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I know some of us has been called a "Hero" from time to time, either from civilians or other military veterans. But what makes a person a "Hero"? Does just serving make you one, a type of medal or citation, dying even? I personally hate being called one because I served by choice and even though i was injured in combat, i volunteered for it! Plain and simple. I really don't have an opinion about others, only myself. So what do you think? What makes a "Zero" become a "Hero"?
Posted in these groups: 
Heroes
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
Operation New Dawn (OND)
Service
Heroes Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan Operation New Dawn (OND) Service
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 74
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A hero does things for selfless service not monetary reward. They look beyond themselves so they can give of themselves.
We see Heroes every day, they do not need to be the Policeperson, Soldier, or Fireperson, they are that kid who rescued the cat from a tree or the person holding the store door open for someone to get through.
We see Heroes every day conducting acts of kindness in everyway.
We see Heroes every day, they do not need to be the Policeperson, Soldier, or Fireperson, they are that kid who rescued the cat from a tree or the person holding the store door open for someone to get through.
We see Heroes every day conducting acts of kindness in everyway.
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SGT Felicia King
Exactly. Heroes come in every day occurrences by people just trying to make a difference. Not thinking of themselves, but rather other people. Sacrifice with humility.
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TSgt Chip Dollason
A single parent raising good kids working two jobs and not on welfare! Nobody plans to be a hero. Sometimes the situation and a persons actions, just dictates that outcome.
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SFC Joseph James, you've received many excellent answers, so I won't add further. However, I've always liked this from Richard Winters, WWII hero of the 101st Airborne Division, depicted in "Band of Brothers" by Damian Lewis. Winters quoted a passage from a letter he received from Sergeant Mike Ranney, "I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said, 'Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' Grandpa said 'No...but I served in a company of heroes'." (U.S. Army photo)
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SSgt (Join to see)
LTC Stephen C. Major Winters was a good leader for a reason and heroism is a byproduct of diligence.
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SFC (Join to see)
Maj. Dick Winters is an outstanding leader who exemplified the essence of being a true Soldier and was among a group of Hero's who lived and died for each other.
Maj. Dick Winters Leadership at the point of the Bayonet
1.) Strive to be a leader of character, competence, and courage
2.)Lead from the front. Say, “Follow me!” and then lead the way.
3.) Stay in top physical shape - physical stamina is the root of mental toughness.
4.) Develop your team. If you know your people, are fair in setting realistic goals and expectations, and lead by example, you will develop teamwork.
5.)Delegate responsibility to your subordinates and let them do their job. You can’t do a good job if you don’t have a chance to use your imagination and creativity.
6.)Anticipate problems and prepare to overcome obstacles. Don’t wait until you get to the top of the ridge and then make up your mind.
7.)Remain humble. Don’t worry about who receives the credit. Never let power or authority go to your head.
8.)Take a moment of self-reflection. Look at yourself in the mirror every night and ask yourself if you did your best.
9.)True satisfaction comes from getting the job done. They key to a successful leader is to earn respect - not because of rank or position, but because you are a leader of character.
10.)Hang Tough! -Â Never, ever, give up
Maj. Dick Winters Leadership at the point of the Bayonet
1.) Strive to be a leader of character, competence, and courage
2.)Lead from the front. Say, “Follow me!” and then lead the way.
3.) Stay in top physical shape - physical stamina is the root of mental toughness.
4.) Develop your team. If you know your people, are fair in setting realistic goals and expectations, and lead by example, you will develop teamwork.
5.)Delegate responsibility to your subordinates and let them do their job. You can’t do a good job if you don’t have a chance to use your imagination and creativity.
6.)Anticipate problems and prepare to overcome obstacles. Don’t wait until you get to the top of the ridge and then make up your mind.
7.)Remain humble. Don’t worry about who receives the credit. Never let power or authority go to your head.
8.)Take a moment of self-reflection. Look at yourself in the mirror every night and ask yourself if you did your best.
9.)True satisfaction comes from getting the job done. They key to a successful leader is to earn respect - not because of rank or position, but because you are a leader of character.
10.)Hang Tough! -Â Never, ever, give up
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I think the "why" is actually captured in your question.
You volunteered.
That's a big deal. Considering how long these wars have dragged on, and it quickly becomes clear tat most of today's military joined - VOLUNTEERED - after the wars had started. They had not joined a peacetime Army where combat experience was the rarity and not the norm (and in no way does that belittle or diminish our comrades who stood watch on the wall and had no combat).
You and all of the rest knew the risks, and yet... you did not shirk it.
You could have chosen any path. Many of which are no less honorable.
Hero is also in the perception of the grateful, not the honored. When they look and say, "Wow, I never could have done that," or more likely, "Thank goodness for you so I didn't HAVE to do that!"
The praise is what it is, whatever the origin. It may seem to us oversaid, but that's because we are the small focus of a grateful people who often know no other way to express it than to say, "thank you" or to buy a meal.
It could be far worse. They could not acknowledge it at all.
You volunteered.
That's a big deal. Considering how long these wars have dragged on, and it quickly becomes clear tat most of today's military joined - VOLUNTEERED - after the wars had started. They had not joined a peacetime Army where combat experience was the rarity and not the norm (and in no way does that belittle or diminish our comrades who stood watch on the wall and had no combat).
You and all of the rest knew the risks, and yet... you did not shirk it.
You could have chosen any path. Many of which are no less honorable.
Hero is also in the perception of the grateful, not the honored. When they look and say, "Wow, I never could have done that," or more likely, "Thank goodness for you so I didn't HAVE to do that!"
