During a discussion of family notification about the death of a loved one on the battlefield, Hayes told his panel, "I think it is very difficult to talk about the war dead and the fallen without invoking valor, without invoking the words 'heroes.' Why do I feel so [uncomfortable] about the word 'hero'? I feel comfortable — uncomfortable — about the word because it seems to me that it is so rhetorically proximate to justifications for more war."While Hayes went on to say that he didn't mean to disrespect those fallen soldiers who truly were heroes — and even qualified his statement by saying he might be wrong in his thinking — he set off a controversy nonetheless.
I'm about to surprise a bunch of people, and sort of agree with Hayes.
A few years ago, here in Onslow County, NC, we had two firemen killed when they wrecked our firetruck on the way to a fire. The local paper ran a story, "They Died Heroes". I disagree. They took a curve in a road too fast, rolled a $100,000 truck, and died before getting to the fire. Fortunately, the fire was in an abandoned trailer. But, had there been citizen lives in danger, these two firemen actually further endangered them by not getting that truck to the fire.
So I guess my point is, just getting dead doesn't make you a hero.
Hayes also said, in the same segment, that some of our war dead got that way in the midst of actions of extreme heroism. I get what he was saying. All of our war dead should be revered as patriots. They should be lauded for their devotion to freedom. And they shouold be called heroes. But that means those killed in the act of heroism should be called super heroes.
Good point and I agree. The term hero is used too much but those that write a blank check to this country in defense of freedom deserve the honor that is due them.
ReplyDeleteHayes did in fact step on it and should STFU on matters he does not remotely begin to understand.
T- I feel for Haynes. Only because I have the hardest time saying exactly how I feel. What I mean by that, is that sometimes the words coming out of my mouth do not necessarily match what my brain is thinking. However, him admitting that he may be wrong, does in fact make him a beat-off.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm going to disagree with your statement about the firefighters. I understand why you have that opinion, but it is wrong. Firefighters & Policemen serving the general public Welfare. The same as soldiers who defends the general public's freedom. If a soldier dies in combat because of a roll-over accident, weapon misfire, or friendly fire. They are still heroes none the less. Same can be said for the said Firemen. They took a corner a little to fast, not because of their lack of driving skills, but because of the urgency to help the common citizen. It would be comparable to a Fireman running into one of the Towers on 9/11, but getting struck by a taxi. The man would be running into a burning building because of urgency to help citizens. Dying in the "Line of Fire" is not what makes these men heroes. The fact that they took oaths and pledges, to defend us common citizens is what makes them heroes. In my opinion, they should be looked upon as such.
I do agree with the super hero comment though.
Jon,
DeleteI completely disagree that the firemen in my post were heroes. They were counted on to get that truck to the fire, and they blew it. As a result, the structure burned to the ground, and other structures burned, until the truck could be replaced. There is a difference between urgency and stupidity.
Like all the firefighters' wives who ended up as multi-millionaires because their husbands died doing what was expected of them. Ya, it's bad.....but that's the job. The families of the dead office workers in the towers got squat for getting killed doing their non-trumpeted jobs.
ReplyDeleteWhile technically on common ground here, I think I heard that the families of all of the 9-11 victims were awarded big settlements.
DeleteI feel the same way when I see cops in court wearing their bullet proof vests under their uniform. The odds of getting shot as a cop in Onslow County are so close to zero, they may as well be zero. Yet all these cops wear them, even in court, where everyone goes in through a metal detector. And, I must admit, the metal detector at the courthouse pisses me off. There has never been an incidence of violence at our courthouse, yet everyone who enters has to be searched? Some people go to the courthouse for such things as marriage licenses and birth certificates. Why are the cops and robbers (judges) scared of everyone?
I also agree that the term is bandied about pretty loosely.
ReplyDeleteEven in combat, there are guys who die due to bad luck or, sometimes, sheer stupidity. Hard to call them "heroes". What about those who managed to stay alive, arguably the more difficult feat? After all, it's EASY to get yourself killed in combat. Anyone can do it. So, what do we call the living ones? And how about the guys who really ARE heroes, the guys who are awarded medals for valor? What's the term then?
"Hero" has become pretty meaningless as a descriptive nowadays, IMO.
You put on the uniform and, assume the risks that come from wearing it when 90% of the country you're serving won't or, wouldn't do it.
ReplyDeleteI find it pretty pretty heroic for a kid to stand up and swear to defend MY freedoms while knowing upfront he could lose his in doing so.
I get ticked off when those who are willing to risk nothing for our country's interests are so quickly to define a "hero" even if they have no idea what it means to be one.
I've known heroes. And not a single one of them ever wanted to be one...except for the fact that pure chance forced the title onto them.
The common theme between them and their peers was having the balls to wear a uniform and place themselves in the path of heroism regardless of whether it found them or, not.
Excellent point, Sepp. I feel that way about real Christians too. Those that tell you what a good Christian they are, seldom really are a Christian.
DeleteI have known heroes too. Lots of em. I am repulsed by a guy like Obama putting the Medal of Honor around the neck of a real man, and sickened at him placing a wreath at the Tomb.
Obama hung a freedom medal on Delores Huerta who is the honorary chairman of the democtatic socialists of America.
ReplyDeleteHe isn't fit to drape a collar on a dog.
TGP- I would just like to add one thing to this discussion. In my opinion, The death of a man does not make him a hero. It is the oath that he swears to, that makes him a hero.
ReplyDeleteMarines, Navy, Chicago police or fire department, whatever. If you swear to an oath to defend my Life or liberty, you are a hero to me. It's that simple.
I'd love to punch his face off.
ReplyDelete