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LIFESAVER HERO:
JAMES JOHN CHRISTENSON JR.
by Chris from Dakota Valley
What is a hero? A hero to me is someone that is always there for you through the rough and good times. Someone who would come and help you at a moment's notice. Someone that puts everyone ahead of himself and is not selfish. I'm very lucky to have someone like this in my life. He is a man that came in to my life when I was in sixth grade, and he has cared for me since. A man that has made me the man I am today. Everyday I am blessed to wake up and have this guy in my life. He has always been there for me and makes sure I make the right decisions in life. My hero is my dad, Jim. He has been on the North Sioux City Fire Dept. for almost twenty years. He saves others' lives on a day-to-day basis. He would lay down his life to save another and wouldn't think twice about it. Anyone that would do that is a hero in my book. If I told him that he is a hero, he would say, "I'm just doin' my job." Which yes, he is just doing his job, above and beyond what any normal person would do.
Jim took on a big job when he married my mom. He became a father of three kids. That's a tough job to do when the kids really don't want anyone around. The man I now call my dad has been a vital person in my success in school and athletics by driving me above and beyond what I thought I could ever achieve. He's always pushing me to the point where I don't even want to listen or even care about what he's saying. Looking back, I can see that all he was trying to do was help me gain success. Jim is the type of person that is kindhearted, loving, and the kind of man I want to be. Any man who can take three kids as his own and get them to love and care for him just as he does for them is a hero. I hope that one day I can be half the Dad that he is, but didn't have to be. Life Lessons:You may have thought I didn't see,Or that I hadn't heard, Life lessons that you taught to me, But I got every word.
Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be
I've grown up with your values,
By: Joanna Fuchs
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Written by
Chris from Dakota Valley
Photos courtesy of Amy Patterson |
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Fuchs, Joanna . "Life Lessons". |
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| Ampuh Puan Nandini is a hero to her daughter, Bella. | Andrea Suzanne Peterson is a hero to her little sister, Lindsey. | Anita Mummert makes a difference in the lives of children, as a foster parent. | Annie Glenn the wife of astronaut and senator John Glenn, is an inspiration for people with all kinds of disabilities. |
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| Argelia Rivas de Prom is a champion tennis player who inspires her granddaughter. | Aro Bindo Erawoc is a hero to his daughter, Amani. | Art Miki founded the National Association for Japanese Canadians to help redress Japanese rights lost during WWII. | Betty Rommetvedt Zagel is a caring mother and grandmother and continues to use her gifts to give to others |
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| Calista M. Pierce makes and sells crafts to raise money for the Special Olympics. | Catherine Malonza saved her brother's life. | Cathie Campbell is raising three daughters on her own and works with autistic children | Charles Cotton encourages his daughter to work at her dreams. |
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| Chi Nguyen was honored for helping street children in Vietnam. | Clint L. Hines inspires his granddaughter with his humility, compassion and faith. | Clyde Briley inspires his granddaughter to make a difference in the world. | Curtis Cornish is an Army medic who has devoted his life to helping others. |
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| Dad taught us about integrity, friendship, and putting in 100% of ourselves in anything we take on. | Dan & Amy Eldon are not only Kathy Eldon's children; they are also her heroes. | Danielle has saved her sister time and again. | David L. Kaplan is like a father to Becky Weitzman. |
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| David Lissak helped teens get back into school and will be missed by his family. | David T. Kauffman is a brave soldier whose stepson, Caleb, considers a true father. | Denise Buchner is a hero to her son, Oliver, because she helps people in Third World countries. | Derwin and Tori gave Ian, and other kids, a chance at a better life. |
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| Dick Hoyt is a dedicated Dad who breaks down barriers to his son's disability. | Doris Marie Swords Poppler inspired her granddaughter with her community activism. | Dwayne Johnson is a role model for his proud younger brother, Kevin. | Earl E. Dyer, Jr. is a brave hero to his daughter, Samya. |
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| Erika is a hero to her father, Eddie Becker. | Ernest Jones, Sr. is admired by his granddaughter for having ''birthed a generation of leaders.'' | Etshteyn Michael was a Russian opera singer and his granddaughter's hero. | Family and Friends A first grade class from New York tell us about their family heroes. |
