Rescued POW Put Up Fierce Fight

CBSNews.com ^ | April 3, 2003 | CBS

[lawdude]

""She wants to become a teacher, and we are going to see that she becomes one,""

She can take over from deGenova right now AFAIAC!

[A2J]

If not for the intel from the Iraqi citizen

Why isn't the Iraqi being considered a hero?

After all, he/she placed him/herself in tremendous danger and risked his/her life in providing the information necessary for our guys to rescue Jessica. In other words, he/she risked far more than Jessica did.

But not one word has been said on his/her behalf because we want to make heroes out "our" guys, even though they may not deserve to be called such.

[prophetic]

I'll back you on that one dude.

[RooRoobird14]

I can't believe there are Freepers here saying " no big deal!" about what Jessica (or any other serviceperson) is going through right now!!

I happen to think that every single soldier, sailor, airman, etc. over there is A HERO--whether they're in a fire-fight with the Republican Guard, or sorting the mail on a Navy ship.

ALL of our servicemen and women have chosen to be ready to kill and to die for the sake of our country!!! Shame on anyone here who doesn't appreciate that.

[KC Burke]

It is certainly not uncommon for a soldier of any rank to be put up for a Silver Star or a DSC for just preforming steadfastly in combat. This is often the case when the soldiers steadfast duty has been preformed in the public eye. The soldier has little to say about it and denigrating the commendation before it is issued would certainly make me feel very small.

In North Africa, after Kasserine Pass, even in incidents that were combat failures, company and larger unit commanders were awarded the DSC for bravely leading smaller units in battle and recieving facial wounds. When nominated, Patton and others in one officer's chain of command suggested that it be downgraded to a Silver Star but the Army went ahead and awarded Ward the DSC.

He was taken from his command by Patton and Eisenhower and went back to lead a training unit.

Later in the war, he distinguished himself as a combat leader in Gemany.

Was his award a good "investment"? It appears to have been the case there.

[glennaro]

I was going to concede your strict academic definition of "hero" until I consulted The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition, 2000:

"HERO - A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life."

and The Oxford English Dictionary (paperback):

"HERO/HEROINE - A person admired for courage, outstanding achievements, etc."

These definitions appear to me to apply to PFC Lynch.

[spunkets]

"thousands of soldiers fight bravely and with honor, that makes them good soldiers but does not make them heroes.

Circumstances of engagement are the only factors that some folks nitpic about. The soldiers that fight with bravery and honor are heros. Those that nitpic over the circumstances are not.

" please tell me where and when you served."

I never served in the US mil.

"it seems obvious by your comments that you do not know what is expected of a soldier under battlefield conditions.

Nonsense.

[samuel_adams_us]

As if we never wondered why the british got the heck out of here!

[spunkets]

"But not one word has been said on his/her behalf because we want to make heroes out "our" guys,"

I've noted mention of that Iraqui in every story I saw regarding her rescue. THat Iraqui is also a hero. It is folks like that we are fighting to liberate from the clutches of that tyrant and will provide character example for, not only Iraquis, but all folks.

[A2J]

YOU DON'T KNOW!

And neither do you, which is exactly why we should be careful to honor her as a hero before the FACTS are in.

It's obvious that you are a newspaper person because of your insatiable need to write something that may not be necessarily the truth.

[A2J]

She is someone others can find considerable worth as a role model.

Agreed, but does that qualify her as a hero?

Goodness, your standard for heroes would include the likes of virtually every sports, political, academic, governmental and minsterial figure in the world.

Would you say that Ghandi is a hero? How about Shaq?

[A2J]

For her to be a hero to some does not threaten you or your heros.

So you would include Jesse Jackson and Louis Farrahkan as "heroes?"

After all, they don't threaten my heroes but are looked at as such by others.

[homeschool_dad]

"investigate her claims ..." I don't believe I've heard her "claim" anything. My understanding is that she is a clerk who was put into a situation way outside the confines of what her normal job classification would have required. She is no "SEAL" or special ops.; how about giving her a little credit?

[A2J]

ALL of our servicemen and women have chosen to be ready to kill and to die for the sake of our country!!! Shame on anyone here who doesn't appreciate that.

Oh, but we do appreciate the fact that they have answered the call of the true patriot, for which they must be honored.

But to declare them all "heroes" belittles a title that should be reverently given to those who go beyond what most of us would even think of doing.

The question is whether we, as a nation, are so needy for heroes that we call virtually anyone a hero?

[lewislynn]

Rescued POW Put Up Fierce Fight

In other words the gorgeous little Jessica has more balls than that whiny, faggy Marine conscientious objecter.

God bless her...I think he has now.

[spunkets]

"Goodness, your standard for heroes would include the likes of virtually every sports, political, academic, governmental and minsterial figure in the world."

Those folks are acting in their own interests and risk nothing, but their own ass, or assets by their activities. Heros on the other hand recieve marginal, or no compensation for their activities and risk a considerable amount. They are motivated by other than their own interests and do not rely on coercing others to attain any goals.

[Semper Paratus]

PFC Lycnh would kick Demi's ass.

[lewislynn]

I wonder who will be the first one to claim the story of Jessica's heroism is bogus...

Wanna bet someone will?

[ewing]

How about Julia Stiles in the movie?

[HairOfTheDog]

What a bizarre analogy. That for someone to be a hero in your mind everyone must agree.

Everyone's heros are their own is all. There is no count of votes required before one or many people can admire and look up to someone. For them to call them a hero.

This is silly. You can set whatever threshold you want. It has no impact on who I admire. I hope to admire many many people and have many heros in my time. You stick to a few if that pleases you.