The Hero's Reward

It used to be that brave men who saved damsels in distress were admired and rewarded -- you know, knights of yore and such. These days, it doesn't seem to work out that way, however:

Waiter Fired After Leaving Shift To Save Carjacking Victim

A waiter in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who left his shift to rescue a woman being attacked by an armed carjacker was fired after the heroic effort.

Restaurant waiter Juan Canales spotted the attack and ran to help.

Canales said he tackled the culprit, who police identified as Albert Means, and held him until police could arrive.

However, when Canales went back to work, he said his boss terminated him.

"He told me you're dismissed, you're fired," Canales said. "And I looked him and I said, 'Are you serious?' (He said) go, get out of here, you're fired."

When a society no longer encourages and celebrates heroism -- unselfish bravery -- it will wither and die. And it deserves to.