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| FAMOUS FATHERS who created something great. | FAMOUS MOTHERS who created something great. | FATHER FIGURES can be a friend or teacher or even the neighborhood grocer. | Fathers are heroes too! |
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| Fred Fraundorfer is a hero to his grandson, Cory. | Gatha N. Hegwood was a hero to her grandchild, Rebekah | George Ritter von Trapp with courage and wit defended his family and country. | Gerda Weissmann Klein is a Holocaust survivor and a hero to her great-great niece. |
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| Grace I. Croft Montgomery Kelly inspired her granddaughter to return to college in her forties to earn her degree. | Graham Hartley Woolfall was an accomplished architect who is admired and loved by his great granddaughter. | Harry N. Frenchak is the greatest man his son has ever known. | Hj. I.Rochmah was a beloved single mother who raised 13 children. |
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| Hoang V. Vu never gives up; he knows there is always hope and teaches his daughter that 'Every little thing helps!' | Ivan Babak is a hardworking immigrant father from Ukraine who helped build a caring and sharing community. | James John Christenson Jr. is a life-saving firefighter and a kindhearted, loving, stepfather. | James Scott Bryar also known as Uncle Bub is hero to Tabor. |
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| Jason Carpenter is a hero to his sister because of his strength, attitude and bravery in recovering from open heart surgery. | Jeni Stepanek is an ambassador for Muscular Dystrophy who continues to spread her son Mattie's message of peace. | Jennifer Porter is a hero to her daughter, Stephanie, because of the way she humbly cares for her family and others. | Jill Pyle is a teacher, a community volunteer, and a hero to Sammy. |
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| Jillian inspires her sister, Rachel, with her courage and compassion. | Jim Coplin inspires his friend, Shauna, by the way he lives his life. | Joe Pinkerton is a hero to his daughter because he invents things that make the world a better place. | John Fowler is a beloved father with a true spirit for adventure. |
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| Joneice proved how strong a kid can be to her sister, Kia. | José Antonio Knight Hernández is tireless reporter and editor, a dedicated father, and a loving husband. | Joseph Marcel Shook Jr. is a compassionate community leader and a hero to his son, Joseph. | Karla Diane Hurrell and her husband have fostered over 150 children. |
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| Kathy Eldon inspired by her son, works for peace and tolerance. | Kathy Fettke is a hero to her daughter for her inspiring work. | Kelly Barnhill inspires her daughter with her commitment to help children with developmental disorders. | Kristie Porta is a friend and mentor to Nathaniel. |
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| Lady Bird Johnson inspired her great-granddaughter with her kindness and care for the environment. | Lewis E. Seeley was an inspiration to his great-nephew, for his bravery and sense of humor. | Linda Hart is her granddaughter Rachel's role model in life. | Lindsay Leigh Kimmett inspires her cousin to live life to the fullest and never stop growing. |
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| Linh Le provides for, protects, and loves his wife and his admiring son, Danny. | Lyndon B. Johnson was John's great grandfather and the 36th President of the United States. | Mahsuda Ali is admired by her daughter for being brave, kind and caring. | Marija Intihar taught her granddaughter the importance of optimism and love |
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| Mark Richard Casagrande bravely battled cancer and was his daughter's hero. | Matthew C. Bausch wants to build a physical therapy facility. | Matthew D. Cohen rescued his brother in a peaceful way. | Matthew Renna is a magical wood carver who inspires his family. |
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| Michael James Lachtrup has taught his daughter to see the beauty and goodness in the world around her. | Mothers of all kinds are heroes. | My Father, Arthur Newman Actor, businessman, philanthropist Paul Newman on his dad. | My Grandma teaches her grandchildren that hard work and courage can help them overcome difficult times. |
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| My Mom, Christine raised three kids as a single mother and helps women and children escape abuse and violence | My Mom, Michelle helped her family cope and stick together through difficult times | My Sister: Jennifer Bird Women's basketball star Sue Bird talks about her sister and her hero: Jen Bird | Natalie Darwitz is an Olympic hockey champion who inspires her cousin with her perseverance and leadership skills. |
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| Oscar R. Ortiz is a devoted family man who became a minister and now helps the poor. | Papa Lloyd did not let his blindness keep him from serving his community. | Patrick and Angie Palmer are heroes to the young hero, Amber | Paul Confiant is a loving and caring father to his son, P.J. |
