Sorry, I don't need anyone to protect me. So you won't see me typing a bunch of bull pretending to bow down to these authoritarian types. America, where have you gone?

The only thing being "served and protected" is the State.

Freedom is lost from the inside out.

No Sailor. I responsed to the first poster on this board, who put armed forces and police/firemen on the same level of hero worship.

Please regard this post of notice that you don't know what you are writing about.

Webster’s defines hero as: (1) mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with a great strength or ability; (2) an illustrious warrior; (3) a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities; (4) one that shows great courage. What Webster’s does not say is who bestows the title hero.

It is my opinion that every person has the ability to bestow that title on those that they see worthy of the title based on the above definition. That being said, I feel our Military and our Public Servants are all heroes. Some are tested and proven while others have taken up the challenge, but have not yet been tried.

That goes for both sides of this argument. There are Law Enforcement/Fire Fighters that have taken the challenge and do the job, but that have not yet had to face down a killer or run into a burning building. There are also Military men and women who have sworn an oath to protect this country against her enemies both foreign and domestic that have never had to storm a bunker or take another human life. But both sides Military and Public Servant meet the third and fourth definition of what a hero is.

Both have accomplished great achievements. Those achievements are keeping our Country safe from both foreign and domestic enemies. The fact that they are there at all keeps our Country and our Families safe. Imagine an America without either of them.

They both have noble qualities. Those qualities are even stated in the bible: John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Just because they have not laid down their life yet, does not mean that they are not willing to. In trying times like today, a soldier may be asked to go to war for our Country and in doing so is put in harms way. Back before 911 soldiers trained for war. It’s their job. Can you call a soldier who went to war a hero and not bestow the same title on one who did not? Both were willing to, but only one was asked. Same goes for our men and women of Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters. They go out daily. Not just in times of war. Most times the day is uneventful. That does not mean the next call they go to won’t be their last. Again you can not call the Public Servant that gave his life more of a HERO then the one that did not.

I think it’s great that there are men and women out there who are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that our country, family, friends, and ideas are kept safe from others who would do them harm. In the great words of George Orwell "Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." I am proud to have served in the United States Army for 8 years, and I continue to serve as a Texas Peace Officer. I have seen both sides of the coin. I do not ask that you call me a hero or that you show me any respect that I have not earned. I only ask that you honor those who have answered their final call so that you can enter a forum such as this and voice your opinions as I just have. That is what this article is about after all, honoring those who have served. Not arguing over who gets to be called a hero.

Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

I feel the same way Bighorn & Vet we use that hero tag much too often; IMO it diminishes it.
You don't you have to die ,because I think Audie Murphy & Roy Benavidez were heroes ,but so was that civilian who saved that person in the NY subway.

Thank you, Vet, for saying it much better than me. I disrespect no one, but have the ultimate for our armed forces, past, present, and future.

If you talk to anyone who has been in war, you will hear that the soldiers' immediate "family" are his/her fellow soldiers. They spend 24 hours a day with them, they depend on their buddies to watch their backs and protect each other to no end. Hence, "Band of brothers".I tend to agree with most about the hero tag, but in my book, as I've always said, the real heroes are the ones with their names on the memorials in D.C. and memorials throughout the country.Some may not agree with me, but that is my feeling.

I have to agree with most in this forum, our local hero’s are very important. BUT I have to say that I feel that our MILITARY are the REAL AMERICAN HEROS!!!! They have gone to war and have seen things that Local Hero’s do not. I am sorry but going after a gang member in an 8 – 12 hour day is not the same as being on foot in a country that you do not know on a daily basis and sometimes days on end without a good nights sleep. Our Military are out there defending our freedom and they deserve more respect than most. After days in the desert heat their clothes can stand up by themselves, there feet are sore from all the walking, they see comrades die by roadside bombs, ied’s, they have to be in a country where they have no loved ones to come home to at night, every day is a battle of life and death, they have to walk for miles with metal in them to get to a military hospital, they sleep when they can while others stand watch. That is a true HERO!! I respect our law enforcement but those who serve our COUNTRY are HERO’S!! I have a friend that is a 20 year vet of the Military and HE IS MY HERO, I know some of the things he has endure in his career, some cops may go through their whole career without shooting someone, our sons and daughters may have to shoot someone when they hit the desert ground. IF any of you want to question these things, search back to 2005 and the hardest hit unit of that year they lost many men that day (ONE DAY) these men were watching a roadside bomb took the lives of their comrades and friends. Local hero’s may never witness co-workers blown up they need to be thankful for that.

Chris, I agree with your father on this point. The only true hero in my life is my father, who we are blessed to have going strong at 82. Since his childhood he has been an infantryman, a farmer, a banker, and now a retired old fart (his words). Thoughout his life he has sought to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, his family, his nation, and his local community. And I am extremely proud him and the fact he is my dad.

