Devaluation of the word 'heroes'

[MarkCorrigan]

The VC is treated quite differently to any other war medal.

Sorry to resurrect the hell out of this thread, but yeah, I'd say that anyone who gets the VC and it's civilian equivalent the GC have to have their stories corroborated. Now, I'm not one to denigrate our military, but in my own personal opinion, just going to war doesn't qualify you as a hero. As far as I'm concerned, to be a hero you have to actually do something seriously heroic, like the deeds which the VC/GC medal winners did. There are levels of hero certainly, and I'd consider the mere act of going to war to be very brave and, as a general rule, highly commendable, but heroic? I wouldn't say so, unless you're doing it for a really serious reason.

For that reason, I've got to say that I'd consider Pat Tillman a bona fide hero. The guy gives up what is, let's face it, a fairly cushy gig as a professional sportsman in order to join the army to fight in Afghanistan, but still doesn't let his sense of patriotism overwhelm his morals and scruples when he argued against the war in Iraq. Agree with him or not, the guy gave up so much for such little reward comparatively, because I'd say that he had a sense of duty and sheer guts that far eclipses the average person.

I know it eclipses mine. That he was lost to friendly fire is such a shame.

 

[gumboot]

I've been thinking lately, actually, that the staff working to control the nuclear powerplant in Japan are heroes too. Particularly if the stories are true of the older guys sending the young guys home and remaining themselves since they figure it's less of a loss if they die as they've already lived a good life.

 

[CJW]

I've been thinking lately, actually, that the staff working to control the nuclear powerplant in Japan are heroes too. Particularly if the stories are true of the older guys sending the young guys home and remaining themselves since they figure it's less of a loss if they die as they've already lived a good life.

+1
just saw this thread was active and thought the same thing. Definitely call those guys heroes.