What would you say if someone asked you if you were a war hero?

2018-09-17T05:36:54-04:00

Also, what do you think when you hear, or hear about, someone else claiming that they are a war hero? You know, the guys who have the long, elaborate war stories that put Hollywood to shame.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 5:39 AM

2018-09-17T05:39:19-04:00

The true heroes are buried on the battlefield or Arlington.

Response by SGT James Hinch made Sep 17 at 2018 5:40 AM

2018-09-17T05:40:46-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs,SGT Private RallyPoint Member,TSgt David L.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Sep 17 at 2018 5:53 AM

2018-09-17T05:53:35-04:00

The real ones rarely brag.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 17 at 2018 5:54 AM

2018-09-17T05:54:23-04:00

No! Those who fight are Warriors, those who sacrifice their lives in action are Heroes! Just my opinion. Thank you for your service.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Sep 17 at 2018 6:02 AM

2018-09-17T06:02:50-04:00

SGT James Hinch I served in the Navy for twenty years. Served with a lot of great men. There were some corpsman at El Toro that were great warriors. Some of them and a couple of the doctors came pretty close.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Sep 17 at 2018 6:04 AM

2018-09-17T06:04:20-04:00

SGT James Hinch A kamikaze pilot who flys 50 missions is involved but not committed.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 6:25 AM

2018-09-17T06:25:04-04:00

No, most people asked were you in Iraq or Afghanistan I say yeah, and leave it at that. They say thank you and I move the topic on or just try to stay away from it. I did have one woman after she heard where I had deployed say your a hearo, I told her I just did my job the hearos are the ones that did not come home.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 17 at 2018 6:53 AM

2018-09-17T06:53:00-04:00

Say no, obviously....

Response by MSG Greg Kelly made Sep 17 at 2018 6:57 AM

2018-09-17T06:57:01-04:00

There is no good response meaning I am sure you felt uncomfortable. I was when presented with the same type of issue. I found the best response was from a book or movie don't recall which.
No. I'm no Hero but I served with a few. But thank you. Or do what seems best I am sure you will give a good response.

Response by SGT James Hinch made Sep 17 at 2018 6:57 AM

2018-09-17T06:57:49-04:00

Great responses guys. I’m working on a music project that centers around this same idea and I love getting a lot of different perspectives.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 7:08 AM

2018-09-17T07:08:43-04:00

Nope. I had a job to do and I did it. Granted I wasn’t a door kicker or anything like that. The only “war story” I usually tell involves an ill timed fiber supplement and a long run without portapotties around.

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made Sep 17 at 2018 7:24 AM

2018-09-17T07:24:50-04:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL4kyHfSkPI

Brian Regan - All By Myself (4. Pirates & Pilots)

NEW Brian Regan 2011

Response by MSgt George Cater made Sep 17 at 2018 7:34 AM

2018-09-17T07:34:28-04:00

Answer “No”.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 9:14 AM

2018-09-17T09:14:31-04:00

Stories don't make the hero, actions do. The true heroes are in Valhalla.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 17 at 2018 9:24 AM

2018-09-17T09:24:27-04:00

No! I'm going to catch hell, but I don't see "Hero's" except in basic. No one wants to be the "Hero". I next see "Hero's" in Bonnie Tyler's hit "I need a Hero". In uniform I see peers. Men and women who came, saw, kicked someone's or something's ass, while sending a "thank you for participating" email ending in various calibers, pounds, or MM's. I'm in "awe" of no one male or female in uniform. I respect all, and am thankful we have people who would fight for the greater good.

"The "long" war story? When did we get half a million "Lone Survivors"? If I hear that, it's time to walk away.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Sep 17 at 2018 9:31 AM

2018-09-17T09:31:29-04:00

I would just laugh and laugh,my Heros reside on a black granite Wall in Washington D.C.

Response by LTC John Griscom made Sep 17 at 2018 9:35 AM

2018-09-17T09:35:30-04:00

I consider myself an attendee who just happened to be there and got a ribbon.

