Real Heroes

**Rick** · 09-24-2009, 09:00 AM

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.

**BENESSE** · 09-24-2009, 09:27 AM

Well said Rick!

**finallyME** · 09-24-2009, 10:20 AM

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

**BENESSE** · 09-24-2009, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by finallyME

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

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.

**SARKY** · 09-24-2009, 11:40 AM

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.

**pocomoonskyeyes** · 09-24-2009, 11:56 AM

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.

**doug1980** · 09-24-2009, 12:04 PM

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.

**Winnie** · 09-24-2009, 12:20 PM

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.

**trax** · 09-24-2009, 12:36 PM

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.

**finallyME** · 09-24-2009, 12:36 PM

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.

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.

**trax** · 09-24-2009, 12:37 PM

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.

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

**Pal334** · 09-24-2009, 01:10 PM

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.

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

**pocomoonskyeyes** · 09-24-2009, 02:16 PM

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:

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.

And from Merriam-Webster dictionary:

* 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

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.

**Winnie** · 09-24-2009, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by Pal334

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

Why thankyou, kind sir!

**Winnie** · 09-24-2009, 03:34 PM

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.

**woodsman86** · 09-28-2009, 02:38 PM

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.