Stop calling Soldiers heroes. It stops us from seeing them as human.

2014-07-27T14:49:33-04:00

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/20/stop_calling_soldiers_heroes_it_stops_us_from_seeing_them_as_human_and_dismisses_their_experience/ersonally, being branded with this tag makes me uncomfortable because I know myself and my flaws. I feel like I need to live up to an unrealistic expectation. Even my girlfriend is guilty of doing it sometimes. I've told her that I appreciate that shes proud of me and what I, and the rest of us in uniform, do, but that it makes me feel like I'm on a pedestal that I don't deserve to be on.

Thoughts on this?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 2:52 PM

2014-07-27T14:52:47-04:00

I know I'm not a hero but I do believe there are some in the military who can truly be called that especially those who have received the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross or Silver Star.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Jul 27 at 2014 3:13 PM

2014-07-27T15:13:36-04:00

I know how you feel as I don't consider myself a hero. I also know we as service members know the truth about our brothers and sisters in arms, good, bad and ugly.

But try telling a civilian we aren't heroes and Lord help ya lol.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 3:56 PM

2014-07-27T15:56:14-04:00

SGT Barrie,

Every person, including our heros, has some personal good, bad, and ugly characteristics.

That said, anyone, draftee or volunteer, who takes the oath, picks up or crews a weapon, stands their post, advances and attacks any armed enemy forces, penetrates a live fire zone, and/or is otherwise exposed to substantial risk of injury/death in order to gather intelligence, target our enemies, and/or protect our troops, civilians, and/or allies is my hero. In particular, anyone wounded or killed while in action or protecting others is my hero. Self sacrifice is heroism to me.

While I appreciate honorable brave actions behind many awards, some awards are too political.

I personally believe in action. To quote Gladiator (2000) "What we do in life, echoes in eternity"

Warmest Regards, Sandy

. . . . . . . . . .

Maximus: Five thousand of my men are out there in the freezing mud. Three thousand of them are bloodied and cleaved. Two thousand will never leave this place. I will not believe that they fought and died for nothing.

Marcus Aurelius: And what would you believe?

Maximus: They fought for you and for Rome.

Marcus Aurelius: And what is Rome, Maximus?

Maximus: I've seen much of the rest of the world. It is brutal, cruel and dark, Rome is the light.

Marcus Aurelius: Yet you have never been there. You have not seen what it has become. I am dying, Maximus. When a man sees his end... he wants to know there was some purpose to his life. How will the world speak my name in years to come? Will I be known as the philosopher? The warrior? The tyrant? Or will I be the emperor who gave Rome back her true self? There was once a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish... it was so fragile. And I fear that it will not survive the winter. Maximus, let us whisper now, together you and I.

Marcus Aurelius: When was the last time you were home?

Maximus: Two years, two hundred and sixty-four days and this morning.

Marcus Aurelius: There is one more duty that I ask of you before you go home.

Maximus: What would you have me do Caesar?

Marcus Aurelius: I want you to become the protector of Rome after I die. I will empower you to one end alone, to give power back to the people of Rome and end the corruption that has crippled it.

[Maximus looks amazed and sad]

Marcus Aurelius: Do you accept this great honor that I have offered you?

Maximus: With all my heart, no.

Marcus Aurelius: Maximus, that is why it must be you.

. . . . . . . . . .

Commodus: Why doesn't the hero reveal himself and tell us all your real name?

Maximus: My name is Gladiator. [turns away from Commodus]

Commodus: How dare you show your back to me! Slave, you will remove your helmet and tell me your name.

Maximus: My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.

[Commodus trembles in disbelief]

Quintus: Arms!

[Praetorians point their spears at the gladiators while the Colosseum crowd chants for them to live. Commodus shakes his head and motions the crowd for silence. He then raises his fist and reluctantly gives the thumbs-up signal]

. . . . . . . . . .

Lucilla: Today I saw a slave become more powerful than the Emperor of Rome.

. . . . . . . . . .

[ After fighting and killing the Emperor Commodus in the Coliseum, as Maximus lays dying . . . . ]

Quintus: Maximus, what are your orders?