Response by Patricia Overmeyer made Sep 17 at 2018 11:30 AM

2018-09-17T11:30:29-04:00

My husband will tell you he isn't a hero, he's just a grunt who did his job. Heroes are those who are buried or those whose jobs did not demand they go into harm's way, but they did it anyway.
In my experience, the more they saw of combat, the less they talk about it. Once at the VFW in Peoria, IL. my husband had brought in his DD214 to sign up for the VFW and for me to sign up for the Auxiliary. There were a couple of braggarts there, both Marines, who demanded to see his DD214 just to see what he had seen. As they liked to say, only Marines had walked the walk in Nam unlike the Army (my husband's branch). And they were always bragging about whatever battle, blah, blah, blah. Soooo annoying. He let them see it. I had to stifle a laugh when I watched the expressions on their faces turn to amazement and their jaws dropped when they started reading the citations (which ran onto a second page). They never talked about their "war hero" experiences near him or I again.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 17 at 2018 11:39 AM

2018-09-17T11:39:27-04:00

My answer is always no. I generally don't talk to those who would make such a claim.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 12:31 PM

2018-09-17T12:31:15-04:00

"Heroes are victims of circumstance. In that moment, they long to be honest cowards." - Umberto Eco

Response by SGT Jason Murphy made Sep 17 at 2018 1:01 PM

2018-09-17T13:01:15-04:00

I would tell them no. Despite serving 20 years active duty and deploying to numerous combat theaters, I never got hit with an IED. In conclusion, I don’t like taking credit where credit is due.

Response by SGT Lou Meza made Sep 17 at 2018 1:31 PM

2018-09-17T13:31:34-04:00

No , I am not a war hero but I did have the honor and privilege of walking beside a few .

Response by CPO Larry Cox made Sep 17 at 2018 1:48 PM

2018-09-17T13:48:56-04:00

I never say "I'm a hero". I just did what needed to get done to insure me and all my guys came home. What asked, I say " No, the hero's are my brothers that didn't make it home"

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Sep 17 at 2018 3:40 PM

2018-09-17T15:40:19-04:00

That would make me cringe as much as when people thank me for my service. I would probably say, "Thanks, but I'm not a hero."

Response by TSgt David L. made Sep 17 at 2018 3:53 PM

2018-09-17T15:53:31-04:00

I'm not a Hero, but I've had the honor to have known a few. Most Heroes don't readily talk about what they've done.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Sep 17 at 2018 4:10 PM

2018-09-17T16:10:05-04:00

I always thought this was a great quite!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=loDtq7E0Lk8

Oddball weird sandwich

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 17 at 2018 5:09 PM

2018-09-17T17:09:21-04:00

SGT James Hinch Nope, No and Hell No, I'm the Village Idiot that was Never Bright Enough to Say "No". I was the Forrest Gump of Navy Intelligence, Shit Just always happened to Go South while I was On Duty and I had to Sort Thru It.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 5:28 PM

2018-09-17T17:28:55-04:00

What would I say, if asked?
No, but I have the privilege of taking care of them.

And as far as what do I think when folks claim to be heroes?
I think of Medal of Honor recipient, MSG William J Crawford. Who was, after retirement, a janitor at the Air Force Academy.

Response by SFC Jason Evans made Sep 17 at 2018 5:29 PM

2018-09-17T17:29:14-04:00

I would say no

Response by CPT Jeff Reichardt made Sep 17 at 2018 5:38 PM

2018-09-17T17:38:21-04:00

When asked I say I was just a cook.

Actually I was a medic before I became a nurse, but the cook line shuts most people up.

Response by SSG Timothy Stevenson made Sep 17 at 2018 6:00 PM

2018-09-17T18:00:01-04:00

No but I sure served with a few. RLTW

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 6:24 PM

2018-09-17T18:24:53-04:00

I like to quote William "Wild Bill" Guarnere from Easy Company, 506th PIR when he said "I'm just one part of the big war. That's all. One little part."

Response by Sgt Charles St John made Sep 17 at 2018 6:33 PM

2018-09-17T18:33:53-04:00

In my opinion, the word “Hero” is way over used to the point that it has lost most of its meaning.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Sep 17 at 2018 6:40 PM

2018-09-17T18:40:51-04:00

SGT James Hinch I was an ordinary soldier who did my job.

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Sep 17 at 2018 8:45 PM

2018-09-17T20:45:39-04:00

No but I sure fought with a bunch of them

Response by CWO2 John Markiewicz made Sep 17 at 2018 9:36 PM

2018-09-17T21:36:50-04:00

I am not a hero by any stretch of the imagination, however, I have had the privilege to have known a few. The real heroes who gave everything are unable to talk about it and the few living heroes rarely are willing to talk about it and rarely consider themselves heroes..

