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As per the Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, the definition of "hero" is:
Main Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural heroes
Etymology: Latin heros, from Greek
Date: 14th century
1 a : a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability b : an illustrious warrior c : a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities d : one that shows great courage
2 a : the principal male character in a literary or dramatic work b : the central figure in an event, period, or movement
3 plural usually heroes : SUBMARINE 2
4 : an object of extreme admiration and devotion : IDOL
There's also what the Dictionary calls Hero worship defined as follows:
Main Entry: hero worship
Function: noun
Date: 1774
1 : veneration of a hero
2 : foolish or excessive adulation for an individual
After the Events of 9-11-01, the Media, Career Politicians, many of whom never were in the Military (while others made a Career out of being called one). Have promoted the idea of calling anybody, anyone who puts on a Military Uniform, a Hero. Now a days the DoD hands out Medals just for having set foot somewhere.
Gen. Eisenhower wore few Medals and MacArthur often wore None at all. Now I see all over the Media, left and right and all over the place, young military before the age of 30 with 10 yrs of Service wearing more medals than them. Many of them are even Females. So what's up with that?
IMVHO a Hero is someone who saves or tries to save someone else Life at the risk of his/her own life and well being. NOT everyone, NOT everybody who wears a Military Uniform has done that. Actually the records show that Very, very Few did. And Many, many Heroes are and have been Civilians. Others like Policemen, Firemen, EMT's, Nurses, Doctors etc. wear uniforms but NOT Military Uniforms.
Main Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural heroes
Etymology: Latin heros, from Greek
Date: 14th century
1 a : a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability b : an illustrious warrior c : a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities d : one that shows great courage
2 a : the principal male character in a literary or dramatic work b : the central figure in an event, period, or movement
3 plural usually heroes : SUBMARINE 2
4 : an object of extreme admiration and devotion : IDOL
There's also what the Dictionary calls Hero worship defined as follows:
Main Entry: hero worship
Function: noun
Date: 1774
1 : veneration of a hero
2 : foolish or excessive adulation for an individual
After the Events of 9-11-01, the Media, Career Politicians, many of whom never were in the Military (while others made a Career out of being called one). Have promoted the idea of calling anybody, anyone who puts on a Military Uniform, a Hero. Now a days the DoD hands out Medals just for having set foot somewhere.
Gen. Eisenhower wore few Medals and MacArthur often wore None at all. Now I see all over the Media, left and right and all over the place, young military before the age of 30 with 10 yrs of Service wearing more medals than them. Many of them are even Females. So what's up with that?
IMVHO a Hero is someone who saves or tries to save someone else Life at the risk of his/her own life and well being. NOT everyone, NOT everybody who wears a Military Uniform has done that. Actually the records show that Very, very Few did. And Many, many Heroes are and have been Civilians. Others like Policemen, Firemen, EMT's, Nurses, Doctors etc. wear uniforms but NOT Military Uniforms.
Posted in these groups: 
Military Life
Heroes
Military Life Heroes
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 33
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SPC Luis Mendez
Thanks to all who have contributed to the tread! Based on your replies, what's already known and have been said. I can safely conclude that this whole "hero" thing just for wearing a Military Uniform, is being promoted by the Media, Politicians, Businesses, any and all who stand to gain something from it; Not by the immense majority of the troops themselves. Though there appears to be a slim minority who do. It's a well known "Secret" and that's good to know!
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I am uncomfortable at the idea of being called that, as I don't feel I have made a significant enough contribution to warrant such an honor. I am uncomfortable when people thank me for my service or try to pay for a meal - I volunteered to serve, I don't feel I make a sacrifice. I just thank then for their support and go on about my day. People who enjoy being called a hero for serving are doing it for the wrong reasons. Even Sal Giunta has said he doesn't like it, because being a "hero" and MoH recipient means his buddies aren't coming home.
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LTC Stephen C.
