he·ro
[heer-oh]
Show IPA–noun, plural -roes; for 5 also -ros.
1.
a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for hisbrave deeds and noble qualities.
2.
a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities orhas performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model orideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
3.
the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.
4.
Classical Mythology .
a.
a being of godlike prowess and beneficence who oftencame to be honored as a divinity.
b.
(in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of specialstrength, courage, or ability.
c.
(in later antiquity) an immortal being; demigod.
6.
the bread or roll used in making a hero sandwich.
Now, think what it means to you to call someone a hero. And I am not talking about something personal that happened like you were on the brink or is a serious bind and someone turned it around for you. That's a personal hero and the only opinion that matters is yours. Stay with me if I get loopy, I got some pain meds from the dentist so I am flying a little higher right now.
Back to heroes. So like with Sully, the guy that landed the airplane. Is he a hero for what he did? No. He's not a hero because he was the pilot. His job was to control the plane and protect the lives of the passengers as well as possible. And he did so, admirably. He wasn't a hero, he showed that he can maintain focus and control under pressure. That is a fantastic and very admirable quality and so I am happy for his celebrity and hope he made some money from it, that's the American way, and I am all for that. He also earns the distinction of me being willing to fly with him as the pilot and not get nervous, and I always get nervous when I fly. Not that I couldn't die, but if the time came, I know he wouldn't make stupid mistakes or rash decisions, he would see it through to the end. So I respect the hell out of the guy. But that still doesn't make him a hero. A hero he may be, but not for that.
That is basically my alliteration. A Soldier is not a hero for being a soldier or even for dying on the battlefield. Dying for your country isn't heroic, its noble. You signed up to be a soldier, you willingly put your name on the line to have a significant chance to die doing your job. So that isn't heroic. Not that you couldn't die heroically. Such as a grenade is thrown in a crowd of civilians and the soldier jumps on top of it and shields the shockwave and the shrapnel from killing and non combatants. That makes that soldier a hero. I would say that for any situation. 9/11, instead of jumping over the widening hole to safety, you throw someone over it and they get to the stairs and get out but the hole got too wide over that moment and you were stuck inside until the collapse. That person is a hero. Willingly facing death to save another, especially if you don't know them. That's my definition of hero. Or saving a life that would have perished without your actions. Same deal in other walks of life, Nelson Mandela went to prison for a looooooong time to help end the Apartheid. That dude's a hero. He is a huge reason why a whole nation of people are free. That does it for me, throw your ass on the line suddenly for liberty and you get hero status from me.
So any or all soldiers may be heroes, but not for being soldiers. And not solely for dying in the line of duty, though it could be a heroic act, therefore making that soldier a hero. That doesn't for a second diminish my respect, or reverence for our troops. They are doing a great and noble thing willingly serving the Nation we love, and if you need someone to help you fight for one of the many things our country ought to give our soldiers, let me know where you need me to be. Raise my taxes to raise their wage or give them better help when they come home, no problem. Whatever is needed to make sure all the soldiers have the opportunity to pursue the American dream of a life better than the one they were handed. But doing your job, however horrific it is, isn't heroic if its your job that you signed up for. Not in itself.
As long as I am on my soapbox can we get rid of the I Support the Troops bumper sticker? It doesn't make any sense. You can get those lots of places. They don't only come water-sealed from doing something to actually support them. I am glad you support the troops, so do I, but the honor in that is doing it without advertising it. Unless you are stating that you disagree with the governments decision to wage a battle or war but that you support the troops anyway. But again, you should. You don't get credit for doing what you already should. Your an American, we expect more from you. So please, by all means, support our troops in any way you can, but don't ask to be lauded for it.
Just my opinion.
