Are we "too loose" with the term hero?

[Lanshark]

IMO, assigning the word Hero to someone has nothing to do whether they risked their life to do something. To me it means someone exhibited courage in the face of odds that seemed overwhelming. It could be a teacher, banker, garbage man or a small child.

Personally, I have no trouble calling Max Cleland or John McCain a hero for what they have faced during their Military service. I don't agree with Clelands politics but that had nothing to do with it.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Lanshark

Personally, I have no trouble calling Max Cleland or John McCain a hero for what they have faced during their Military service. I don't agree with Clelands politics but that had nothing to do with it.

I don't think that any would ever doubt that John McCain is a true hero. He was a guest of the Hanoi Hilton where he was beaten on the a regular basis, to the point that he has permanent disabilities. When he was given an opportunity to go home, (his father was a high ranking Naval officer) he REFUSED to leave his men. Two other POW's went home instead. Because of his refusal to go home and desert his men, he was beaten some more. That's heroic.

 

[Abracadabra]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
I don't think that any would ever doubt that John McCain is a true hero. He was a guest of the Hanoi Hilton where he was beaten on the a regular basis, to the point that he has permanent disabilities. When he was given an opportunity to go home, (his father was a high ranking Naval officer) he REFUSED to leave his men. Two other POW's went home instead. Because of his refusal to go home and desert his men, he was beaten some more. That's heroic.

Call me cynical, but I think the difference you really see here is that John McCain is a Republican (in name only) and Max Cleland is a Democrat. Somehow I have a hard time calling one a hero and the other not simply because of their political label.

 

[peachgirl]

Originally posted by Abracadabra
....I think the difference you really see here is that John McCain is a Republican (in name only) and Max Cleland is a Democrat.

Ya' think?

IMO, assigning the word Hero to someone has nothing to do whether they risked their life to do something. To me it means someone exhibited courage in the face of odds that seemed overwhelming. It could be a teacher, banker, garbage man or a small child.

I absolutely agree.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I completely agree that the term 'hero' is over-used and has really started to loose it's meaning.

 

[JimB.]

Is the term overused?? Perhaps. Depends on one's POV I guess.

I can't comment on Mr. Cleland's case, I am not intamately familiar with the details. He HAS shown a lot of courage in overcoming his disabilities, but that in itself does not make one a "hero", IMHO.

In Sen. McCain's case, he absolutely is a hero. I have had the honor of meeting 2 Vietnam POW's, & the torture they suffered is absolutely unimaginable. These men are scarred for life physically. Every one of them. The fact that they did not come home stark raving mad, that they kept faith with their God, country & fellow POW's makes them hero's.

I guess a simple definition (to me) is to be able to overcome one's fear & still be brave & do what needs to be done makes one a hero.