Response by SSG Eduardo Ybarra Jr. MS Psyc made Sep 17 at 2018 11:39 PM

2018-09-17T23:39:54-04:00

For those who claim the title hero, more power to them. I know personally the real Hero's are the brothers I've had to bury. I've had people label me as such but I never will accept it. I never earned it I was just lucky to make it home.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2018 12:34 PM

2018-09-18T12:34:25-04:00

Yes, we are all eat hero’s in one way shape or form. Then shake their hand and tell them they are welcome.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 18 at 2018 1:44 PM

2018-09-18T13:44:00-04:00

@SGT James Hinch - I would tell them that I'm not even close. I would say it's been a privledge and honor to serve my country over the last 37 years and in the combat zone as a Logistic Officer and Commander providing support to the War Fighter - period! The real heroes are those who've fought in the trenches, those who've been wounded in combat, and those who've made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their life for this country. That is just my personal opinion!

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Sep 18 at 2018 11:44 PM

2018-09-18T23:44:40-04:00

We didn't go to war to be heroes. We went to do a job that needed doing. I have met some heroes, but I am just a combat tourist.

Response by GySgt William Klein made Sep 19 at 2018 7:25 PM

2018-09-19T19:25:02-04:00

I never believed that I was a hero I was there to do what I was trained to do USMC 65-66

Response by CW4 Angela Birt made Sep 21 at 2018 12:28 PM

2018-09-21T12:28:01-04:00

No, I am not a war hero, but I have served in the company of some. Most heroes don't come home. Just my opinion

Response by CPO Jason Solley made Sep 22 at 2018 1:27 AM

2018-09-22T01:27:29-04:00

I'd say no, most true heroes are dead.

Response by MSG Michael McEleney made Sep 26 at 2018 1:33 AM

2018-09-26T01:33:11-04:00

The longer the story the less reality

Response by Cpl Douglas Loven made Sep 29 at 2018 6:12 AM

2018-09-29T06:12:34-04:00

Response by MSgt Bill McGraw made Sep 29 at 2018 9:52 AM

2018-09-29T09:52:10-04:00

I have never heard a hero brag about their exploits. Anyone who has to continuously make sure everyone knows how brave or courageous he is , is probably not either.

Response by PO1 Don Rowan made Oct 2 at 2018 7:18 AM

2018-10-02T07:18:30-04:00

No.

Response by PO1 Don Rowan made Oct 2 at 2018 7:18 AM

2018-10-02T07:18:51-04:00

No.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Oct 2 at 2018 8:24 AM

2018-10-02T08:24:22-04:00

My daughter knows I went to combat4 times, but really dose she even know what I went through. I'm hero in her eyes. Don't care what other people think. Most of the HEROS are dead.

Response by CPT Kevin Connolly made Oct 2 at 2018 9:19 PM

2018-10-02T21:19:50-04:00

Me? I was no hero, but I served with heroes.

Response by CDR Tom Davy made Oct 3 at 2018 1:01 PM

2018-10-03T13:01:50-04:00

My father, grand father, great grand father, and several other family members are combat vets. None of them ever talked about what happened, even my father who never missed an opportunity to talk about his adventures. My grand father once said "everyone I killed had a mother"
I never really understood until I got back from Afghanistan.
So, no, I'm not a hero and I've never heard a real hero talk about their exploits.

Response by SSG David Forler made Oct 3 at 2018 7:25 PM

2018-10-03T19:25:13-04:00

The HERO'S HAVE HEADSTONES, I was just lucky enough to have been honored to serve with the greatest military, for the Greatest Nation the World has ever known

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Oct 3 at 2018 11:33 PM

2018-10-03T23:33:00-04:00

To steal a line from the movie, Kelly's Heroes, "A hero is some kind of weird sandwich." If someone claims to be a hero, more often than not they are not! That said, the real heroes are the ones who did not come home. A real hero is one who lives now inside a mangled body and brain wracked by the ravages of war. A hero is one who has put his life on the line for his country and asked for nothing in return. A hero is one who knows that regardless of the job, it was done. In a way, that makes all veterans heroes but none of us would admit to it.

Response by SFC Carlos Cruz made Oct 4 at 2018 9:55 AM

2018-10-04T09:55:16-04:00

I will always said the I did my job & change the conversation. I walk away because it will make me feel the he or she need to get a smack down.