Maximum: Quintus, free my men, Senator Gracchus is to be reinstated. There was a dream that was Rome. It shall be realized. These are the wishes of Marcus Aurelius.

Lucilla: Is Rome worth one good man's life? We believed it once. Make us believe it again. He was a soldier of Rome. Honor him.

Gracchus: Who will help me carry him?

[Gladiators and Senators surround Maximus to carry him out of the arena . . . .]

Juba (burying Maximus' two small statues of his wife and son in the dirt of the Colosseum where he had died): Now we are free. I will see you again, but not yet. Not yet.

. . . . . . . . . .

Response by SGT Steve Oakes made Jul 27 at 2014 4:22 PM

2014-07-27T16:22:07-04:00

I agree we are not all heroes. Although I think we deserve the title more than these professional ball players everyone keeps calling hero.
When someone calls me a hero I tell them politely that I am not. I tell them if you want to see a hero. Go to a cemetery and look for a flag next to a grave. Go to you local police or fire station and look at the memorial wall. Go to the local VA hospital and see the combat wounded still fighting their wounds. these places and more are were heroes are found. I am just a man that served my country and made it home in one piece.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 5:08 PM

2014-07-27T17:08:45-04:00

Being a hero is in the eye of the beholder. You can't tell someone to stop calling you a hero because you don't feel like one. They will continue to call you a hero because of how they feel and how they perceive you, or in this instance how they perceive men and women in uniform. There is lots of different criteria for being hero and they can be unique or uniform depending on the individual. However, for better or worse, a lot of civilians realize that you are in the 1-2% of our citizenry that are voluntarily protecting our country and its people.

Regardless, there is no heroic standard that one must try to live up too because you are already meeting the standard that individual placed on heroism and it is serving our country. Just keep doing what you are doing to the best of your ability and carry on.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Jul 27 at 2014 5:36 PM

2014-07-27T17:36:31-04:00

I've said this before, I work/worked with Heroes. I do not consider myself as one. I get embarrassed when someone thanks me for my service and don't know how to respond. I don't think I will get over that. I enjoyed what I did and worked with some of the finest people I have ever met (see first sentence).

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Jul 27 at 2014 6:02 PM

2014-07-27T18:02:35-04:00

I have been out for 23 years, and I still am being called a hero. While I may or may not do heroic things in real life, being called a hero is still embarrassing to me. When I save someone's life on the street, give solid advice or helping hundreds of people during a fire (mind you, I don't hold the qualifications), while it feels good to be appreciated, I only do those things because I can stay calm in situations like that and it was the right thing to do at the time. But for crying out loud, I am no hero!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 6:33 PM

2014-07-27T18:33:17-04:00

The Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen are a much better representation of what a hero should be for our young children to emulate and look up to. They are much better examples then those they watch on TV. Examples like CPO Christopher "Chris" Kyle USN, Sergeant Dakota Meyer USMC, Specialist Ty M. Carter USA, Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy USN, Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts USA, Lance Corporal William Kyle Carpenter USMC, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor USN, 1st LT Thomas J. Cahill, Jr. USAF. I could go for ever but these men are our heroes. And I thank god our country has these men and women who go above and beyond what anyone should have to. So if people want to associate our men and women in the military as heroes then I say so be it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 11:17 PM

2014-07-27T23:17:09-04:00

I am a hero. I have been called many names but this is one I am proud. In our generation our youth idolize sport stars or celebrities and call them heroes. They are heroes for insignificant acts such as making a hoop or signing a song about some social issue. Our business elite do not care about this country or its principles and only care money. Our politicians only want votes and power while they ignore the real issues.

