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Regular Joe
 
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| I ran accross this article in the STL Post Dispatch. As a Non-Heroic Veteran myself I've always thought that individuals that serve the country should have more benefits than they do. We definitely should have a better system for taking care of them medically from the injuries sustained while in the service. The toll of jumping and humping on the body as you get older is more apparent. But this author brings up the basic question, what is a hero? I thought the opinion from the ranks from which many heros come would be interesting. http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/columnists.nsf/billmcclellan/story/B5EC411F12404F91862576B8000E6E54?OpenDocument
Cry Havoc and let loose the Dogs of War  E Tai E Epi Tas-Come Back with your shield........Or on It!!! 
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Hard Charger
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| Unfortunatly the definition of the word "hero" is illdefined by improper use. Remember 9/11 when they were calling the people in the pentagon and towers "heros"? Well, they weren't "heros" they were victims! The "heros" there were those like the police, fire, etc that rushed in when everyone else was rushing out, or those already in the buildings that stayed and put their own asses on the line to help to try and help those who primary interest was to save their own asses. Then you have those that confuse celebrity with a "hero" this is demonstrated perfectly in the game "Guitar Hero". The definition is really hard to articulate for me though because situations and people are so different. Is a guy that gets pissed off and charges a machine gun nest in a fit of anger more of a hero than the aircraft crew man who fears death but goes on combat missions day after day despite his fear and nightmares? Some of us, probably the smartest amoung us in fact, are far more aware of the odds and dangers stacked up against them and thus have the sense to be afraid when others are not. Others, live day to day and hour by hour and don't carry the burden of fear so strongly. This type doesn't have nightmares. For my money the the guy who knows the risks he is taking and is scared shitless but does it anyway repetativly has more real courage than the guy that in a fit of anger or rage does some single heroic act. And thus is more of a hero. I don't know if this was the kind of discussion you were looking for but in a nutshell this is the way I think of it. When you get down to it a hero is one that KNOWINGLY layes it all on the line to help, save, or protect the lives of others.
De Oppresso Liber
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Hard Charger
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Unfortunatly the definition of the word "hero" is illdefined by improper use. Remember 9/11 when they were calling the people in the pentagon and towers "heros"? Well, they weren't "heros" they were victims! The "heros" there were those like the police, fire, etc that rushed in when everyone else was rushing out, or those already in the buildings that stayed and put their own asses on the line to help to try and help those who primary interest was to save their own asses. You can't tell me the family member or friend of a 'Victim' working in the Pentagon or World Trade Center Towers is incorrect to say or feel their loved one is a Hero. It's just not that cut and dried my friend! 
http://www.327infantry.org/second/c_co A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
-Thomas Jefferson
IMOFSGT Nelson P. Henry101st 2nd/327th -NO SLACKKIA October 28, 1967 in QuangTin Province RVN
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Hard Charger
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SMSB (1/31/2010)
Unfortunatly the definition of the word "hero" is illdefined by improper use. Remember 9/11 when they were calling the people in the pentagon and towers "heros"? Well, they weren't "heros" they were victims! The "heros" there were those like the police, fire, etc that rushed in when everyone else was rushing out, or those already in the buildings that stayed and put their own asses on the line to help to try and help those who primary interest was to save their own asses. You can't tell me the family member or friend of a 'Victim' working in the Pentagon or World Trade Center Towers is incorrect to say or feel their loved one is a Hero. It's just not that cut and dried my friend! Oh yes I can my friend because it is a perversion of the language. If we accept their definition then everyone and anyone that ever died from a terrorist attack or even was the victim in a murder is a "hero". Or is there some distinction in the character and mode of ones death when they are a kid murdered at random in a drive by shooting verses a person who died in a terrorist attack? Are all the Iraqis and Afghans who have died due to car bombs or other terrorist means then "heros"? Or is it just Americans that are heros when their killed in a terrorist attack? What about ALL the "innocent" civilians that fall under the cold term "collateral damage"? By their definitions they are all then also "heros". To me, and the dictionary definitions I can find, unless they did something that displayed courage or great character during the event then the fact that they were murdered does not make them a "hero" but a victim. It is NOT being heartless to understand and articulate the distinction between the two because it is WRONG and an affront to those that have ligitimatly earned the distinction of being called a "hero' to lesson the meaning(s) of the word. IOW by calling everyone a "hero" that died on 9/11 you make absolutly no distinction in character and motive between the actions of those that were trying to get away and those that ran into the buildings in order to try and save lives.
