very proud of him.

All these things have made me stronger and I think twice before I complain for a thing. I say to myself: "Eddie is crawling in mud, is swimming in water of 5 degrees Celsius, is training day and night, is in the war with dangerous missions, and when he comes back at home he studies for the exams and takes good marks... and I complain because I got too much homework for any subject or I can not do something?!?" It seems like I didn’t have any respect for him if I cry or fail when I have to do what I have planned to do.

Since He has shared his experiences with me, I haven’t complained for anything, I appreciate my health more and I am trying to do everything I can. I'm very proud of my brother and I love him very much. He helps me to be strong, brave and ambitious. That's my hero!