Real Heroes

One of the things that bothers me is the misuse of the word Hero. We hear it used all the time to describe sports figures and even politicians!!! Unfortunately we only infrequently hear it used to describe the true heroes that defend our Nation. In our local school with a great deal of arm twisting and yes a few judicious threats, we have gotten them to us the website I am attaching below to show the kids who and what a Hero really is. THe information is presented in a "baseball card" type format.

I am sharing with you in the hopes that you share it with the young people in your lives.

http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/

And an example of what the "card" looks like

I think the word "Hero" is overused, period.

Every profession has its share of heroes, some much more than others.
But I can't imagine a 100% of people in a particular profession being heroes.
Then how does one distinguish between someone who has done a heroic act,
won medals, etc., etc. from someone who is just doing his job?

Do we need a new label like Uber Heroes or the Masters of Heroism or what?

Perhaps a selfless disregard for ones own safety while attempting to help someone?

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Originally Posted by Pal334

Perhaps a selfless disregard for ones own safety while attempting to help someone?

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That's heroic for sure.
But does EVERYONE do that?
How do you distinguish between doing what you signed up to do and going above and beyond the call of duty?

I've been pondering that one for a while.

I would suggest you take sometime and review that site. Read about the people and their actions. Read interviews of them. Read the criteria for their awards. It will show what they did that their puts them in the Hero category. A status that even their peers agree with. And I am not saying the military are the only ones that deserve this "label" , there are any number of people that have really earned this type of recognition.
It will also show you that it is utterly silly to use the term hero to describe a sports figure for example.

That site certainly does not list every member of the military, nor should it. Not sure what you were getting at Benese.

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Originally Posted by crashdive123

That site certainly does not list every member of the military, nor should it. Not sure what you were getting at Benese.

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I was merely commenting on the first sentence of Pal's post: The misuse of the word Hero. And then I took it a step further, because I too am bothered by the misuse. (Perhaps I misunderstood the point?)

While there are true Heroes that defend this Nation and the site Pal posted certainly portrays Heroes in the truest sense of the definition, more often than not, the media uses the word Hero to describe ANYone serving in the military.

Now I think that all who serve are brave, just for signing up. It takes guts to put yourself at that kind of risk. (I certainly couldn't do it)

HOWEVER, they are not heroes. Yet.
It takes extraordinary action above and beyond the call of duty to earn that honor. That's ALL I was saying.

I appreciate and respect everyone that serves. My heart and prayers will go out with them and their families as long as they face danger.
They might have known they were brave going in but perhaps couldn't have imagined at the time they had it in themselves to become Heroes.

Gotcha. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by BENESSE

I was merely commenting on the first sentence of Pal's post: The misuse of the word Hero. And then I took it a step further, because I too am bothered by the misuse. (Perhaps I misunderstood the point?)

While there are true Heroes that defend this Nation and the site Pal posted certainly portrays Heroes in the truest sense of the definition, more often than not, the media uses the word Hero to describe ANYone serving in the military.

Now I think that all who serve are brave, just for signing up. It takes guts to put yourself at that kind of risk. (I certainly couldn't do it)

HOWEVER, they are not heroes. Yet.
It takes extraordinary action above and beyond the call of duty to earn that honor. That's ALL I was saying.

I appreciate and respect everyone that serves. My heart and prayers will go out with them and their families as long as they face danger.
They might have known they were brave going in but perhaps couldn't have imagined at the time they had it in themselves to become Heroes.

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If I could just input here. Anyone who puts themselves at the risk to save OUR lives and OUR country is a hero. So what if they didn't save the dying guy next to them or jump in front a bullet, they are putting there own lives and their families lives on the line to save our butts...wether they have done anything YET or not, that is a heroic enough in my book.

Now, I also agree that the use of the word Hero is misused and over used. But people need to really realize what a hero is.

Yes, the word hero is certainly overused. And, IMO, the definition of what a true hero is has changed in recent years as well.

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Originally Posted by rwc1969

Yes, the word hero is certainly overused. And, IMO, the definition of what a true hero is has changed in recent years as well.

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You are right there, the meaning of almost everything has changed in recent years.

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Originally Posted by rebel_chick

You are right there, the meaning of almost everything has changed in recent years.

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Yeah, now all the kids that play sports are winners (no loosing teams) they all get trophies and are told how special they are.
Everyone's a hero just for getting out of bed, and doing their frigging job.

