And the generosity of the American people.

The vet is being hailed as a real life hero after being shot seven times while charging to block a door to prevent the crazed gunman from entering the room, according to the New York Daily News.

His aunt, Wanda Mintz, said after being shot several times, Mintz cried out to the shooter, "It's my son's birthday!" — Oct. 1 was his son's sixth birthday — but the killer showed no mercy, shooting him two more times.

Miraculously, Mintz survived!

"He just tried to do the right thing," the aunt said of her nephew. "That's just how he is. If he sees someone who needs help, he just helps. He just tried to intervene."