CPT (Join to see), this thread is similar to one from sometime ago. Here's what I wrote then, and I still like it. It's from a real life interview with Dick Winters (Band of Brothers) where he quotes Mike Ranney on how Ranney answered a question his grandson once asked him. "I treasure my remark to my grandson who asked, 'Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' Grandpa said, 'No... but I served in a company of heroes'". SFC Mark Merino SPC Luis Mendez Capt Seid Waddell
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CPT (Join to see)
LTC Stephen C. - Band of Brothers should be required viewing for all service members. I wish I would have thought to ask my grandfathers about their service when they were alive, but I was too young to appreciate what they could have told me.
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SPC Luis Mendez
LTC Stephen C. - Yes it must have been before I started posting here in AT about a month ago. I saw similar titled threads but not exactly the same wording.
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SSgt Bill Harris
I agree with LTC Curlee, I am also uncomfortable when people refer to me as a hero. I server honorably for eight years but I was never in combat. I just did my job.
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I believe that only those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice would appreciate being called a hero. Well, except someone who gets insanely airbrushed on the cover of Vanity Fair. There is a profound sense of humility when it comes to the armed forces. Those that I have met who appear to 'embellish' their service are usually full of S!@#. They are usually found with a drink in their hand.
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Hero gets thrown around entirely too much. Personally I don't see hero's when I look at troops, even MOH recipients. I see a motley crew who can take what the worst the world can dish out and ask for seconds and thirds. I see a group that wouldn't hesitate to lay their lives down for another or would go beyond scared and make the effort to save their battles. No heroics in any of this, but rather a strong sense of determination, belief in something bigger than you, and the desire to see the mission to the end. None of that makes me or anyone else on RP a hero.
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SSG Melvin Nulph
That's one way of looking at it. But if you was not as strong or question your ability (training) to do the same as others have done, (hope you would be able to) ect. That them from our past have done, wouldn't that change the way you look at them?
99% of them (or more) titled a hero would say they was just doing their job or the right thing. But we will never know if we could or truly would because we wasn't there. But to someone they was and are their hero, if for nothing more than that moment in time. Because they couldnt.
99% of them (or more) titled a hero would say they was just doing their job or the right thing. But we will never know if we could or truly would because we wasn't there. But to someone they was and are their hero, if for nothing more than that moment in time. Because they couldnt.
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To be honest, I look at the "hero" thing as a way for the American public to avoid grappling with the reality of war. From what I've observed, it seems like a term used to put combat vets on a pedestal and then safely forget they're still paying the price of the war we all supported.
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SPC Luis Mendez
I would only add to that, a Perverted social Media in a Perverted Politico-Legal System.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
SPC Luis Mendez in BCT they called us heroes, then in AIT they called us Warriors. It was confusing because one day our PSG came to us to tell us that we were not allowed to call each other "Privates". I asked why not if that was our rank, that didn't went good and I never asked something else, for nonsense that it could be.
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SPC Luis Mendez
SGT(P) (Join to see) - Wow, how things have changed! Back in the days in BCT we were lucky to be called Trainee sometimes. Knuckle-head was my DS favorite term for us. We all called each other by our Last (Surname) in the name tag. After AIT even Spec's 5 were called by the Surname. Only the Sergeants and of course the CO's were Not.
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Not really. When I hear the familiar words, "Thank you for your service," I respond: "It was a blessing to serve."
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I would prefer to be a role model to my children. The term "hero" has become deluted by using it to describe sports figures. Games have no place for heros the outcome of a sporting event is the conclusion of a game and just leads to another game. I am not nor will ever be a hero I would much rather just be dad.
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I wore the uniform for 22 years. I did my time. I served my country faithfully, but I AM NOT A HERO.
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About as much as I like to be called a baby killer. Neither are true, so it feels like stolen valor to have someone call me that if that makes any sense.
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I often think of the Midland Fire Department paramedic Robert O'Donnell who went down into a well to save a girl in Midland, Tx back in 1987. The entire world was watching this rescue attempt on television over a period of two days. 7 years later, he committed suicide.