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| Paula Watson is a role model to her granddaughter, Missy. | Peter E. Franz has worked very hard to become who he is today, and is his daughter's hero. | Phyllis Utircia Simmons is an inspiration to her daughter, Miriam | Piet Kroon is a talented Dutch filmmaker and devoted dad. |
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| Rachel Schloesser inspires her younger sister with her upbeat attitude and positive outlook on life. | Raja Weksler helped her daughter survive in a concentration camp. | Richard Lou Ellert is his son, Jesse's, hero. | Robert E. Kimura, M.D. is a hero to his niece in and out of the operating room. |
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| Robert Edward Doherty was an WWII veteran, a noted historian and author, and a beloved father, husband, grandfather, and friend. | Rose Marie Thomas donated time and effort to combatting childhood catastrophic diseases. | Ruth Kaminsky Michele's great grandmother escaped terrible tragedy and danger in Poland and created a new life for herself in Canada. | Sadie Dunn is an inspiring role model as a teacher and great-grandmother. |
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| Shannon Holloway is admired by his grandson because he always helped people and had a positive outlook on life. | Sharon Snyder is a role model, friend, and a constant source of strength, encouragement, and help. | Shequitta Kelly inspires her daughter with her accomplishments and her outreach to teens. | Steven Sadicario is admired by his son for his work ethic and the way he finds time to spend with his family. |
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| Susan Ence is committed to giving full-time care to her husband, who was left paralyzed after an accident. | Therese Koutnik is an inspiration to her sister and a role model for girls who would like to become engineers. | Thomas Victor Cordiner is a devoted and loving father to his daughter, Sara. | Tom Theurkauf is loved, honored and remembered by his family. |
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| Tommy Keith treated Matt as his own son and taught him the value of kindness and integrity. | Wati Herlina Bolga Hasli, My Mother teachers her daughet to have confidence in herself and do her best. | William Warren Bradley Former senator Bill Bradley on his father. | Zach's Grandmother Myra is an example for others trying to lose weight and care for their health |
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| A Powerful Noise promotes the global empowerment of women | A Stranger helped a young girl who was lost in the city. | Alan Beavan will be remembered for his bravery on Sept. 11, 2001. | Albert Schweitzer had a 'reverence for life.' |
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| Andrea Coleman has used her passion for motorcycling to transform healthcare delivery in rural parts of Africa. | Babak Darvish, MD inspires his patients and coworkers with his upbeat attitude and determination. | Balto led his dog team on the lifesaving 1925 serum run to Rome, Alaska | Ben Carson is the chief of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. |
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| Bernard Fantus created the world's first blood bank. | Bernard Kouchner is the co-founder of Doctors without Borders | Bill Wilson changed countless lives and livelihoods by founding Alcoholics Anonymous. | Chiune and Yukiko Sugihara believed in freedom and saved many Jews during WWII. |
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| Claire Lalanne founded the Center for Nutritional Recovery. | Colonel Jack H. Jacobs His extraordinary heroism saved the lives of 14 people. | Dan Mazur sacrificed climbing to the summit of Mt. Everest to save another climber. | Dennis Smith Dennis Smith is an author and retired firefighter |
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| Desmond T. Doss became a medic during WWII and saved many lives. | Doctor Steven Kopits was a compassionate physician who lives on in the hearts of his patients. | Don Cheadle and Darfur Now deliver a call to action to stop the genocide in the Sudan. | Dr. David Applebaum was a selfless emergency room doctor in Jerusalem |
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| Dr. Ginger Holt saved Drew's leg when he was in the hospital. | Dr. J. Larry Brown directs the national Center on Hunger and Poverty. | Dr. Mark Jacobson works with AIDS patients in Tanzania. | Dr. Michael DeBakey is the father of modern open-heart surgery. |
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| Dr. Paul Brand was a compassionate surgeon who pioneered work in leprosy. | Dr. Van Halbach is a hero to the Ghenender family for saving Ingrid's life. | Eddie Aikau loved the sea and often risked his life to save others | Edith Cavell was a nurse who risked her own safety to help others during WWI |
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| Elizabeth Blackwell became the first female doctor and opened the first medical school for women. | Evelyn H. Lauder founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation | Fauzia Minallah is the founder of Funkor Childart Centre and an ARTIVIST. | Firefighters in New York City are the heroes of the day. |