It is an realistic burden that I shall bear. When a youth needs an hero to up too I would whether have them look to a soldier than Snoop Dog or Kim Kardashion.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Jul 28 at 2014 6:44 AM

2014-07-28T06:44:58-04:00

The best thing my daughter asked me one day was. Daddy, why do celebrities and athletes make so much money, when there are military people out there that give their lives for less money. Military people should be paid more. I felt so much pride in her that day.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 28 at 2014 4:45 PM

2014-07-28T16:45:35-04:00

I don't think any of us would really call ourselves a "hero". We just did our job and did it well. We are the ones that made it home and now we have the obligation to live to bring honor to our brothers and sisters-in-arms who were not so lucky. Those are the true heroes. While the general public will forever give us labels like that, I think that we; the insiders, know and respect the truth. We are just a group of people that at one point in our lives stood up and handed a check to Uncle Sam made out to the amount of our lives. Thankfully, for those of us here now, those checks were never cashed.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 28 at 2014 6:40 PM

2014-07-28T18:40:17-04:00

I thnk the issue isn't so much people not seeing us as merely "human" but it encourages fakers who want the accolades either for self advancement or because they like the esteem.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 28 at 2014 6:53 PM

2014-07-28T18:53:10-04:00

I am a US Service Member. I was taught to do tough job under difficult circumstances, nothing more, nothing less. Out of our ranks, occasionally, some rise to heat of the moment to give all they have under the most severe of conditions. These folks are heroes. There are others, many others who wear different uniforms sometimes none at all, civil servants, fireman , policemen, everyday men and women who have also shown courage and risen to the moment to be called heroes.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Jul 29 at 2014 1:02 AM

2014-07-29T01:02:33-04:00

I do not now, nor have I ever considered myself to be a hero. In response to being called one I simply respond that I myself am not a hero, but I served with many, sadly they are no longer with us. Thank you for your recognition, and support of our soldiers, sailors, airmen/women, marines and the coast guard.

Response by SGT Aaron Dumbrow made Jul 29 at 2014 1:14 AM

2014-07-29T01:14:27-04:00

I think this is interesting, I agree, I am no hero, I just showed up and did my job. To be honest I wasn't very good at it until I pinned on my stripes. That was when it finally occurred to me that just getting by wasn't enough, and by then it was too late for me, I was on my way out.

Honestly I get embarrassed when I am recognized for my time. Certainly there are heros in the military, and to some extent I do believe everyone who serves is a hero, but the true heros always seem to feel like they were doing what had to be done, what anyone would have done.

It takes a special kind of person to be a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine. There are things I can never share with anyone else who wasn't with us, there are memories I wish I could give up, but truly I am grateful that I was counted worthy to serve my country, and I wish those who haven't served could understand what it meant for me, and how much better a man I am today because I was a soldier.

Heros might be a matter or perspective, but I just feel like I was lucky to have served, and will never forget the amazing experience.

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made Jul 29 at 2014 6:41 AM

2014-07-29T06:41:28-04:00

I am from a small rural community and everyone knows everyone, it's not so bad with the hero stuff around here because you can't throw a rock without passing over one or two before hitting another prior service member. But, I have stopped wearing anything that indicates that I was ever in the military when I travel because it will inevitably draw folks out to shake hands and thank me for my service and being a hero. I do really appreciate the sentiment, but am very uncomfortable with the recognition.
I have been a Police Officer, EMT and fireman as well as a HAZMAT Technician walking into the Methyl-Ethyl bad shit, I am no hero, just a guy that likes the adrenalin rush of a fun job.

Response by SSG William Patton made Jul 29 at 2014 12:19 PM

2014-07-29T12:19:24-04:00

Just because a man or woman have flaws does not lessen their sacrifices or accomplishment as members of the military sent by our nation to fight our wars. My experience from Vietnam was far from being treated humanely or even as a human. Our heroes were spat upon and called names and many took off the uniform of our nation to avoid our fellow citizens demonizing us. I have not problem referring to our serving members in the military as heroes. It does not lessen who they are or what they have done, even if they never heard a shot fired in anger. Serving this nation when called is deserving of the title, "hero", more so than some football player calling themselve a warrior. They would not make a pimple on a warrior's ass.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2014 3:59 PM

2014-07-29T15:59:15-04:00

Heroes need not be perfect, sometimes they only must be what is needed.

