Guest #26 February 18, 2004 In order to be recognized, acts of uncommon valor must be eyewitnessed and corroborated. Audie Murphy's insane bravery in single-handedly holding off an attacking force by using a .50 cal mounted on a burning tank destroyer was deemed a Medal of Honor act (via eyewitness corroboration). However, the truest "war heroes" are those you've most likely never heard of. They didn't do it for the glory, or to punch a ticket in their political career (read: the nobless oblige service of the priveleged elite like John Kerry, or to a lesser extent, GWB [IMHO]). The bravest of all were those whose courage was witnessed only by the enemy, and by God himself. mh"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJohnson 0 #27 February 18, 2004 Take a bow and God Bless you....I tip my hat to you...and would be proud to call you a friend.JJ "Call me Darth Balls" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #28 February 18, 2004 Quote Join the military and go to a place where people don't want you, and do a thankless job that nobody else wants, while your family goes through their daily life with an empty chair at the table. F*in' A to that. mh"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luv2Fall 0 #29 February 18, 2004 That is so righteous, brother................well said. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #30 February 18, 2004 "Semper FI" Sparky (aka Doc Owens)My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winsor 236 #31 February 18, 2004 Quote In order to be recognized, acts of uncommon valor must be eyewitnessed and corroborated. Audie Murphy's insane bravery in single-handedly holding off an attacking force by using a .50 cal mounted on a burning tank destroyer was deemed a Medal of Honor act (via eyewitness corroboration). However, the truest "war heroes" are those you've most likely never heard of. They didn't do it for the glory, or to punch a ticket in their political career (read: the nobless oblige service of the priveleged elite like John Kerry, or to a lesser extent, GWB [IMHO]). The bravest of all were those whose courage was witnessed only by the enemy, and by God himself. mh Fully a third of the graves I visited in France last week (out of over a quarter of a million) said words to the effect of "A Soldier of the Great War Known but to God." Medals do not a hero make. Lyndon Johnson cadged a Silver Star for catching a ride ONCE on a bomber that turned back halfway to the the target, and traded on it for the whole of his political career. George McGovern piloted a B-24 in combat, but NEVER mentioned it when campaigning. To say that everyone who saw combat demonstrated the same level of valor is to dishonor those who did, indeed, display conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty - though the call of duty may have, in itself, demanded an unbelievable level of courage in the first place. Blue skies, Winsor Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #32 February 18, 2004 A war hero to me is anyone who has the guts to stand up and fight and maybe die for the safety of those of us here at home. Just the act of going to fight is itself heroic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,106 #33 February 18, 2004 What would you call those who labored patiently in the New Mexico mountains to make the weapon that ended WWII and saved the lives of countless American soldiers, sailors and marines? I'd call them heroes too. And how about the firemen who spent every night for months saving people in London in the fall and winter of 1940-41?... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pajarito 0 #34 February 18, 2004 I agree completely (for a change ). As was previously stated by someone else, however, there are different degrees of heroism. Heroism is also different for each person. Hard to really define. I would add to the list (and I hope I'm not restating someone else) the wives and husbands of soldiers that stay behind, take care of the families, and keep things in order while the soldiers are away at war. (Marines, Seamen..he..he, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen included...don't want to insult by just saying soldiers) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #35 February 18, 2004 AS I posted before, there are no heroes in a firefight. Only people trying to stay alive and doing what it takes to make it home. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiltboy 0 #36 February 18, 2004 You could add to that the conscientious objectors who served as stretcher bearers on the front line. They were not eligible for any decoration as they were objectors but were exposed to the same risks all the same. I don't like the term war hero. I prefer to recognise what old servicemen have survived and not forget what was asked of them. I remeber one veteran of the Arctic convoys who would go to several memorials on Remembrance day and lay a wreath. I was more impressed by his demeanour at those ceremonies than the local councillor who was there for show. David Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #37 February 18, 2004 Everyone who works to allow me to fall asleep safe at night. Everyone who works to allow me to have my freedom, to come and go as I please and to vote for whom I want to vote for. The people that are state side, doesn't matter if they are on the front, it's all those people, military or not, the police, the firemen, the hospital workers, and so on that make me proud to say I'm an American and I thank everyone of them for doing a job well done. It's all those people that are heros to me.