What does the word valor mean to you?

Valor means honor and integrity

Valor is simply facing down fear, either real or imagined. For example, since the day I was shot during a chopper hoist mission in Viêt Nam, I have a dreadful fear of uncontrollable pain, like that which took control of my body that afternoon 50 plus years ago. In the decades since I frequently have vicious nightmares in which I am completely alone in agonizing pain. The potency of these dreams often cause crippling ghost pains to persist throughout the following day. The regularity and extent of these episodes often lead to unmitigated dread of falling asleep nights. This fear is based on entirely imaginary pain, yet the fear itself is real. Were I a man of valor I might well come to terms with these figments of my own manufacture, and thereby perhaps find some measure of rational resolution, once and for all. Instead, devoid of valor, my irrational fear is a force that can easily take control over reality. Oh what I would not give for a healthy dose of a true hero’s valor.

It means selflessness. It means knowing that the cause you are standing for is greater than you. A selfish person isn't inclined towards valor. Selfishness breeds the opposite of valor. I feel this is why when you hear people that were close to a hero tell what kind of person they were, they almost without fail tell of what a good person they were. Valor is a spiritual principle and spiritual principles feed each other.

Courage in the face of adversity.

Modern Coast Guardsmen don’t see much battle, but that doesn’t mean that they lack courage while facing danger. I was a Damage Controlman in the Coast Guard. We wore red caps aboard ships when the rest of the crew wore blue. That is because the Damage Controlman (DC) we’re the people who’s job it was to save the ship during a sinking or fire emergency. We were the ones that put out the fires or patched the hull of a sinking ship. Often in the middle of a cold, dark, rough and unforgiving ocean.

VALOR to me means to have served with Honor .

Honor and respecting the military

Valor....a small word to encompass so much depth of meaning. Bravery and courage could be all a person need display to be said to have acted with Valor. Our soldiers display so much more however, acting with integrity and honor as well as loyalty, duty, respect and selfless service. Everyday any soldier or veteran, if called upon has the makings of greatness instilled within from their service to this great country.

Valor means courageously standing next to your brother/sister in arms whether it's a physical battle or a mental battle.

Valor to me is a servicemember that shows great courage in the face of danger. MOH, DSC, SS and BS recipients are examples and I am sure there are many others that have gone unrecognized or unnoticed. When serving in the military we truly walk among many heroes.