Is This Vet a Hero?

[BreakingBad]

I've noticed our society often grants the title of 'hero' to anyone who ever served anywhere.  Served in WW2....hero.  Been in the military....hero.

In your opinion, should that also apply to the enemy combatants, even through they served under what we (I) deem as morally corrupt regimes.  Such as Nazi Germany or the Empire of Japan.  How about North Vietnamese vets, are they also 'hero's'

Check out this guy, how would you class him?

  http://news.yahoo.com/japan-wwii-soldier-hid-jungle-until-1974-dies-091014526.html

[puller]

I'm not near as old as some of you but...we studied this guy in school as part of our World History, that apparently isn't taught anymore in our (don't want to violate any rules) public schools...we were also taught that all soldiers are heroes to their respective countries....I had to erase a lot of good stuff about how I am seeing public schooling as my daughter is in her second year of it now...but as to the OP yes all soldiers are heroes in their respective countries 

[WWhiskey]

A hero is someone who goes above and beyond the call to help save his fellow man, often at the expense of his own life, he doesn't belong to any nation or any race, most real hero's will deny that they are ! An example that comes to mind for me is sgt York  who went against his own beliefs to help save his fellow man no matter what side they fought on,
most fighter pilots are not hero's, not because they couldn't be but because there calling doesn't put them in a situation to become one.
  We all have a hero inside us but rarely are ever presented with the opertunity to prove it,,, and that is a blessing! Ask me why sometime and I'll tell you about standing inside a fire with a hundred people dead scattered all around you and a thousand more injured, needing help,, then wandering for the next 25 years, ( on a daily basis) how did I live? Did I get the ones that needed me to ? Did I do the right thing?

Soldiers are not hero's,,  they are great people, they could become hero's in an instant, they sign that check up to and including there life, I did that!  About 1% of the people of the U.S. And other free countries Help defend most of the world from tyranny , they deserve to be treated like hero's,,, and hope they never have to become one!

[BreakingBad]

One of the best lines from that movie 'Gran Torino' with Clint Eastwood:

"Padre, it's not what a soldier was ordered to do that haunts him, it's what he wasn't ordered to do'.

Not really germane to the topic.  It just makes me think of the atrocities committed by ordinary soldiers historically, like in the Rape of Nanking or the Eastern Front.  Surely ordinary soldiers who committed crimes like that couldn't be considered 'hero's' simply because they were soldiers.

[GScholz]

Hero is a vague word that encompasses anything between a person admired for his/her achievements and noble qualities, to a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability.

Who's a hero is entirely subjective.

[gyrene81]

it's a matter of culture and some military indoctrination. he would have been a hero to his family by continuing to do what he was ordered to do and not dishonoring his ancestors or his country.

[wpeters]

A Hero is someome:                                           Race, loyalty and religion have nothing to do in determining who is a hero.
           
                         1.  is not concerned with his safety.
                         2. only worries about those around him that he loves.
                         3.  willing to give his life for anyone without hesitation or reservation.
                         4. believes in honor and valor
                         5. Does not wish to be remembered.
                         6. Most never made it back from the Battlefield.
 
  TO all those that gave their live to defend their religon, country , and family. To save a fellow soldier or civillian. We thank you from the bottom of are hearts.  May the memory of your selflessness teach us, and help us to live in your footsteps. 
                                                           

[Blooz]

point
of
view

[ink]

the only true hero's in this world are fire fighters.....

solders now a days.......most of them.... NOT all of course, but most of them are only in it for the kill...they want to kill stuff....that is the furthest thing from a "hero" you can get....

I would say Police...but there are far to many that are in it for the power......


Fire Fighters.......They are the true Hero's.

[Zoney]

the only true hero's in this world are fire fighters.....
solders now a days.......most of them.... NOT all of course, but most of them are only in it for the kill...they want to kill stuff....that is the furthest thing from a "hero" you can get....
I would say Police...but there are far to many that are in it for the power......
Fire Fighters.......They are the true Hero's.

Interesting.  What information are you using to come to this conclusion and where did the information come from?

I thought that the VAST majority of "solders"<sic> really want to do their duty and go safely home.  I've also read many reports about soldiers that were kill happy being sent home specifically because of that attitude.

[ink]

Interesting.  What information are you using to come to this conclusion and where did the information come from?

I thought that the VAST majority of "solders"<sic> really want to do their duty and go safely home.  I've also read many reports about soldiers that were kill happy being sent home specifically because of that attitude.

by the people I have met...and talking to ones that want to "sign up"

 I didn't say everyone is like that did I ?   

I have met a lot of them....Tattooing gives me an insight most will never get, just by the shear number of people I meet and the time I spend with them......

[JimmyD3]

the only true hero's in this world are fire fighters.....

solders now a days.......most of them.... NOT all of course, but most of them are only in it for the kill...they want to kill stuff....that is the furthest thing from a "hero" you can get....

I would say Police...but there are far to many that are in it for the power......


Fire Fighters.......They are the true Hero's.

A little cynical don't you think? While I would agree that there are most likely a few, (less than 0.10%), in it to kill stuff, I believe that the vast majority are in it for the right reasons. Now does that make them Heroes? No, but they certainly deserve our respect and gratitude for their sacrifice.

[uptown]

Yes I think I would consider that feller a hero for Japan.


Any person who is willing to take a bullet in the defense of their country is a hero for that country. A person doesn't have to be MY hero but certainly could be someone else's.




@ Ink.....don't forget about those EMTs out there 

[ink]

A little cynical don't you think? While I would agree that there are most likely a few, (less than 0.10%), in it to kill stuff, I believe that the vast majority are in it for the right reasons. Now does that make them Heroes? No, but they certainly deserve our respect and gratitude for their sacrifice.

yup...for sure, but this life and dealing with people has taught me well.....

and I disagree far more then 10% are in it to kill.....

why should I respect someone who is blindly killing for money and power?



I wont get into it, lets just say we have different views on life and what is important....I wont disrespect HTC and break his rules by getting into a politics argument/discussion....

 

[uptown]

When you say "blindly killing for power and money", two groups come to mind.......governments and drug cartels. Well 3 I guess when you throw in groups like Blackwater and the like.