Most people have role models when they are young and soon outgrow the need for them. Those "heroes" may be celebrities, sports figures, even political persons. Some are not so remote from the child.

My role models were the people around me. I looked up to my uncles who went to war. I had role models who taught me in school, preached at me from the pulpit, and even one who was a kind of town drunk and chewed cigars all day. But he knew just about everything there was to know, and I adored him.

My best role model was my father. He was an orphan at five years old and he grew up tough. He had to be because of the environment in the orphanage. His role models were older kids, and they were tough on the young ones.

My father was tough, but he hardly ever used that toughness on me. I adored him.

Young people select their role models from people they see in action. They may be actors on a screen, players on a field, or older siblings and parents.

It is tough to pick a role model from the actors and actresses of today. They are covered like duct tape in the media. Every little blemish and misstep is announced and beaten over and over. And they DO have lots of blemishes and make many missteps.

Sports figures are getting tougher to pick as role models. I don't think there are many left with qualities I would adore. Unless you are a bicycle racing fan or a golfer, name one.

I really don't have to point out who I meant, but Lance Armstrong - even though he packed it in with his ex-wife and ran around with a musician for a while - would be one choice. He has shown courage, stamina, resilience, dedication and even though humility isn't one of his stronger points, I would choose him.

I need not list Tiger Wood's qualities. He has them all.

But I still choose my uncles, some of my boyhood townies and my father.

They were my John Waynes, my Humphrey Bogarts, my Joe Dimaggios and my John Glenns.

They still are.