What happened to the school of hard knocks?
What happened to starting at the bottom and working your way up?
What happened to proving yourself?
What happened to EARNING your stripes?

And I'm not even that old to appreciate this.
What happened here?!

What bothers me more than people labeling others as a hero are people who claim to be a hero.

First of all....who gets to make the distinction of who is or who isn't a hero? Who gets to be the judge of that?

There are many "heroic" people. Is a guy who runs into a burning building more heroic than a Soldier who jumps on a grenade and dies? Is a doctor a hero for saving lives day in and day out? What about the single mom who works two jobs and still finds time to spend with her kids and teach them morals and intergrity, is she a hero? If they are not hero's, than what are they?

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Originally Posted by doug1980

What bothers me more than people labeling others as a hero are people who claim to be a hero.

First of all....who gets to make the distinction of who is or who isn't a hero? Who gets to be the judge of that?

There are many "heroic" people. Is a guy who runs into a burning building more heroic than a Soldier who jumps on a grenade and dies? Is a doctor a hero for saving lives day in and day out? What about the single mom who works two jobs and still finds time to spend with her kids and teach them morals and intergrity, is she a hero? If they are not hero's, than what are they?

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I agree with you on this one. Heroes in my book are someone to look up to. A person who puts themselves in harms way to protect others, or as you mention a doctor, and of course the single parent who can manage to bring her children up correctly are all heroes.

Gallantry however, now that, for me is the preserve of those who do commit an entirely selfless act above and beyond what is generally expected of them, and often die in the process. It doesn't matter under what circumstances, or who.

This is interesting. I would generally reserve the term Hero for folks like Winnie described in her definition of gallantry:
"Gallantry however, now that, for me is the preserve of those who do commit an entirely selfless act above and beyond what is generally expected of them, and often die in the process. It doesn't matter under what circumstances, or who."

The mom who as Doug describes, struggles and brings her kids through trying times as good citizens , I personally would describe as being an extrodinary person, someone that persevered. She is definitely worthy of admiration and congratulations.

I think the good thing is the word hero can mean so many different things to different people. It seem that a prevailing theme in all our definitions, is some one who acts in an unselfish manner to help someone else.

I think the point that I was trying to make when I started this post is that we need to share our (even if it is different) definition of hero with our children. They need to be taught and reminded that we live as a community and should strive to help each other.

Stumbling down from my soap box now

Not stumbling at all. Well said.

From what little I have seen a so called hero seems to be a person in the wrong place at the right time. Just happen to be in the wrong place and forced to do something to either save yourself or take somebody with you. I know a couple of pilots & door gunners during the Nam era that were real heroes and no recognition, now not so healthy from flying in agent orange to pick up wounded, living & dead. Yet I know a man in the wrong place at the right time during WWII, Silver Star, Purple Heart and a few others that happened to be caught behind German lines with 18 others and he and a few made it back to American lines. He is and always will be in my opinion a rotten SOB and a coward(saw him hit a man in the back of the head with a 2X4 and ran), even got a bridge named after him by a state. My personal observation only is there are very few heroes and most are never recognized, and they didn't want it. I expect a lot of disagreement with what I just said but this is only my personal opinion and observation that doesn't mean squat, but it's mine.

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Originally Posted by Ole WV Coot

From what little I have seen a so called hero seems to be a person in the wrong place at the right time. Just happen to be in the wrong place and forced to do something to either save yourself or take somebody with you. I know a couple of pilots & door gunners during the Nam era that were real heroes and no recognition, now not so healthy from flying in agent orange to pick up wounded, living & dead. Yet I know a man in the wrong place at the right time during WWII, Silver Star, Purple Heart and a few others that happened to be caught behind German lines with 18 others and he and a few made it back to American lines. He is and always will be in my opinion a rotten SOB and a coward(saw him hit a man in the back of the head with a 2X4 and ran), even got a bridge named after him by a state. My personal observation only is there are very few heroes and most are never recognized, and they didn't want it. I expect a lot of disagreement with what I just said but this is only my personal opinion and observation that doesn't mean squat, but it's mine.

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You said it Coot, better than I ever could!

I remember a time when we didn't have these debates about who real heroes were, they just stood out and we knew.

Now it's become fuzzy because doing one's job, (whatever that may be) is apparently rare enough that it deserves a Hero recognition.

Call me jaded, call me insensitive, but...
A doctor is SUPPOSED to save lives that's part of practicing medicine. Those that screw up are sued for malpractice.
A mother (any parent) is SUPPOSED to take care of her children and sacrifice for them if necessary. Who else should do it instead?