Response by SSG David Forler made Oct 4 at 2018 11:20 AM

2018-10-04T11:20:09-04:00

You mean like Senator (DEM) Bluminthal, saying he was a Vietnam Veteran...I think you should be thrown out of the Senate in the most disgraceful, humiliating way

Response by MSgt Jerry Waters made Oct 4 at 2018 9:51 PM

2018-10-04T21:51:03-04:00

No, sent 39 years in and no war hero.

Response by CSM Danny S. made Oct 4 at 2018 10:59 PM

2018-10-04T22:59:39-04:00

In my experience the guys that have really elaborate war stories are just trying to get attention and usually only part of it is true. The guys that actually fall into the hero category rarely talk about it.

Response by SGT George Duncan made Oct 5 at 2018 10:39 PM

2018-10-05T22:39:48-04:00

no more than any other surviver

Response by A1C Gary Williams made Oct 10 at 2018 5:13 AM

2018-10-10T05:13:14-04:00

I was there to do a job, no more, no less, andI did it to the best of my ability. At the end of the day we all wanted to go "home" safe and chill or blow off some steam...we didn't see ourselves as heros, just regular guys out there fighting for what we believe in.
However, I am very happy to see the respect, and show of love n support for those of us that served in combat, from many of our fellow Americans.The real heros are my brothers n sisters that gave their life in the fight to defend Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Just my take...

Response by SSG Clayton Lam made Oct 11 at 2018 2:53 PM

2018-10-11T14:53:51-04:00

I would say that I am not a war hero since in almost every deployment to Iraq, I was a fobit.

Response by SPC Mike Davis made Oct 11 at 2018 3:05 PM

2018-10-11T15:05:03-04:00

The only time I ever mentioned I am a veteran is at Lowes. 10% discount on all supplies. Saved $500.00 remodeling house. Otherwise never mention it. Long time ago in a land far, far away......

Response by Sgt Jesus Rodriguez made Oct 12 at 2018 3:04 PM

2018-10-12T15:04:17-04:00

Most of the real ones go silent without seeking attention. But now a days the term seems to be tagged to individuals doing their jobs. I believe the media is responsible for this trend along with “everyone gets a trophy” mentality that has made kids entitled and dependable on social media feedback.

Response by PVT Chris John made Oct 12 at 2018 4:22 PM

2018-10-12T16:22:40-04:00

First if someone says your a war gero tell them you did what you had to do to live. But then say thank you. Then when you can see someone telling stories and you know they are call them out we earned these stories. Just watch out for rank.

Response by CPT Bob Deissig made Oct 18 at 2018 3:02 PM

2018-10-18T15:02:05-04:00

Saying that the only heroes are those who gave their lives in combat I'd not true, in my opinion. A platoon leader I served with in Vietnam was awarded two DSCs. I would call him a hero. Volunteered for a nonprofit years ago run by the recipient of the MOH. Would call him a hero. And so on.

Response by Daniel McEleney made Oct 20 at 2018 3:24 PM

2018-10-20T15:24:50-04:00

No the one's who suffered the supreme sacrifice are the hero's

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Oct 20 at 2018 4:56 PM

2018-10-20T16:56:39-04:00

I fought in the infantry but I do not consider myself a hero, I am a survivor. My fallen brothers I consider my heros; All 37 of them, B 1/61st Inf Sep 68-69.

Response by 1LT Luke Flowers made Oct 20 at 2018 5:23 PM

2018-10-20T17:23:24-04:00

I would say no I am not. But you know who is? Joshua Williams

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2018 8:44 PM

2018-10-21T20:44:42-04:00

I think hero is over used today. Just because you are in the military, sure as hell doesn't make you a hero. You have to do something 'above and beyond' the call of duty.

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2018 10:31 AM

2018-10-24T10:31:09-04:00

Had a kid once ask me if I was a hero...I told him I wasn't and that the true hero's are those guys who didn't come home alive and we should never forget them because they made the ultimate sacrifice...

Response by FN Shawn Watkins made Oct 24 at 2018 3:21 PM

2018-10-24T15:21:47-04:00

Arlington National is full of heroes, I'm not there.

Response by LTC Ken Connolly made Oct 26 at 2018 10:42 PM

2018-10-26T22:42:00-04:00

I just chuckle. What really upset me is hearing someone spewing classified material trying to impress someone.

