These two letters to the editor appeared in the Amarillo Globe-News Feb. 20, 2003, along with several others on the same topic. They were responding to another letter that week that said Rick Husband was a nice, talented guy but not a hero and that the city should not go overboard in naming something after him.

Put Husband's name on something big

I agree that the word "hero" is overused. Someone who dies while doing his or her job is not necessarily a hero.

Rick Husband, however, surpasses that definition. He is a hero in the sense that he is greatly admired.

Husband also represented much of the population of the Texas Panhandle with his individual initiative, with his love of family and by going above and beyond his job to inspire others with a bold, consistent proclamation of his faith in God.

He earned having his name on something big, and his status as an astronaut and pilot makes the Amarillo airport the obvious choice.

Mike Haynes, Amarillo

Rick a hero of the Christian faith

Rick Husband may not be a hero in Daniel Franks' eyes, but he is in mine and many others.

My dictionary defines hero as "a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities; one that shows great courage." Rick was admired for his achievements, showed exceptional, noble qualities, and the fact that he was an astronaut who died in flight displayed his courage.

Rick also was a hero of the Christian faith. He always was willing, without shame, to share the Gospel.

So, I respectfully disagree with Mr. Franks and feel that renaming the Amarillo airport would be the very minimum we could do to recognize Rick Husband, hero of many.

Kevin Deckard, Canyon