And Pal, you are absolutely right about teaching our children to appreciate and recognize all acts of extraordinary endeavor no matter what label is put on it.

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Originally Posted by Pal334

I think the point that I was trying to make when I started this post is that we need to share our (even if it is different) definition of hero with our children. They need to be taught and reminded that we live as a community and should strive to help each other.

Stumbling down from my soap box now

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Pal, I didn't mean to take away from the sentiment your terrific post.
May not sound like it but I do agree.

Benesse: Not at all. Every one gets to express their opinions. None are wrong.

And it is a shame. Because it used to be apparent who and who wasn't a hero. Now days with instant media, and a different mind set (me, me society), some very good people are not getting recognized, and I think our kids are penalized by that.

Differing opinions are always welcome

I'm not certain the word is wrong. It requires an understanding of the context in which it is used.

Are some sports figures heroes? Yeah. To me some are. Mickey Mantle was a hero to me. I idolized the guy when I was growing up. Stood in line forever after a game just to get his autograph and he stood there the whole time signing stuff. A true gentleman and an ambassador of what sports is supposed to be. I see damned few sports figures today as heroes. Maybe I've grown up. Maybe I use the word differently. Maybe sports has changed.

Are everyday people heroes? Yeah. To me some are. My dad was my hero. He served in WWII but that's not what makes him my hero. He was my dad and that was enough in my book.

Are the guys and gals on that page heroes? Yeah. To me they are. Do I see them in the same context as Mickey Mantle? Of course not. And I don't think it demeans them one little bit because I call Mickey Mantle or my dad a hero. I think the context in which I use the word defines the level of exaltation given the person.

I see first responders as heroes. And I see those who serve our military as heroes where ever they serve and what ever they do whether they receive medals or not. Whether they see themselves as heroes or not.

It's enough for me that I know what I mean when I use the word and I understand the context I use it in. I will forever see those three firemen raising the American flag amidst the rubble of the World Trade Center as heroes just like I will forever see Louis Cukela, Matt Urban and David Hackworth as one.

Well said Rick!

When I was in Iraq, I saw a lot of people that were NOT heroes.

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Originally Posted by finallyME

When I was in Iraq, I saw a lot of people that were NOT heroes.

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Thanks for being intellectually honest about a polarizing issue.
It's a hard thing to admit for some people but you were there so you have the creds to say it.
I don't have the creds, but once in a while common sense might make sense.

Rick, If you ask most of those people you mention, they would say that they aren't heros.
And yet there are worthless turds out there who claim to be heros. I too grew up with Mickey Mantle as a hero. Unfortunately I also so him turn into a mean drunkard who was abusive to the kids who adored him. My boyscout troop would get free tickets on the third base line. I had rookie cards signed by him. It's a shame that some of our heros become tarnished.

Well I have no Sports people that I would even associate the word with,not one.Well, yes I do, all those Black/Negro/African American (Whatever the PC term is now)That played a sport when so many were opposed to them playing at all... Now that was Heroic! Same for the civil rights activists.
To me the word "Hero" is associated ONLY with actions that would be Deemed "Heroic" in nature. Everyone else are just people just doing what they are supposed to be doing. Yes they may deserve an "Attaboy", But the Title of "Hero"...No.

I have found that it is very easy to pick out a real hero. They will not gloat, they will seldom bring it up, and most of the time will not look at themselves as being a hero. Those that want the attention and recognition are more often than not, NOT a hero.

Isn't it interesting that such a little word can mean so many different things to so many people. We all seem to have our own ideas regarding it's definition. Personally I'm just glad and humbled that there are people who have the will to do extraordinary things in unimaginable circumstances.

I agree the word is over-used and abused, but lots of words are. I always hear people saying they love a certain food...love? Really? Kind of tarnishes what love is, IMO.

Sports heroes? Jesse Owens running to victory at the '36 Olympics in Berlin after being threatened with death by the 3rd Reich if he ran...qualifies?

Everyday heroes? Every firefighter sitting and waiting to put his life on the line when the bell rings even as I type. Yeah, it's the job they signed up for, but if they don't show up, who's going to go into a burning building or a collapsing trade center in their place?

My Dad was my hero, too, Rick and his death colored my perspective on the world from a very young age. If someone had asked me to describe what I thought God was like at a young age, I probably would have described my old man. I think what Rick said about context is very important.

