Top 11 Heroes Of 2011 (SLIDESHOW)

When it comes to the tragedies that defined this year -- from Jared Loughner's shooting rampage to the tornadoes that ravaged Joplin -- the stories of ordinary citizens who decidedly risked their own lives for others were often just as compelling as the news itself. Beyond such life-risking tales, there were heroic animal stories that defied reason and others in the public eye who quietly inspired others. Read 11 such stories of heroic inspiration that show the invaluable power of selflessness.

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Comments

[Cheyla]

06:39 PM on 12/09/2011

Glad to see two K9s made the cut - kitties need to step up!!

[vespachild]

02:56 AM on 12/09/2011

It is always good to hear such kind of stories. It is good to still remember that we can always help other people because we are just humans!

[TurnSeiki]

12:35 AM on 12/09/2011

Holy smokes! I thought that was Obama kissing Chavez again.

[SueMVetforObama2]

11:43 PM on 12/08/2011

I like folks who sacrifice for others.

[CANTHATBE]

11:33 PM on 12/08/2011

I was pretty sure I would see a game changing Kardashian when I clicked on the story.

[aveindustries]

11:32 PM on 12/08/2011

There are heroes all over the world, but I have no doubt the United States has more heroes than all.

It's ingrained in our culture to help others in times of crisis and emergency.

God Bless our Heroes both sung and unsung.

[Nobody78]

11:18 PM on 12/08/2011

It wasn't Obama or the Republican Party.

[loki]

11:09 PM on 12/08/2011

you want heroes, how about thousands of families who lost their jobs due to the greed of the corporations seeking lower wages and higher profits , then lost their homes due to job loss and or illegal acts of mortgage brokers, loan officers and banks, then survived the insults and bashing of the ignorant and rich who call them lazy and uneducated, ignorant, Neanderthals, leaches of society, and still managed to keep their family alive somehow. those are heroes too. The people who are able to survive the worst possible situation the Ruling Class Rich can through at us in the name of increasing their own personal wealth to levels never before seen in the history of mankind.

[LARRY LOU CHRISTIAN]

11:44 PM on 12/15/2011

CONFIRMED !! SPOT ON !

"America's top bosses enjoyed pay hikes of between 27 and 40% last year, according to the largest survey of US CEO pay. The dramatic bounceback comes as the latest government figures show wages for the majority of Americans are failing to keep up with inflation." ~ The Guardian, 14 December 2011


Between 1982 and 2005, personal income only grew about 10 percent over this time period and company earnings about 300 percent.

Greedy swine!!

[invisbl]

10:45 PM on 12/08/2011

classy.

[MinneMike]

11:33 PM on 12/08/2011

Now, what would you know about class?

[Caroleeena]

11:24 PM on 12/08/2011

Name calling demonstrates a emotional immaturity and a small mind.

[MinneMike]

11:34 PM on 12/08/2011

I'll trust your judgment about immaturity and a small mind. You must be the voice of experience.