De Oppresso Liber
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Hard Charger
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10thSFG (1/31/2010)
SMSB (1/31/2010)
Unfortunatly the definition of the word "hero" is illdefined by improper use. Remember 9/11 when they were calling the people in the pentagon and towers "heros"? Well, they weren't "heros" they were victims! The "heros" there were those like the police, fire, etc that rushed in when everyone else was rushing out, or those already in the buildings that stayed and put their own asses on the line to help to try and help those who primary interest was to save their own asses. You can't tell me the family member or friend of a 'Victim' working in the Pentagon or World Trade Center Towers is incorrect to say or feel their loved one is a Hero. It's just not that cut and dried my friend! Oh yes I can my friend because it is a perversion of the language. If we accept their definition then everyone and anyone that ever died from a terrorist attack or even was the victim in a murder is a "hero". Or is there some distinction in the character and mode of ones death when they are a kid murdered at random in a drive by shooting verses a person who died in a terrorist attack? Are all the Iraqis and Afghans who have died due to car bombs or other terrorist means then "heros"? Or is it just Americans that are heros when their killed in a terrorist attack? What about ALL the "innocent" civilians that fall under the cold term "collateral damage"? By their definitions they are all then also "heros". To me, and the dictionary definitions I can find, unless they did something that displayed courage or great character during the event then the fact that they were murdered does not make them a "hero" but a victim. It is NOT being heartless to understand and articulate the distinction between the two because it is WRONG and an affront to those that have ligitimatly earned the distinction of being called a "hero' to lesson the meaning(s) of the word. IOW by calling everyone a "hero" that died on 9/11 you make absolutly no distinction in character and motive between the actions of those that were trying to get away and those that ran into the buildings in order to try and save lives. Definitions are defined in the hearts and minds of everyone on this planet however they see fit according to whatever source they see fit, not in some ones hall of fame, best of the best, elite members only dictionary on high. To tell someone their loved one is not a Hero does NO good in my opinion. It's their freedom to have that choice. You gonna tell that kid down the street his father who lost his leg from an IED in Iraq is not a Hero because it's perverted or distorted and incorrect use of the language, you've lost touch with reality. I agree this country's perception of a true Hero is a bit watered down...but I for one would never attempt to dishearten someone by telling them it is not. If they want to believe their relative or friend is a Hero, who the hell am I to disagree with that...it's something between the two of them. And for me to even begin to think I have a say so in what they are feeling other than to offer my condolences is perverse. Taking the extreme all or one to none, black and white approach to Heroism lends no creedence to the son or daughter who's parent get's up and provides a living for their family that just happens to be the Hero in thier minds for getting out the freakin bed and going to work every day, 6 days a week, 51 weeks a year. You go trying to set a standard on Hero's in this country then you better get a better grip on what you are attempting to dish-out.
http://www.327infantry.org/second/c_co A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
-Thomas Jefferson
IMOFSGT Nelson P. Henry101st 2nd/327th -NO SLACKKIA October 28, 1967 in QuangTin Province RVN
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Hard Charger
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| Well geee I guess I'm just a stupid heartless SOB for not agreeing with someone calling an orange a tangerine because it might hurt their feelings! The families can call their victims heros all they want but the simple fact is they are no more heros than those that died in fires, accidental explosions, hurricaines, tornados, ship sinkings, auto accidents and any other tragic event that people die in, including as "collatarl damage". A man serving his country in the armed forces who gives his all IS a hero. By intent and action the very act of going to war in defense of ones country is in fact an act of courage and conviction and thus a heroic act. But on the rest you and I will have to agree to disagree on this one because I don't think that the act of dieing alone is enough to qualify one as a hero. It is unfortunate that you could not disagree with me without getting disagreeable.
De Oppresso Liber
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FOG Paratrooper
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| I think a Hero is a personal decision. My Father and a couple others formed the Peoria CAP in 1941. He later served in Europe during 1945 with the 8th AAF in a non-combat role. Then after the War he again served in the CAP. He died in 1950 due to injuries he received in Europe in 1945. He received a Military Funeral, and was awarded his Capt Bars postumously. To me he is a Hero, regardless of any definition in a book, whether it is proper or not. My 10 yr old granddaughter just the other day saw my KDSM and NDSM medals that my daughters got me a few years ago for my birthday. She said "Grandpa are those your medals?" I said "yes". She said "Grandpa I am so proud of you, you are a hero". I said "No sweetheart, Grandpa was just another peacetime Soldier doing his job and I am not a Hero". She said "Well I think you are". As far as I am concerned that says it all. Being a Hero is like beauty, it is in the eyes of the beholder. Can we ever have too many Hero's, I don't think so. speling edite
RJ - SCOUTS OUT! 
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Regular Joe
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All answers are good. A Hero to one person (IMHO) is not a hero to all. Many parents are heros of their children because of the sacrifices they make for their children. So selfless service could be a criteria? I admit to learning a lot from the responses so far. In Italy there was a soldier in my company named Hatcher, he hated the Army with much intensity. He did his job, got promoted to SP/4, and ETSd. He went to all field problems and carried his weight. For his tenacity in hanging with a job he truely hated, his pride in him self and his Country, and gutting out his three years I thought of him as a hero.
Cry Havoc and let loose the Dogs of War E Tai E Epi Tas-Come Back with your shield........Or on It!!!
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Trooper
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| Maybe we're looking at hero through a lens with a specific focus on deeds or actions of valor. The fireman who enters the burning building to save a child or the soldier who charges the machine gun nest. Hero is also used to refer to those who perform deeds in a field or endeavor that are above the norm. The heroic doctor is a hero to those whose lives he has saved with his great skills as well as those who work in the same field and know his abilities. Where I think our country has gone astray is in having heroes who are athletes or entertainers. Michael Jackson was a great entertainer but a poor role model and should not be anyone's hero. John Wayne acted like a hero but was another who could easily be said to be a bad role model. Worse yet in the current situation where we have young men and women in harm's way fighting for our country when we look at the news the only heroes they seem to mention are the reporters who are there getting in the way and interfering with the war efforts. My dad served in the Army in WWII. He was not a hero just because he served. And he was not a good role model. His brother was decorated with the Silver Star in Korea. He was a hero, but he was not such a good role model either. I am a "lowly" decorated Vietnam Vet. I am not a hero. I like to think that I am (now) a good role model. The point is that sometimes we do misuse the word and sometimes we call people heroes who are not. So who do we call a hero? Do you look up to that person? DO you respect and honor them as well as what they have done? Then that person is your hero. Does that make him my hero? Maybe.
 The hippo is unpredictable and aggressive with old scars and fresh, deep wounds providing signs of daily fights that are accompanied by much bellowing, neighing and snorting.
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