Not wanting to be called a hero is fine. Just remember that there are a LOT of people who need or want someone to look up to. I would rather the youth of this generation consider you a hero than a professional athlete, or a rockstar.

This is an excellent chance to influence someone for the better, while you are not perfect, if you strive to become what you feel is a person more worthy of the title, then the people who alrealy consider you one will learn more from your example, and seek to emulate that. This may not apply to your girlfriend, who likely calls you a hero in an attempt to build you up and make you more confident, but take being called a "hero" and replace it in your mind with "role model" and see if it changes the way you act and feel about yourself. You may not feel like you are role model material, but someone might, and they might be depending on you.

Response by SGT Mitch McKinley made Jul 30 at 2014 12:49 PM

2014-07-30T12:49:53-04:00

It takes a special type of person to put on the uniform and do what we have all done. Less than 1% (.6) of the current US population are currently serving in an active or reserve component.
Is that heroic? That is debatable.

But to quote a line from A Few Good Men: "they stand upon a wall and say, Nothing's going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch."

Response by CDR Soraya Villacis made Aug 6 at 2014 3:38 PM

2014-08-06T15:38:36-04:00

I like to think that those brothers and sisters that gave their lives in the line of duty are heroes. Other than that, we are just doing a job that many don't want to do.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Aug 19 at 2014 9:53 PM

2014-08-19T21:53:35-04:00

Many Americans will view military service members as "heroes" because its been associated that way for generations. Most Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen will say that the heroes are the ones who sacrificed their lives during combat. Then again, some Soldiers in the eyes of many truly are heroes for saving their lives in combat throughout recent and past history. I want to say that the vast majority of service members don't want to be called heroes. Everyone has their own opinion on this topic. For me, I am just a soldier.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 20 at 2014 8:23 PM

2014-08-20T20:23:03-04:00

When it applies to overpaid athletes, yes. What is so heroic about a person who makes thousands of dollars for a time at bat, a minute on the field or court? They sacrifice their bodies for their own gain while we pay exorbitant prices to watch them in person.

My heroes (other than the military) - folks who rush into burning buildings or swim into rip tides or wade flooded streets to help save others in trouble while making far less pay than they are worth.

Response by PO1 Michael G. made Aug 20 at 2014 9:22 PM

2014-08-20T21:22:28-04:00

I understand the writer's point, but I feel like maybe he's missing something. I grew up in a Navy family, so I've been around military my whole life; even after my dad retired from active duty 10 years ago, we moved to a town about ten minutes away from RTC Great Lakes, where he now works, so we were in a military area still. What I think a lot of people forget is that it's not the norm for a lot of folks out there; they don't have a lot of contact with military personnel or veterans, so when they do have that chance, they'll make a point of saying "Thank you" to them. My mother, a veteran herself and a former ombudsman, commented after my boot camp graduation that she finds the statistic that 1% of Americans serve in the military to be almost unbelievable to her. After all, she was a Sailor, her husband was a Sailor (a Master Chief, no less) one of her sons is a Marine sergeant, the other is a Sailor now, her dad was an Air Force Technical Sergeant (and a decorated combat veteran), and seven of her eight siblings-in-law were all sailors. For her, she knows to be able to distinguish between someone like Kyle Carpenter and someone like me; CPL Carpenter is a hero in the truest sense, I'm a technical school student. He and I have very different military experiences, and the writer is correct: not every civilian really understands that.

People have thanked me for my service and used the word "hero" in the last five months since I reported to basic training. However, I don't think it's really because civilians are too stupid to know the difference between me (I've basically been out of boot camp since breakfast) and a combat veteran. It's more that a lot of people don't get a lot of interaction with military and with veterans, so seeing me in uniform and thanking me is the only opportunity that they may have to express their gratitude. Most people won't be able to actually thank CPL Carpenter in person.

As a prospective electronics technician, no, I probably won't be faced with the same sort of challenges that CPL Carpenter was. But, when I put on my uniform and someone stops me to say "Thank you," I know that they're really thanking the countless men and woman who did give their lives for our country. And I'll be that stand-in for those who can't be there to receive those thanks in person.