Plainfield Soldier Vying in "Hero" Contest; Online Voters Pick Winner

James Hart is one of five finalists in General Motors' Our Town, Our Heroes contest, but whether the Plainfield soldier wins the top prize depends on his family, friends -- and complete strangers.

Hart must receive more online votes than the four other nominees from Illiniois by Sunday in order to win the use of a new GM Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac for a week and a full tank of gas.

Votes are cast at DrivingtheMidwest.com, with the goal of supporting and rewarding "local heroes." GM selects five nominees every two weeks, with an Internet vote determining the winner.

In Hart's case, his nomination came from his wife, Elizabeth, who had this to say about her personal "hero":

"My husband is my hero because he will do anything for his family. He has deployed again in order to provide (for) me and our son. He last saw his son when he was 5 mths old. He will see him again when he is a year old. My husband is a reservist with no civilian employment. He will take any job the Army has to offer to make sure that we have a roof over our head, and food. He is so giving of himself. He puts himself in harm's way for our freedom."

Among those Hart is competing against is Donna Morsovillo, of Naperville, who organizes welcome home events for returning soldiers through her group, Operation Welcome You Home, and Rich Urban, a 20-year Army military police officer who is now a history teacher at an alternative school on Chicago's South Side.

Voting ends at 6 p.m. Sunday and the winner will be announced Monday.

To cast your vote, click here.