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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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Hero? No, BAMF? Yes! Just doing my job and awaiting the day to go play in the giant kitty litter box again does not make one a hero. My buddy who died saving 5 other Marines = Hero
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No sir I do not. Do I consider myself a Patriot, a Defender of Freedom, a Citizen who has stood up to be counted?
And if you ask any "true" hero, they will tell you that they are not.
And, I will say thank you to them.
In my opinion, anyone who picks up a rifle to defend this nation is heroic in stature.
And if you ask any "true" hero, they will tell you that they are not.
And, I will say thank you to them.
In my opinion, anyone who picks up a rifle to defend this nation is heroic in stature.
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I do not consider myself a hero and I believe that most of those that I have served with feel the same way. Most are humble men and women who would characterize their own actions, that others would deem heroic as, "Just doing my job."
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SGT Dañiel Luna-Fuller
A patriot yes a hero, no.
People say thank you for your service and I tell them no problem I was glad to do it.
People say thank you for your service and I tell them no problem I was glad to do it.
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As my son and his friends were in their last weeks as Cub Scouts and I their Den Leader, I was required to prepare them for Boy Scouting. Among the tasks was to teach them the Scout Oath and Laws and their meaning, one of which was "A Scout is brave". I told them stories that I had learned from history as well as those I experienced in Vietnam until the boys crafted their own definition: To be brave is to do what is needed (or your duty) in spite of your fear.
I thought that pretty much nailed it, but is bravery and heroism the same thing?
I think that "hero" and "guilt" are similar in that a person who commits a crime isn't "guilty" except by due process of law. In like manner, a person who acts bravely, does their duty regardless of their fear, isn't a "hero" unless it is proclaimed by another. Such recognition may be bestowed formally by the award of a decoration or citation, or it may be declared informally by anyone who simply sees them as a "hero" as when a civilian thanks them for their service.
I know that's convoluted, but it leads me to say, no, I don't think of myself as a "hero". That's for others to decide. I can only wrestle with my conscience.
I thought that pretty much nailed it, but is bravery and heroism the same thing?
I think that "hero" and "guilt" are similar in that a person who commits a crime isn't "guilty" except by due process of law. In like manner, a person who acts bravely, does their duty regardless of their fear, isn't a "hero" unless it is proclaimed by another. Such recognition may be bestowed formally by the award of a decoration or citation, or it may be declared informally by anyone who simply sees them as a "hero" as when a civilian thanks them for their service.
I know that's convoluted, but it leads me to say, no, I don't think of myself as a "hero". That's for others to decide. I can only wrestle with my conscience.
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Hell No! I'm the Forrest Gump of Military Intelligence, when stuff happened I just happened to be there. Heros are those that go running towards gunfire. Heros are you guys. I'm a klutz with really bad timing.
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I don't consider myself a Hero, but my stepson, sons and nephews do, and with that I am content.
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I do not feel like a hero. I feel that heroes are those that stood in the ranks years ago. Service members from previous conflicts and anyone who previously served honorably. To add to that, when someone thanks me for my service, I thank them for their support.
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Suspended Profile
Me NO,My father and many like him yes
My father spent 31 years in the U.S. Army Korea and 3 tours in Nam he received 2 purple hearts, silver star, Bronze star just to name a few citations’ I called my father a hero and he said that a hero is someone who has giving everything he has including his life with no compensation or reward expected. I am paid for what I do and whatever I do is expected of me. “ I am not a Hero”
So from that I formed my ideal of what a Hero is. A hero is someone who goes above and beyond what is expected, Acting without expecting anything for the act and without any regard for one’s own life
A Police officer, fireman, etc. is paid for their service and while on duty is excepted to perform his/her duty regardless of risk, and knows the risk going into that field. They are expected to whatever it takes. I believe the exception to that is that same person off duty acting with no regard to his/her life to save another life. A citizen who jumps into freezing water to save a drowning person etc.
I feel the same about a soldier with the exception of the supreme sacrifice, throwing yourself on a grenade to save your fellow soldiers, Saving a life and/or lives under very extreme conditions such risking one’s life to save lives while under fire or under similar conditions.
Anyway that’s my take on it.
My father spent 31 years in the U.S. Army Korea and 3 tours in Nam he received 2 purple hearts, silver star, Bronze star just to name a few citations’ I called my father a hero and he said that a hero is someone who has giving everything he has including his life with no compensation or reward expected. I am paid for what I do and whatever I do is expected of me. “ I am not a Hero”
So from that I formed my ideal of what a Hero is. A hero is someone who goes above and beyond what is expected, Acting without expecting anything for the act and without any regard for one’s own life
A Police officer, fireman, etc. is paid for their service and while on duty is excepted to perform his/her duty regardless of risk, and knows the risk going into that field. They are expected to whatever it takes. I believe the exception to that is that same person off duty acting with no regard to his/her life to save another life. A citizen who jumps into freezing water to save a drowning person etc.
I feel the same about a soldier with the exception of the supreme sacrifice, throwing yourself on a grenade to save your fellow soldiers, Saving a life and/or lives under very extreme conditions such risking one’s life to save lives while under fire or under similar conditions.
Anyway that’s my take on it.
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Not really. Never thought about it much. I just do my job.<br>
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No, I do not consider myself a hero, just someone who trained to do a certain job then did it to the best of my ability.
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Don't consider myself as such, just proud of my service and the men and women I've served with.
I do very much appreciate that civilians say something nice when they see a service member in uniform, even if it personally makes me feel a little awkward to receive thanks for doing my job.
I do very much appreciate that civilians say something nice when they see a service member in uniform, even if it personally makes me feel a little awkward to receive thanks for doing my job.
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