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Originally Posted by pocomoonskyeyes

Well I have no Sports people that I would even associate the word with,not one.Well, yes I do, all those Black/Negro/African American (Whatever the PC term is now)That played a sport when so many were opposed to them playing at all... Now that was Heroic! Same for the civil rights activists.
To me the word "Hero" is associated ONLY with actions that would be Deemed "Heroic" in nature. Everyone else are just people just doing what they are supposed to be doing. Yes they may deserve an "Attaboy", But the Title of "Hero"...No.

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My grandpa was a frogman in WWII. He told me a story about when he swam in to destroy the reef for the marines to land at Okinawa. He said he went with a team in a little boat, and then they all got their "load". He was a fuse man, so he got a big roll of fuse line. Well, he swam out and laid the line. When he was swimming back, he noticed that there was another roll of fuse line in the water floating. So, he grabbed that and swam back and laid them for the explosives. He new the guy that was suppose to do it. When he finally made it back to the pickup boat, the guy was in the boat. Apparently this other guy swam a little ways out, got scared, and then swam back to the boat, ditching his responsibility on the way. My grandpa also said this guy was also the big talker trying to show how big and tough he was. That is what I call NOT a hero. Unfortunately, I saw a few of those types in my unit in Iraq. My company CO and XO were good examples of this, as were some E-6's. Oh well, we did find uses for them, so it wasn't a complete loss.

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Originally Posted by Winnie

.....Personally I'm just glad and humbled that there are people who have the will to do extraordinary things in unimaginable circumstances.

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Saw that after I typed my response. I think you pretty much encapsulated the way I see it Winnie, thanks for that.

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Originally Posted by trax

Saw that after I typed my response. I think you pretty much encapsulated the way I see it Winnie, thanks for that.

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I vote for WINNIE !! I am not sure for what, but you do have a way of saying things :)

Well let me maybe Re-phrase something and it was something that Rick said. Rick said that Mickey Mantle was who he idolized as a Sport "hero". To me (just my personal opinion mind you) I think we confuse who we "Idolize" with Hero's. I have heard people say this about musicians,actors,actresses,politicians,and Sports Figures. "So-and-so is my Hero!" Yet they have done absolutely nothing heroic,nothing. Maybe the definitions of "Hero" and "Idol" are being confused? I can admire a public person/personality, But I would never call them my Hero.

Here are some definitions from Wikipedia:

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A hero (Ancient Greek: ἥρως, hērōs), in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion.[1] Later, hero (male) and heroine (female) came to refer to characters who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self sacrifice – that is, heroism – for some greater good, originally of martial courage or excellence but extended to more general moral excellence.

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And from Merriam-Webster dictionary:

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* Main Entry: idol
* Pronunciation: \ˈī-dəl\
* Function: noun
* Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French idle, from Late Latin idolum, from Greek eidōlon image, idol; akin to Greek eidos form — more at idyll
* Date: 13th century

1 : a representation or symbol of an object of worship; broadly : a false god
2 a : a likeness of something b obsolete : pretender, impostor
3 : a form or appearance visible but without substance <an enchanted phantom, a lifeless idol — P. B. Shelley>
4 : an object of extreme devotion <a movie idol>; also : ideal 2
5 : a false conception : fallacy

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I've placed in Bold the definitions that I believe more clearly define what we are discussing.
JMHO but I think we are forgetting definitions as this Society progresses, I remember when bad meant something the polar opposite of good. Not meaning something good, which it seems to be today. There are many words that their true meaning today is being twisted and distorted. I think this is happening so much that sometimes we are confused as to what we are actually talking about. This is why I have included these definitions.

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Originally Posted by Pal334

I vote for WINNIE !! I am not sure for what, but you do have a way of saying things :)

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Why thankyou, kind sir!

To me Poco, idolatory, heroism and gallantry bear little resemblence. The only person I've ever idolised is my dad. In a previous post I've mentioned that for me heroes come in all forms and gallantry is, to me quite specific and in this country anyway is still seen as the pinnacle of self sacrifice.
To other folk these words mean different things and I'm perfectly happy with that. I don't think it matters that much what word is used as long as the meaning behind it is universal.

Im currently on my second tour in Iraq and a have seen a few things as an infantryman. To me a hero is the man who you hear stories about doing valorous acts but never here him tell the story.

Hey, Woodsman. Thanks for you service and stay safe.

Well said Woodsman. Stay safe

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