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<p>Now I know what it feels like to have people tell you they are thankful to us and too many times I see a false modesty. Take it from a veteran who was not welcomed before that we do deserve some kind of validation. </p><p><br></p><p>In your more elderly years you WILL reflect and over time I have come to appreciate other older veterans. Some here have a very good grasp of leadership and those pearls of wisdom should not go unheeded and this includes veterans both older and younger than myself.</p><p><br></p><p>As for myself, I do appreciate the kind words. Do I consider myself a hero? No, but that is a natural reaction to being put on the spot.</p>
Service
Heroes
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 76
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Only in my Walter Mitty-esque fantasies.... ;o)
But seriously, no I do not consider myself a hero.
But seriously, no I do not consider myself a hero.
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A hero is an archetype - a mythological entity. We often say we're not heroes, we just did our job. The unfortunate piece is that we do not get to choose whether or not we become "heroes."
If someone decides to look up to you as a hero they've made you one despite your objections.
What I've taken from this is an added sense of responsibility. I'm no longer serving, but I work with cadets all the time and I can see that look in their eyes. They want my approval, my input, they want to emulate me. The little buggers went and turned me into a hero. So it is my responsibility to live up to that archetype the best I can. If they are going to follow my lead and use me as a template for their own success I have to be on my game. Just as when I served and lead Airmen, I have to set the example.
To be a hero isn't a choice, or a conscious decision. I've encountered those in the service I would call heroes - and certainly of a caliber higher than myself. Would I call myself a hero? No, but for the sake of my cadets I'll play the part, but I'm always sure to tell them the tales of the heroes I knew.
We are all myths in a great story. It's up to us to ensure that story is told correctly with the right intent and purpose. Even when we receive our discharge and are standing in line at the VA we still have a part to play in the story of our profession, our branches, our units, our buddies, and our heroes.
If someone decides to look up to you as a hero they've made you one despite your objections.
What I've taken from this is an added sense of responsibility. I'm no longer serving, but I work with cadets all the time and I can see that look in their eyes. They want my approval, my input, they want to emulate me. The little buggers went and turned me into a hero. So it is my responsibility to live up to that archetype the best I can. If they are going to follow my lead and use me as a template for their own success I have to be on my game. Just as when I served and lead Airmen, I have to set the example.
To be a hero isn't a choice, or a conscious decision. I've encountered those in the service I would call heroes - and certainly of a caliber higher than myself. Would I call myself a hero? No, but for the sake of my cadets I'll play the part, but I'm always sure to tell them the tales of the heroes I knew.
We are all myths in a great story. It's up to us to ensure that story is told correctly with the right intent and purpose. Even when we receive our discharge and are standing in line at the VA we still have a part to play in the story of our profession, our branches, our units, our buddies, and our heroes.
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TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan
I wonder if this is why many of our brothers and sisters in arms get very upset when they've been made into a hero and they object because they feel unworthy. I agree with your comments I think at times we are made into one whether other veterans/service members or the general public. I appreciate your perspective. I still do not consider myself a "hero" but will always maintain my integrity, service before self and excellence in what I do.
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Not a hero, just a guy doing my job as so assigned. But I do appreciate people welcoming home. Quite the opposite when I came home.
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I enlisted because I felt that it was the right thing to do. Being a soldier is something that I am proud of, mainly because of what I stand for and because of the family I have become a part of, but I would never consider myself a hero. I know a few who have done amazing things, but that is not a title that I limit to soldiers and it is most definitely one that is not given lightly.
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I think that it's other people that can call you a hero.
A very wise Sgt once told me that "Being a hero means being scared sh*tless and still doing the right thing".
A very wise Sgt once told me that "Being a hero means being scared sh*tless and still doing the right thing".
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No, I do not consider myself a Hero. I have some young people and family who consider me their hero. I have no choice over what they choose to believe. I never solicited their praise or laud, but I do believe that if you have people in your lives that care about you and have knowledge of your dedication to duty and commitment to country they may see you as a version of what they believe to be a hero... I would say that I take great care not to tarnish what they believe and to uphold a standard of honor to live up to their vision. I'm not perfect but I care about them as much as they care about me.
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Me a hero? Yeah right, you gotta be kidding me. I was a loudmouth, non-conformist, ego junkie, functional drunken asshole while I was in, but never came close to being a hero by any streach of the imagination.
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CPO Greg Frazho
Very well-stated, John. I read your response and the third sentence in particular made me experience deja vu! (But I wasn't drunk in Iraq or the 'Stan!)
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