Heroes often die unnoticed but their virtues continue to live. Recently the death of Mel Cuba, a 99-year-old resident of Del Ray, Florida, went for the most part unnoticed, but his greatest virtues continue to impact the next generation.

On August 8, 1933 forty orphanage residents were swept away by a wave while on excursion to the beach at Rockaway Queens, New York. Six lifeguards rushed in the water and rescued thirty-three of them. Mel Cuba may have performed the most heroic act of the six. He swam 100 feet out from the shore and grabbed four boys. Two were on his back and one on each arm and he somehow miraculously kept their heads above the water for several minutes before another lifeguard could maneuver a catamaran close to him.  All six lifeguards were honored for their efforts, but Mel Cuba was thought to have performed the most amazing feat. What made Cuba such a hero was that he would not give up.  He never gave up when he was nearly unconscious from exhaustion. Mel Cuba didn’t give up; he didn’t give, he just gave it his all. Persistence under pressure was his greatest virtue.

In 1933 New York City honored Mel Cuba as a hero, but soon his story was forgotten except by the four children he rescued.  Had Cuba given up, four children would never have seen adulthood nor would they have had had descendents. If the orphans he rescued are living today they are in their eighties and are grandparents and possibly even great grandparents. His character helped them experience life, and in them his virtuous actions live on.

Character is not just about doing good things; it is about doing the right thing over and over again. Even when you are weary, discouraged and exhausted, continue to do what is right. While persistence under pressure may not make you a hero, it will take you one more step down the character path.

Characterpath.com
Gary Fenton

Watch Birmingham CBS 42 at 10:00 a.m. as Gary continues the Steps on the Character Path sermon series.