I Have No Heroes In My Family (Memorial Day Thoughts)

FP

[Focault's Pendulum]

I never served. Given the chance to do it again, I would.

My Father served. He lived on a glacier during much of WWII. He had three stripes on his sleeve. He was one of many nameless military who worked on the Alkan Highway.

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

My brother served in Berlin during the sixties...he came back broken from having served on the Wall.

No one in my family were heroes.

[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.

[God luvs America]

I would agree...I never served. Growing up under the Jimmy Carter failure there was no way I considered serving under his leadership, and now I wish I had.

In many ways I think it makes me appreciate our veterans much more; knowing they were willing to sacrifice what I never did.

In a strange sort of irony I try and make up for it now as best I can(going to the same Memorial Day ceremony in my hometown every Memorial Day, saying "F-U" to Paris in July of 2000 on the last day of my honeymoon and instead of sightseeing in the city on what was our only day in that God-forsaken nation, touring the D-Day Beaches to pay homage to our boys), standing on Broadway in NYC May of 1986 watching a belated ticker tape parade for our Vietnam Vets and as a 22-year about to graduat college doing my best not to cry out loud.

One of the most profound experiences ever was spending Memorial Day weekend back in 1998 in our Nation's capital. It was so emotional for me and my girlfriend (now my wife). Seeing, hearing and feeling Rolling Thunder, taking in the sights, visiting Arlington Cementary on Memorial Day morining and going to the Vietnam Wall on three different occasions.

The highlight, and I knew it would be, was sitting on the lawn of the Capitol for the National Memorial Day Concert. It's on PBS tomorrow at 8PM and highly reccomended; I've yet to miss one but being there live was really special!

[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.

[rontorr]

... appreciate our veterans much more; knowing they were willing to sacrifice what I never did. ...

sometimes I find myself feeling guilty about some of the missions I was supposed to be on, but was replaced at the last minute by someone else, it seems like those were the missions where my replacement usually got killed or hurt, then I wake up and realize that God had a different job for me in the future

[cajun-jack]

well my friend, if you truly want to be a hero, as commander of the local DAV chapter here in my hometown, i can offer these words of advice.

What will truly make you a hero, go thru your library and gather all the books you either didn't like or don't want to ever read again.....all your reader's digest condensed volumes and any magazines you don't need in your "throne room" any more and take them all to the nearest V.A. hospital. They will gladly accept them with an adoration of you that even you haven't see from your wife since your honeymoon.

If you have an extra few minutes, just ride the elevator up to the room floors and go room to room and shake hands with a few of the guys and say "thank you"....you will see faces light up brighter than the north star on Christmas eve....you dont have to be a "hero" to be a hero.

[Focault's Pendulum]

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

my friend...those who know me...recognise the irony in my words. Of course you are correct.

[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.

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[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