Response by SrA Shawna Koller made Oct 30 at 2018 7:12 AM

2018-10-30T07:12:52-04:00

The real war heroes silently endure their pain of war and keep it in their heads.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2018 11:08 PM

2018-11-01T23:08:24-04:00

nope, because I'm alive.

Response by SGT Philip Klein made Nov 4 at 2018 3:30 PM

2018-11-04T15:30:57-05:00

Response by SSG Thomas Gallegos made Nov 5 at 2018 12:37 PM

2018-11-05T12:37:18-05:00

I happened to see one response and for me it nail on the head. I fought and came home, heroes are those brothers and sisters that didn't make it home. I deployed in support of my nation and did as asked while over there. I am no hero, I simply did my job as I signed up to do and reenlisted to do. I steadily listen to stories when they are told and its not to hard to discern what's what.

Response by SSG Thomas Gallegos made Nov 5 at 2018 12:48 PM

2018-11-05T12:48:48-05:00

There was a response saying something about not being a hero as those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice are the real heroes. Me,I just did my job that I enlisted to do and subsequently reenlisted to do over and over.
My usual response and one that I hold steadfast to is that it put a roof over my families head and food on the table.

Response by SFC James Liedtka made Nov 9 at 2018 9:31 AM

2018-11-09T09:31:12-05:00

I would tell them I am a Meat Popsicle.

Response by SGT Tomas "Huey" Husted made Nov 12 at 2018 7:47 PM

2018-11-12T19:47:37-05:00

I would tell them no I was not and am not a war hero. But I would tell them that for 4 years I did my job (19D20) to the very best of my ability. I always tried to max my PT Testing, that I never received a score lower than 90% on my SQT Test. I never quit and I always gave 110%.I never took drugs and I never had a positive urinalysis. I spent 27 months on the East/West German Border. Patrols after patrols. And that I was a member of a great team. That together maybe we all were heroes of different sort. Heroes come in all sorts of types.

Response by SGT Scott Henderson made Nov 14 at 2018 8:40 AM

2018-11-14T08:40:23-05:00

No, "war hero" is a made up, bullshit, meaningless propaganda term. Much like "assault weapon" or "transgender". Stop living your life through your tv.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2018 2:32 PM

2018-11-18T14:32:02-05:00

I’d reply “No.”

Response by SPC Jordan Sutich made Nov 18 at 2018 6:22 PM

2018-11-18T18:22:41-05:00

Actions of many of my brothers have been heroic and they haven't seen combat. All brothers and sisters in our military families are heroes because of coming together for one cause and doing whatever their country asks of them. The rest of the nation divide could learn from this.

Response by SSG Randy Talbot made Nov 18 at 2018 10:32 PM

2018-11-18T22:32:06-05:00

I have met and got to know guys that served with the 101st Airborne during WWII, marines from Guadalcanal and the Korean War, a bunch of guys from the 106th Infantry that got the hell beaten out of them in Bastogne and were prisoners, two MOH from Vietnam and one from WWII. They were the visible heroes that we could recognize for our benefit. And everyone of them will tell you the real heroes didn't come home. My father was a WWII vet but never deployed overseas. He was embarrassed to have folks thank him for his service because compared to so many, he didn't do anything. I've been very lucky in my life to meet real heroes and to understand the depths of their discomfort at those they left in jungles, or who were blown out of the sky, or were captured and never heard from again. Heroes are those that willingly serve, and willingly sacrifice themselves for others. I remember major dick winters at the end of band of brothers, when asked if he was a hero, he said no, but I served with a lot of heroes. And my departed friend don burgett at the end of one of his books when asked how could he remember WWII in such detail, he responded how can I forget.

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Nov 19 at 2018 9:10 AM

2018-11-19T09:10:02-05:00

No I'm not. I was there and I did my job.

Response by SGT Clayton Magee made Dec 19 at 2018 4:37 PM

2018-12-19T16:37:32-05:00

I was in little combat, so I know I am not a hero and have never claimed to be one. If you want a Herodotus down to the wall or find a MOH winner.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 8:21 PM

2018-12-27T20:21:50-05:00

I only claimed to be a insane Veteran if you don't believe me ask my Doctor at the VA [login to see] Dr Pace

Response by Jerry Rivas made Jan 12 at 2019 7:22 AM

2019-01-12T07:22:25-05:00

No.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2019 6:00 PM

2019-04-22T18:00:39-04:00

Sometimes I call bullshit