Robert Beckerle, my father, is my hero. During the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama, he was thrown out of a restaurant for going in with an Indian friend of his to eat. They were refused service and told to leave. They refused to leave, and had to be physically "escorted" out. My father eventually went to law school (at the encouragement of the late Millard Fullard, founder of Habitat for Humanity). Over the 49 years that my father has practiced law, he has often forgone collecting his fees from those who could not afford to pay. Other times he would accept goods and services (such as shrimp from the shrimpers in Bayou La Batre) rather than money. He is a Baptist, and participates in programs such as the Jewish-Christian Dialogue that teach tolerance and inclusion. He always sides with the "underdog". He's my Dad, my hero.
Submitted by Anonymous
We've all had people in our lives who have made a positive impact on us. A parent or grandparent, a sibling who was there for us, or maybe even just a guy who shines shoes for a living? Whoever they are, tell us their story so they can inspire us even more.
Tell Us Your Story All Everyday Hero Stories