[Focault's Pendulum]

To every Veteran...Thank You.

[Junior]

The term "hero" has been overused of late, effectively rendering it inconsequential. Your people did their duty; that is the highest honor to which one can aspire. God bless them.

[Aliska]

He was one of many nameless military who worked on the Alkan Highway.

Mine served on that project, too.

My father is my hero but not because of his service to the country. He was a wonderful father and he loved me.

[Ben Bolt]

Sometimes we miss opportunities my friend . On the other hand you are serving now the best that you know how so celebrate that !

[rontorr]

When I was in Vietnam, I was unloading cargo planes that came from the USA, (it takes a whole lotta guys not in uniform to support each one who does), and I used to try to distract myself from where I was by trying to imagine being in the factory where the stuff was made. There is no shame in not being a soldier, only in running away when called to serve in times of crisis.

[visualops]

Junior has it absolutely right. What matters is doing one's part. That goes for those at home and those who serve; we are all part of making this country work. No job is too small.

[Focault's Pendulum]

My apologies to all. My title did not intend to reflect a personal observation.

There are too many unsung people who lived through times, they would better like to forget.

They did not die for their country...but they would have.

They carry the memory of their fallen comrades...inside them.

[fifteendogs]

Everyone who has survived is a hero. What we are and what we will be is based on whatever our forefathers were. If they had given up prior to our births, what would we be today.

Hero, what is a hero? The dictionary defines heroism as the qualities and actions of a hero or heroine. Bravery, nobility or valor. Anyone who can provide progeny for the future is a hero or heroine. Anyone who can maintain the species is a hero.

[ReaganCowboy]

You are, well, wrong. All your forefathers were heroes.

Look up where the word comes from. It comes from Greek mythology.

In mythology and legend, a man, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits, and favored by the gods. A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life: soldiers and nurses who were heroes in an unpopular war. A person noted for special achievement in a particular field: the heroes of medicine. The principal male character in a novel, poem, or dramatic presentation.

I think most American's are heroes if they: pay taxes, participate in our democratic republic, defend liberty when given the opportunity.

Some wear uniforms, and we honor them on Armed Forces Day.

Others wore uniforms, and we honor them on Veteran's Day.

Some died wearing uniforms, and that's what Memorial Day is for.

I like to think the broadest definition of heroes are celebrated on the Fourth of July.

[gatorbait]

You are wrong,Sir, Every man jack of them is a HERO, and so, Sir, are you. Heroism is a chimerical thing. Think how loosely the word it is used by pretty fools .. Sports stars , rock stars,lawyer-politicians, movie stars? Piffle, these are not heros .Your family is a cradle of Heros. Hold your head up, Sir, Proclaim them!! Honor them and yourself.

[Jay D. Dyson]

Anyone who serves their country without thought of self is a hero in my book. Those who give their lives in such service admittedly gain a more exhalted status, but that does not diminish the contributions of others; it adds to it.

I'm reminded of a story of a man who used to walk the beach at low tide, finding stranded starfish and tossing them back into the ocean, essentially saving their lives.

Another man saw what he was doing and scoffed, "What do you mean to accomplish? There are so many starfish stranded, and you're but one man. What you're doing doesn't make any difference at all!"

The first man just smiled, picked up another starfish and tossed it into the ocean. "I made a difference to that one," is all he said.

Something to think about...

-Jay

[OneVike]

99% of all the men and women that ever served in time of war were not Hero's with special medals. But all are Hero's in the true sense.

God bless all the men and women that have spent time serving this great country we call America.

Me? I was in from "73 to "76" I wanted to go to Vietnam (I wasn't too bright) instead I served in Germany and Fort Benning Ga. My M.O.S was 11D10R8 I was a Scout.

>

[litehaus]

I never 'served' because they didn't want me after the medical exam. Before that, they wanted me to go to Kalifornicate to learn Russian because of my record in college of an aptitude for such. HOWEVER,my father, from the time I can remember, had RA and suffered EVERY day of his life more than I ever have. Yeh, I've got a HERO that
I will probably never equal.

[RaceBannon]

I may have led the most exiting life of anyone in my family in recent history, but I sure aint no hero.

The few times we had any exitement in my Peace-time Marine Corps, there may have been those who moved first, but everyone moved right after.

Some didnt come home, but how we tried to contain any situation, all we did was our job.

[Libloather]

My Father served.

So did mine. Tell him thanks - for me...

[kellynla]

I walked point for the Fifth Marines in Viet Nam and I can't tell you how many people it took to keep me alive over the years. From the chopper pilots to the supply clerks to the Fly Boys(air support) to the Dogfaces(artillery), to the Corpsmen who saved my life. They were all my heroes. I may have the medals but I wouldn't have them without the support of many, many, many people. In the eyes of freedom and God we are all heroes! For without us all there is no freedom and without freedom there are no heroes! Semper Fi

[OREALLY]

9/11 showed America the truth about hero's. Every man, woman and child who reached out and helped their fellow Americans, without thought of reward. There are many ways to serve our country, not just the military. God Bless our troops and "all" who serve this great country. God Bless Freepers too because they refuse to by silent and will not give up the fight for freedom.

[centurion316]

My father and I were professional soldiers. He a veteran of WWII and of Vietnam. My combat service was in Vietnam. We were both wounded in action, both decorated for valor and both received the Combat Infantryman's Badge. We were not heros. We both knew a few, but we knew many more who did like us: simply served. They were soldiers and they did their duty as many who served before and after us have done.

But, remember, Memorial Day is not for those who served, it is for those who fell. Remember them, my friends, remember them.

[HitmanLV]

My dad was drafted in July, 1945. He did his basic training and became an MP, serving in the south.

The Japanese surrendered shortly afterwards.

I always kid him that there was a connection between him becoming a GI and the Japanese saying 'No mas!!!' ;-)

My dad's tenure in the army finished a year later. He says he had fun in the service - made lots of pals, played lots of cards, and got out of the NYC region for a while. When called, he served. Everyone was proud of him then, and we are now.

Oh, and he is a hero to me and all his children! :-)

Not a war hero, but

[BeAllYouCanBe]

I was a helicopter crew chief in Vietnam flying hueys made of aluminium cheaply. I flew on the left door holding a machine gun and most people in the Army called me a "gunner". The statistics say that 40,000 were trained as crew chiefs and a smaller number made it to Nam.

Fear of a machine that had 12,000 moving parts and flew into danger was constant. Mistakes in maintenace was the greatest danger and I was in charge of maintence.

Medals - really meant nothing!

[VOYAGER]

My Godfather survived...several first landings in the South Pacific...he would never give me details.

My friend I believe heroes are made not born.

Having served on an amphibious ship for 2 years and had a hand in landing many a brave Soldier and Marine on hostile beaches in the Pacific from Okinawa Shima, Japan to Leyte, P.I. with Lingayen Gulf, Luzon P.I. campaign in between I saw nothing but heroes scrambling ashore to do a horrible job with nothing between them and the murderous ememy fire but their duty and their desire just to survive!

They were mostly kids and are my heroes whether dead now or alive.

As far as your father's and your brother's service to their country as being insignicant don't you believe it for I believe that any one who became a hero in actual combat would have changed places with your father or your brother in a New York minute when the bullets started flying.

So we come full circle heroes are made not born!

I thank them for their obedience to their oath to our wonderful country, God Bless America and her protectors who are you father, your brother and every other American service person who answered the call to arms without questioning why they serve where they served!