The idea that someone would use this same word to describe Barry Bonds, Ted Kennedy, or Rush Limbaugh is not enjoyable to think about.

Just my thoughts. Have a great Sunday!

This is an interesting discussion so early on a Sunday morning. On a recent visit, my father-in-law also brought up the point that he thought the "hero" label was applied too freely these days. In his day, he said, heroes were soldiers who stormed a hill and took a dozen prisoners, not everyone who served.

I hadn't thought before about trying to narrow the definition to that degree, although I certainly cringe at how many sports "heroes" we have these days.

I tried briefly to find a good article on the subject. This one is OK, but perhaps you'll find a better one: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/...,

Sailor,
I am fully aware of your military background, and that your brother is a local cop. Everyone who read even one of your posts is aware of that since you mention it in every thread.

Unlike you, my military career was short and about 10 years earlier. I served with no particular distinction for mere 19 months. My father served in Pattons Third in WWII. Being like him, I never felt this was the defining time of my life, and don't feel the need to mention often.

Also, I never cite that one of my best friends is an elected sheriff in this region. We have known each other for 30 years and have few secrets between the two of us. We have been present at some the best, and some of the worse, events in our lives.

Given that I have your background, and now you have mine, let us say we differ in our opinions on this subject. You will not sway mine, nor I yours.

A true hero risks his life to save others. Soldiers do this. So do policemen and firemen. They all deserve our eternal gratitude. I instinctively utter a prayer every time I hear a siren speed by my home.

Police and Fire dept. officers are certainly due a high measure of respect and gratitude. Those that lose their lives in the pursuance of public service especially, just as our military personnel do and are.

Bighorn, I don't think you did mean any disrespect to our public servants but I did find your comment a bit over the top. Military people serving overseas, particularly in combat conditions do have it considerably rougher than your local cop on any given day. On the other hand, the private does a three year hitch and goes home. The cop goes out for eight hours (or ten or twelve or twenty sometimes) and goes home - but often does it every day for twenty years.

Sailor was in the Navy and his brother is a cop. Seems to me that gives his comment on both sides of the coin a good bit of veracity.

I don't think the whole issue is one of who deserves more or less respect. Both deserve respect and gratitude. It's not really a matter of degree.

Ernie

Again, I am not knocking public servants, I am comparing that to the military. There is no comparison.
The folks were mentioned moved on to an easier life outside the service when they joined the PD, FD, or whatever they chose.
I really "love" your "every single day" comment. Last time I drove by the Fire Department they were washing their truck for the "whole g--- day".
Overstating your case does it no good.
While we're at it, let's call linesmen heros. They lose their lives (and limbs) to supply us with a better lifestyle and electrical power. Geez!

TomC and Bighorn... have you ever done a survey about how many soldiers actually become civillian police/sheriff officers after getting out of the military? I know of many right here in Victoria! It is a way of continuing to serve their country...

Local PD and FD serve as well. They put their life on the line EVERY single day.... if you doubt it, remember 9/11? How many civillian servants lost their life that day coming to the aid of their country! If still in doubt, wait until you need their services (God forbid).

My father was in the Navy during WWII, and I know what he sacrificed for his country. I have in-laws currently serving in Iraq, and I know what they are giving up and sacrificing.... But no one ever stops to think about the sacrifices the PD and SO officers make on a daily basis... they are in as much danger today as are our soldiers in Iraq! FD personnel run into dangerous situations with every call! Just like the military personnel, Police officers and Fire Department become such because they want to serve and protect. God knows it isn't for the glamour, pay or benefits! So yeah, they deserve to be honored.... all of them!

VPD missed action in Europe by 15 minutes? Wow. No wonder they are in a hurry to get to the mexican food place!

Sic 'em, Uncle Sailor. Tell bighorn all about hero brother. Don't forget the ol' "missed BlackHawk Down episode by minutes" story. That's a classic.

Mr. Sailor,Does a police officer alter his entire lifestyle and life to go on active duty? Is he in harms way against hostile forces? Does he go home to his wife and family at the end of a shift?
Just because your family is involved in law enforcement does not give you the right to attack a simple fact. The military pay a much higher price than ANY civilian servant. The possibility of the greatest sacrifice is much greater as well. No insult to public servants, but there is no comparison. No insult to anyone who has passed away is intended. All loss is sad. My comment is about the "hero" status of all being equal.
You are clueless. Sorry to make you ill as well.

Police and Firemen are public servants. To view them as equal to the Army, Marine, Navy, or Air Force is an insult to those services. Their sacrifices are no where close to equal.

Police officers, fire fighters, and soldiers are my heroes. We should honor and support them at every opportunity. God only knows where we would be without them.