I've been a sailor, police officer, and a firefighter...and I cringe at the term hero. My shoulders are personally not strong enough to bear the weight associated with that term. I simply refer to a saying that I recently came across...and I have to agree with it. "It's not that I 'could' and others 'couldn't'; it's only that I did when others 'didn't'. And, I'll have to also add to that: I didn't do it alone. Just my .02.
I've been a sailor, police officer, and a firefighter...and I cringe at the term hero. My shoulders are personally not strong enough to bear the weight associated with that term. I simply refer to a saying that I recently came across...and I have to agree with it. "It's not that I 'could' and others 'couldn't'; it's only that I did when others 'didn't'. And, I'll have to also add to that: I didn't do it alone. Just my .02.
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I haven't done anything to merit that yet, so no, I would not be comfortable with it.
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To quote one of my favorite movies:
"To a New Yorker like you, a hero is some type of weird sandwich, not some nut who takes on three Tigers."
I've opened more than a few eyes by explaining that in the Army the term 'hero' is usually used as a pejorative, as in:
'What are you, some kind of hero?'
'Ok hero, bring that crap over here and I'll break it down Barney style for you.'
Bottom line is much like a drunk driver, a 'hero' usually gets other people killed for no good reason. A Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman, or Coastie, does their job. Don't be a 'hero'.
"To a New Yorker like you, a hero is some type of weird sandwich, not some nut who takes on three Tigers."
I've opened more than a few eyes by explaining that in the Army the term 'hero' is usually used as a pejorative, as in:
'What are you, some kind of hero?'
'Ok hero, bring that crap over here and I'll break it down Barney style for you.'
Bottom line is much like a drunk driver, a 'hero' usually gets other people killed for no good reason. A Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman, or Coastie, does their job. Don't be a 'hero'.
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Everybody that wears or has worn a uniform of any kind is not a hero doing what you are trained to do does not make you a hero doing your job does not make you a hero and for fans sure getting killed does not make you a hero
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SGT Haskel Meadows
SPC Luis Mendez - I agree I've done it all my life volunteer fire and rescue vehicle extraction on top of military service I just used my training not heroics
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No it is a blanketed term that should only be applied to men and women who do great deeds for their fellow man. Audie Murphy was a hero. I am no comparison to the legend Chris Kyle, or Marcus Lutrell. Hell even General Patton. I thank people for their support, but unless you have some serious chest candy, advise people to not use that term.
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No, I hate it. The hyperbole Americans use daily drives me insane. No, losing your engines and ditching isn't a miracle, it's skill and luck. Losing your engines and continuing to fly? THAT'S a miracle. Flying missions against enemies that don't have an IADS or AF? It's not heroic.
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Lt Col John Tringali
SPC Luis Mendez - Integrated air defense system. Basically, we fly against an enemy that really can't do anything about it, and keep giving ourselves medals and awards for "combat time" even though there is less danger in the combat zones than there is flying low level training with a new student. No fixed wing jets have been shot down by the Taliban.
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SPC Luis Mendez
Lt Col John Tringali - Interesting, thanks for the Info! I'm guessing you're Air Force. I agree, the US since Korea is been fighting 3rd world, rag tag guerrillas made up mostly of malnourished, undertrained, under equipped, stoned, drugged and mostly illiterate, except for those who grew up in the west.
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I was a barber (SH3) in the Navy. By no stretch of the imagination does that make me a hero. My dad on the other hand, who was a hippie, drug dealing, protester, in the 60's has saved a life on more than one occasion. Once, even earning a key to the city and an award from the state of KY for his heroic action in saving a girls life in a serious car accident he was involved in. To me, he is much more of a hero than I have ever had an opportunity to be.
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Absolutely not, I hate it. I've done what any of our colleagues would have done if put in the same situation and had been the primary responding element as fate would have it. I am no better than any other Warrior with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star
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