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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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Memorial Day is approaching, those we memorialize on that day are heroes.
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NO, I went where I was ordered with my K-9, followed my orders and severed at the bequest of my Commander in Chief. Granted I was sent to protect Top Secret areas but never ever thought myself as a HERO. I never saw war--the Army in 1968 cut the orders not me. War doesn't make a HERO, the person who puts themselves on the line is the HERO.
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SSgt (Join to see)
My take is that heroes are those who actually respond to an emergency (of any kind) with composure and compassion. A doctor and nurse can save a person's life. To the person who was healed that doctor can literally a 'hero'.
Even acts by a soldier who aids a civilian in a war area could be a hero. An Air Traffic Controller may save an aircraft with instructions or a pilot who circumnavigates severe weather in an emergency.
Or simple acts of kindness and nurturing is heroic. See any nurse and you get the sense of caring and that kind of nurture can help a person survive cancer.
Veterans who rotate overseas away from their families whether in war or TDY sacrifice a lot and the heroism of the veteran and the wife are heroic but in a slow drawn out process.
Even acts by a soldier who aids a civilian in a war area could be a hero. An Air Traffic Controller may save an aircraft with instructions or a pilot who circumnavigates severe weather in an emergency.
Or simple acts of kindness and nurturing is heroic. See any nurse and you get the sense of caring and that kind of nurture can help a person survive cancer.
Veterans who rotate overseas away from their families whether in war or TDY sacrifice a lot and the heroism of the veteran and the wife are heroic but in a slow drawn out process.
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LTC Dr Richard Wasserman
No I don't. But, I did 48 months and 6 tours in the Zone and earned my CAB in direct contact. Hero's are folks that save their buddies during contact.
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<p>In large part our society has devalued the word 'hero'. It too often refers to some dimwitted, shallow, self serving knot head who plays a sport for $$$$ each weekend and then thinks himself to be the 'hero' because everybody else thinks he's a 'hero'.</p><p><br></p><p>The truth is that heroes are a very small and very select group of extraordinary individuals who do what others can't or won't in perilous times. Most of us don't qualify....</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
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<p>Medals do not make you a hero. Doing your job does not make you a hero. Recognition does not make you a hero. </p><p>I have done my job, and I have done it well, that does not make me a hero. I did it because I was good at it. I am not a hero, though I hope to someday be a hero, ~"someone who others look up too" (never to be confused with heroic). The day when I know that my leadership influence has passed on to influence the next two to three generations of Soldiers, only then may I begin to think of myself as hero. </p><p>(Thank you CSM(R) Ronald Sneed. One of the greatest heroes I have had the honor of serving with.) </p>
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Yes, I feel I am a hero!! I was decorated with the Distuished Flying Cross, for heroric action over the ancient city of Hue', South Viet Nam. I killed many communist combatants on the rooftops in fortified positions with my m-60 machine gun, fom a Huey gunship!! We had some of the first Cobra's, but not enough to do the job! That's why we were still flying in our old gunships!! <div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div> </div>
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I consider myself as someone who did my job during my career, I do consider the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives as hero's, at least they are my hero's in my eyes, as many of them gave their lives for me to be here today.
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SSgt (Join to see)
As time has gone on here I appreciate your input and think you make a difference. Your responses show me that your evaluations are not off-handed and I appreciate that/
I do thank you for justifying to older veterans what we know through sacrifice. I remember this one black guy getting multiple shots in a mobility mobilization and I guess it was at that point that I begun to understand our times and the times your generation would endure.
As well it does matter to those who say so and those who don't.
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No way! I am a Soldier. I am a guy who LOVES his country, his family, friends and the brothers and sisters who came before me and those that will come after me. I think the real hero's are those who stand behind us everyday and support us!
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Not in this lifetime or the next. I'm just a guy who did the right thing at the right time by serving my country. Nothing more, nothing less.
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SSG (Join to see)
Like muscle memory, heroes react to what is natural within their soul. They don't believe in classification they just do. They don't ask for anything in return. They pay it forward.
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SP5 Tom Carlson
I just did what I had to do, came home alive.. Some gave some and some gave it all. who is the Hero
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The term hero has in my opinion been lessoned to such a state that today it is used for everything. this I find a shame for those that truly deserve the right to be considered a hero. I tried finding a solid definition that encompassed what I believe to truly classify as a hero. nothing written that I could find. I did however find a response from an gentleman named Orion that I believe captures the true essence of a hero
"What makes a hero? That's someone who goes above and beyond what's expected of them, beyond their duty in order to help those in need. Usually at significant risk to their own life. Usually while they're terrified - after all, courage isn't the lack of fear, it's being terrified and doing the job anyway!
I think heroes are made. Their upbringing plants the seeds and then when the situation arises, they act. You see this in folks who will dive into a sinking car to rescue a child or who brave heavy enemy fire to rescue their battle-buddy..
Characteristics?
Courageous - They act, even when afraid.
Decisive - They act when there is need.
Helpful - They desire to help those in desperate need.
Dedication to Selfless Service - They act without concern for their own safety.
Determination to do what is right - They will not stand by and watch the right thing NOT being done. "
This in my opinion makes a true hero.
"What makes a hero? That's someone who goes above and beyond what's expected of them, beyond their duty in order to help those in need. Usually at significant risk to their own life. Usually while they're terrified - after all, courage isn't the lack of fear, it's being terrified and doing the job anyway!
I think heroes are made. Their upbringing plants the seeds and then when the situation arises, they act. You see this in folks who will dive into a sinking car to rescue a child or who brave heavy enemy fire to rescue their battle-buddy..
Characteristics?
Courageous - They act, even when afraid.
Decisive - They act when there is need.
Helpful - They desire to help those in desperate need.
Dedication to Selfless Service - They act without concern for their own safety.
Determination to do what is right - They will not stand by and watch the right thing NOT being done. "
This in my opinion makes a true hero.
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