The praise is what it is, whatever the origin. It may seem to us oversaid, but that's because we are the small focus of a grateful people who often know no other way to express it than to say, "thank you" or to buy a meal.
It could be far worse. They could not acknowledge it at all.
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CPL Jay Freeman
I don't want to take anything away but even volunteering during war time doesn't make a person a hero it's the job you pick there are many jobs that do not face the same dangers day in and day out the other would be reason for joining
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SFC Joseph James
CPL Jay Freeman first off... Love the last name! When i joined in 2000 it was more or less peace time. A lot of guys lost their minds when 9-11-01 happened because they only joined for college. I saw it as an opportunity to serve my country when she was in the most need. I saw many good men and women stay in and head that call, but when the first group of " After 9-11" came in.... mind blown!!! They served only for the country, not for themselves. Wow, the Army went Night to Day in less than a year. We went from a defensive Army ( I was a 13F that trained to fight against Cold War "enemies"! lol to an Offensive Army. SSG Alleria Stanley you brought an amazing insight and thank you all for your comments!
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MSgt Manuel Diaz
Volunteer has nothing to do with being a hero, draftees did heroic deeds also, it has to do with human reaction when the shit hits the fan, do your job plus whatever needs doing with what you have and hopefully survive even if no one wrote you up.
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Heroes to me are those who have served and come home to a country that spits on them, and otherwise marginalizes their service. Heroes are those who while serving in combat lay down their lives for their brothers and sisters that they may make it home. Heroes are the people who step up and do a job that the vast majority (99%) will not do for whatever reason.
These people are my heroes.
These people are my heroes.
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SPC Charles Brown
Thank you SFC Joseph James. I was just a simple soldier doing a simple soldiers job. Me, I am not a hero. Thank you for your service.
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SSG (Join to see)
A hero in my book is my great,great,great grandfather that fought in the Civil War and my grandfather that fought in the big one WWII. Also, a hero is one that has valor, integrity,honor and loyalty. The reason why I joined the Armed Forces, because it my patriotic duty.
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A hero is someone who does things that others want to emulate.
My little girl calls her daddy her hero. I can't think of anything I would rather aspire to, than to have her look up to me and want to be just like her hero.
I hope I never let her down.
My little girl calls her daddy her hero. I can't think of anything I would rather aspire to, than to have her look up to me and want to be just like her hero.
I hope I never let her down.
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SFC Joseph James
I understand that perfectly. I have the three girls that do the same. I have a photo of them wearing my "Bus Driver" hat and saluting. It means allot to me. Thanks 1SG (Join to see) for your comment!
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The word Hero is used and abused like a cheap prostitute. I think a hero is someone who puts their life in danger to save someone else's life even if it is a complete stranger. I don't by any means think that putting on the uniform makes you a hero.
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SFC Joseph James
Great point Cpl Justin Sowell! I think the same for myself. I have done much for my country, but i think that if i ever called myself that it would be self-inflating and insincere. People who are "Heroes" should be called it, not self-labeled! Thanks for you comment brother!
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I think it would be determined by the person calling you "hero." My father was my hero. He was a Korean War vet. He served honorably but just did his job. To me he was Superman, Batman, Aquaman, and Hulk all rolled into one.
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SFC Joseph James
That truly was a Great Generation! My Grandfather was a Navy Seabee in WW2. Was building and repairing runways in the South Seas while the Japanese bombed them! Amazing patriots they all were! Thanks PO1 (Join to see) for talking about your father!
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SFC Joseph James, I think a hero is a person that is able to have the courage to do something or sacrifice more than the one calling them a hero. Here is my reasoning. Superman is super strong on the earth but average strength on krypton.
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SFC Joseph James
Any time SSG Dwight Amey MSA, MSL, BS, AS you can bring Superman in a conversation it has gone from good to Awesome! I agree with you by the way! Thanks brother!
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A hero is an embodiment of the ideal. Both the good and the bad. He or she is what we strive to be.
Heroes AREN'T perfect. Heroes are flawed. Heroes stumble. They face adversity. Anyone who isn't challenged whether it be physically, mentally, morally, or ethically will never really be a hero. They may be great, but not heroes.
They overcome. They defeat.
Go back to literary heroes, and you will see how flawed they are. Whether it is pride, anger, or any of the other classic sins. Go back to our historical heroes, like our Medal of Honor Recipients and you will see they were challenged at every turn.
If you were to ask Meyers, Carpenter, Giunta, or Carter if they are heroes, they would likely be uncomfortable with the question.
Heroes AREN'T perfect. Heroes are flawed. Heroes stumble. They face adversity. Anyone who isn't challenged whether it be physically, mentally, morally, or ethically will never really be a hero. They may be great, but not heroes.
They overcome. They defeat.
Go back to literary heroes, and you will see how flawed they are. Whether it is pride, anger, or any of the other classic sins. Go back to our historical heroes, like our Medal of Honor Recipients and you will see they were challenged at every turn.
If you were to ask Meyers, Carpenter, Giunta, or Carter if they are heroes, they would likely be uncomfortable with the question.
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Everyone has there own difinition of heroes I was in the army as a scout for 6 years and in the civilian world I became a volunteer firefight and emt I think anyone who has the courage / stupidity to run towards something that everyone ells is running from is a hero. Do I think everyone who has signed up for the military is? No I do not they have less dangerous jobs then getting shot at day by day. I don't want to put anyone M.O.S down but the infintre and combat M.O.S are heroes everyday they get up in a combat zone and regardless the loss of the day before they go back out and do it again so if you have a truly dangerous job and can face doing it day and day aging then you are. Quote from John Wayne Courage is being scared and saddling up anyway
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