By celebrating the exploits of their heroes in ballad and legend, Americans elevate them as shining examples of that collective Spirit. The hero is the common person with uncommon valor whose achievements are magnified larger than life. In turn, the hero serves history, an exemplar shaping the ideals of new generations. In other words, the hero is the individual transformed by the community who in turn transforms the community. These days the very idea of the hero is in some difficulty.
Immediate performance is valued over character.
So, sports or entertainment figures more than those in other pursuits are searched out for conspicuous celebration. Ironically, constant public attention often reveals private imperfections that disqualify the candidate as an inspiring moral figure. Also, the popular image of the astronaut is ambiguous at best. Before the shuttle program, astronauts were treated as classic heroes. As symbols, they strongly suggested that the astronauts were special when compared with mere earthlings.