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,106 #38 February 18, 2004 Quote I agree completely (for a change ). As was previously stated by someone else, however, there are different degrees of heroism. Heroism is also different for each person. Hard to really define. I would add to the list (and I hope I'm not restating someone else) the wives and husbands of soldiers that stay behind, take care of the families, and keep things in order while the soldiers are away at war. (Marines, Seamen..he..he, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen included...don't want to insult by just saying soldiers) Are you aware that Los Alamos is located on the Pajarito Plateau?... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #39 February 19, 2004 My Grandfather was a war hero. During WWII While everyone else was out trying their hardest to kill each other he was on top of a ladder in the east end of London putting out fires and saving lives while all around him incendery bombs were falling. That is what I call a real war hero. (I never knew of or saw his medals until after he past away)When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,106 #40 February 19, 2004 Quote My Grandfather was a war hero. During WWII While everyone else was out trying their hardest to kill each other he was on top of a ladder in the east end of London putting out fires and saving lives while all around him incendery bombs were falling. That is what I call a real war hero. (I never knew of or saw his medals until after he past away) My dad did that too, in SE London. Ran around the roof tops extinguishing incendiary bombs.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #41 February 20, 2004 Quote To me, anyone who goes to war is a war hero and should be treated as such. Then you better be nicer to me! I don't consider myself a War Hero. I think that those who go way above and beyond when the shit hits the fan are the real heros. Doing something that puts the lives of others before yours when there is an actual chance of getting your ass blown off. That is a hero to me.Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #42 February 20, 2004 Quote To say that everyone who saw combat demonstrated the same level of valor is to dishonor those who did, indeed, display conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty - though the call of duty may have, in itself, demanded an unbelievable level of courage in the first place. Yeah, That is what I was trying to say.Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #43 February 20, 2004 Quote AS I posted before, there are no heroes in a firefight. Only people trying to stay alive and doing what it takes to make it home. This is true as well! There are a few people that do shine in those situations though. THey are the ones that I consider heros. They usually die though.Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pajarito 0 #44 February 20, 2004 My nickname has always been Jaybird since I was a kid. It kind of stuck with me even after I grew up and it also fit well with my skydiving. My cousin, Chuck Blue (SkymonkeyONE), used to call me Pajarito in the late 80's/early 90's when we were stationed together at Ft. Bragg and he was learning to speak Spanish with the Army. Now, I find out that I also picked the name of a Plateau...I'm humbled! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #45 February 20, 2004 To me it is a person who put's there life on the line in defense of their country. There's a lot of war veterans who were in a safe area with a safe job, and to me they are not war heros even though they get the same benefits as those who were on the front lines or behind them during a time of conflict. A veteran who earned the combat infantryman's badge in war is a war hero in my mind. And I agree their are many civilians and non-combatants who are also heros...Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racenic 0 #46 February 20, 2004 Your dad is a hero to me! Not only for being a War Hero, but for being a Dam Good Actor. He has acted along side some of the all time Greatest Actors to appear on the silver screen. Movies that are Classics. I'd like to hear some of those behind the camera stories!! Nick Nick D The key to Immortality is- first living a life worth remembering” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #47 February 24, 2004 Quote I'd like to hear some of those behind the camera stories!! Next time we get together for coffee, I'll tell you a few. But Dad tells them far better than I ever could - they are his stories, after all. (thanks, Skyrad, for pointing this post out to me. I missed it somehow....and I'll get a pm to you later today!) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobsled92 0 #48 February 24, 2004 So "Wars" our country is Not listed as being in, have been going on for years, decades. Some things about my father are told to me at the officers Club(I don't go often) and many things are implied. As a man I called Dad, yet never knew why he became Brig. Gen and I never knew until his ashes were placed. His secrets died with him "you'll sleep better not knowing" he would say about his "trips". He told me "I'm part of the Army, I want you in the USAF" and I'm aready proud of you son, don't go kill yourself to to prove yourself to me. I already love you." He returned from Mogedeshu(spelling?) then straight to Bogata then gone._______________________________ If I could be a Super Hero, I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year. http://www.hangout.no/speednews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
