When I think of a hero, I think of someone, who sacrifices every part of themselves for another. Someone who knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that their actions will more than likely lead to them being killed or mortally wounded, yet they still do so. And in doing so, they save a life or multiple lives in the process. That one person, who hangs it out all on the line, and comes out scarred and broken, yet did so for a noble and worthy purpose. The people who medals were made for, yet the entire embodiment of a hero often scorns these awards, for that which they do is not in pursuit of these gaudy decorations.
When I am called a hero, I often disagree. I tell people that the real heroes are the ones whose families will never see them again, yet I am here. I've never been put in a situation where heroism needed to be shown, so therefore how can I, with a clear mind, agree with someone when they call me a hero?
However, when I am called a hero, I also feel a sense of accomplishment. After all, if I am a hero in someones eyes, that must mean I am doing something right. My life is noble, and my cause is just, regardless of how I feel or see myself. That person, who chooses to call ME a hero must see something in or about me that I fail to see in myself. Yet I still disagree. I am still here, when other heroes are not.
 |
| Navy Honor Guard during the dignified transfer of the 21 Navy Seals killed in the Chinook crash on Aug 6, 2011 |
Dying doesn't make you a hero. Dying makes you dead. Sacrificing everything you are for another person doesn't make you a hero either. It makes you a sucker, someone that gets walked on and mistreated.
ReplyDeleteThe definition of a hero that I think applies here is this:
c : a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities d : one who shows great courage.
You're a hero for standing up for what you believe in, for showing great courage, for being willing to sacrifice for others even if the opportunity doesn't actually present itself. You stood up willing to take a bullet. That's more than most people can say. It doesn't take a hero to follow orders and put in his time. It takes a hero to live the life he thinks is right.
Your achievements, your actions speak loud and clear. This is why you're a hero.