Purple Hearts -- Heros ???

Don't get me wrong on this...I'm a vet...long line of vets in my family and my son is going back to Iraq again. But here is my question....





Does getting a Purple Heart make you a Hero? It seems a lot of people out there consider them to be a Hero. I was in Vietnam for 4 years and was never wounded...so no Purple Heart....so am I any less of a Hero because I was not shot? A lot of men / women go into battle and are not shot or wounded. They too should be our Heros...but it appears they are never recognised as one. Any idiot can be shot or wounded and not even do anything else....just stick your head up when the shooting starts...so is he a Hero or Idiot????


To me...a Hero goes into battle and shoots more of the enemy than those that shoot him. What do you think?

Purple Hearts -- Heros ???
All you have to do apparently in America these days is put on a uniform and a fireman's hat. You don't have to "do" anything.





I think that "hero" is suffering from inflation these days. You and I aren't "heroes" for being vets and we shouldn't be. Just doing one's duty is....well...what you are SUPPOSED to do.





It's not a big deal. But these bumper sticker patriots have cheapened the term "hero" to the point where it is meaningless.





Used to be that a "hero" a) risked his life in a moral and heroic cause and b) fought a worthy enemy and c) was clearly victorious.





A fireman could be a hero for rescuing someone in a deadly blaze, CERTAINLY....but he's not for just being a fireman.





A soldier could be a hero for saving his buddies lives, but I doubt he could be a hero just for shooting a rifle in an immoral war. Hard to say about that. I'm not sure.





I think heroes need to do noble things, not just take live fire.
Reply:Why is it so obvious that niether the asker nor the best answer have any military expirience? Report It

Reply:In my eyes if you wore the uniform honorably you are a hero.





Nothing more or less than any other Veteran.
Reply:I believe that any person who serves his country is a hero, regardless of awards or medals. Thank you and your son for your service to our country.





Chief Petty Officer


U.S. Navy, Retired
Reply:Most people who appreciate our veterans consider them all hero's. Clearly a man who earns a congressional medal of honor could be considered more of hero due to some great deed. As far as purple hearts veteran's don't choose to be a recipient. They aren't wounded "acting like idiots". They're wounded doing their duty and serving their country. It's the closeness of death the pain endured that gains them respect. Just as a veteran should be honored for their sacrifice of 4 years of their young life in a foreign land. Maybe a veteran who'll endure an entire life with the scars, missing limbs, blindness, of some of our wounded veterans deserve a little extra thank you to compensate for their possibly harded bought gift of freedom. Thanks for your service and a belated "Welcome home"
Reply:For me, a hero is anyone who gets up every morning and takes the chance that I cannot take to save and protect lives. I don't really think that it matters that someone didn't get shot, or maybe even didn't get shot at. What matters is that a hero puts himself through the training and the separation from home and family and prepares to lay down his life for those who can't protect themselves. EMTs save lives - when my life was saved by EMTs, they became my heroes. Police and firefighters get up everyday and put on a uniform that may draw gunfire from some creep - they are heroes. Coaches that take the time to build kids' self-esteem and keep them off the streets are heroes. Teachers, parents, mentors - there are many heroes that we will have the blessings to meet in our lifetime - but not all will be blessed to be recognized. The Purple Heart is one way we say "thank you", but certainly it's not the only or even an adequate way.





I grew up watching Viet Nam and it's horrors. You are my hero. Thank you for serving in the midst of all that. Thank you for teaching your son the importance of serving.
Reply:Any person who served his/her country is a hero. my dad also served in Vietnam with the USMC. he was not wounded either, but he is still a hero to me. YOU are a hero to me. My dad always said he was just doing his job. I think its great that people who are hurt do get a medal, but that does not make them any better than you or any other vet for that matter. Thank you for your service.
Reply:Extex,





I served over 20 years and I will NEVER accept the label of "HERO" for serving my duty to my country.
Reply:Receiving the purple heart absolutely doesn't make you a hero. Over the past few years, "hero" has been convoluted, watered down, and outright mis-used. We hear that the people in the twin towers on 9/11 were "heroes". GIVE ME A BREAK. While their deaths are tragic and unnecessary, this in no way categorizes them as "American Heroes". Nor for that matter should we put many of the firefighters, police officers, or shuttle astronauts upon this pedestal.





Many of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines have been awarded the purple heart for no other reason than being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Driving down a road, then being unfortunate enough to have an IED explode near you, does not a hero make.





Before the ridicule starts...Yes, I have been there, for a total of 18 months in a 3 year period. While fortunate enough to have been awarded several medals...and not just the "right place at the right time" chest candy...the P/H was not one of them.
Reply:no


you are not less a hero


you served the USA
Reply:As far as a purple heart making someone a hero, I would say no. I know of a soldier who got a purple heart because a round from some nearby celebratory fire fell through the tent roof of the DFAC and hit her on the head. As far as you're definition of a hero, well I personally feel that a hero is someone who puts the good of others and the mission before their own well-being. Whether they get shot or not, well that's just luck.
Reply:I mean Hell, if you get shot I think you should have some kind of honor but like Patton said, your duty isn't to die for your country, but to make the other son of a ***** die for his.
Reply:Yes, they are more of a hero than you are, and that's why they got a Purple Heart and you don't.