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| Fireworkers from Chernobyl bravely gave their lives to protect the safety of others during the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. | Florence Ngobeni urges African leaders to work for AIDS prevention. | Florence Nightingale revolutionized nursing. | Frances Moore Lappe works to eliminate the injustices that cause hunger. |
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| Fred Hollows was an Australian ophthalmologist committed to providing eye care to Aboriginal and poor people. | Fridtjof Nansen was a daring explorer, a freedom fighter, and a selfless humanitarian. | George Latham saved a girl from a burning car and is also a hero to his daughter. | Giorgio Perlasca saved the lives of thousands of Jews during WWII |
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| Harriet Tubman organized the Underground Railroad and helped lead slaves to freedom. | Helene Gayle is one of the leading authorities on AIDS research. | Hermine Santrouschitz (Miep Gies) kept Anne Frank and her family safely hidden from the Nazis. | In My Name challenges all of us to take a stand to end poverty. |
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| Irena Sendler helped Jewish children escape the Warsaw ghetto during the Holocaust. | Ivan Beltrami joined the resistance during WWII and saved many Jews. | Jody Williams is a human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner who began a campaign to rid the world of landmines. | John Polivchuk was a firefighter who inspired others with his bravery, selflessness and optimism. |
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| Jon Rose is a surfer dedicated to bringing clean drinking water to the world. | Judith Blair donated one of her kidneys to a man in desperate need. | Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is a hero to Rachel who was recently diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. | Kurt Klein brought, among others, his future wife, Gerda, and Oskar Schindler, to safety. |
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| Lillie Hitchcock-Coit was a turn of the century firefighting hero. | Liviu Librescu was a Virginia Tech teacher who sacrificed his life to save his students. | Maximilian Kolbe was a Catholic Saint known for his great humanity during WWII. | Michael Kelley beat all the odds as a paratrooper and police officer. |
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| Mike Kelly risked his career as a surgeon to save Bob's life. | Mikey Ray Frasier is a lifesaver three times over. | Molly Pitcher was a Revolutionary War heroine who bravely carried water to soldiers on the battlefield. | Moses Zulu established Children's Town in Zambia to teach AIDS orphans life skills. |
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| mpower harnesses the power of music to change youth attitudes about mental health. | Nathaniel Dunigan creates hope for Ugandan orphans with HIV/AIDS. | Nick Anderson and Ana Slavin challenge young people to get involved to help end the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. | Norman Borlaug saved billions of lives with his agricultural discoveries. |
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| Olara Otunnu is devoted to saving the lives and futures of children in war-torn countries. | Olivia Harrison founded an organization to help abandoned children in Romania. | Oumoul Khary Sow founded the Caravan of Hope which travels to remote areas in Senegal to help prevent malaria. | Pat Pedraja and Driving for Donors is helping young and old cancer patients receive the life saving bone marrow treatments. |
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| Paul Farmer has dedicated his life to treating people in the poorest nations in the world | Paul Rusesabagina saved the lives of more than 1200 Rwandans who took refuge in his hotel. | Princess Eliza Ella has been inspired by Eliza the hero in The Wild Swans by Hans Christian Anderson | Raoul Wallenberg saved thousands of lives during the Holocaust. |
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| RAWA promotes women's rights through non-violent action. | Robert E. Kimura, M.D. is a hero to his niece in and out of the operating room. | Rudolph Giuliani , New York Mayor, was a compassionate leader following the World Trade Center attack. | Ryan Hreljac helps build wells for clean water in Africa. |
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| Sompop Jantraka helps poor children in Thailand to avoid child prostitution and obtain an education. | To Write Love On Her Arms was founded to help people suffering from depression and substance abuse. | Tommie Hamaluba is a teacher in Botswana, Africa working to eradicate malaria. | Trisomy 18 Foundation raises awareness and supports research for cures for this genetic disorder. |
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| Vilmos Farkas sacrificed his personal safety to save the lives of a couple of strangers. |
Last changed on:3/17/2008
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