What - or who - is a hero(ine)?

[AndyHB]

"Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say: This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better. "   Studs Terkel

[JJ]

I suppose a hero is someone who takes things beyond what society will normally put up with.  A campaigner for justice and fairness for example. Or a writer who will write what they see to be the truth even if society disapproves or scoffs.
Karen Armstrong is my hero of the moment.

[AndyHB]

Whilst I appreciate the work done by groups such as 'Help for Heroes', should we really be applying the epithet 'hero' to such folk?  Incidentally, just how does what HfH do differ from that which the British Legion does?

[tranchiebabe]

My youngest sister is a heroine as she has a watching brief and POA where our mother is concerned. The fact that she hasn't murdered her is act of heroism, imo!

[Boudi]

I have a big problem with the word hero.  I do a church service on the whole subject, but I would say that aherop is sopmeone who goes the extra mile.  This is why I have a problem with Help for Heroes.  It seems to suggest that anyone in the armed forces may be a hero, which isn't the case, perhaps even more it suggests that in jured armed forces personnel are heroes.  Being injured doesn't make you a hero, you could be unlucky, or inept.  Being in the armed serbices doesn't make you a hero, it could be a choice made for so many reasons, and of course there are so many other people living out their lives for the service of others.
My hero in life has always been chad varah...I don't know too much about him...but he challenged the status quo...and did something positive about the situation that he found.  He wasn't following orders, and wasn't creating rules...he extended love to others, and that's why he's a hero.  We have to look at motives, rather than make generalisations.

[EliB]

I have a big problem with the word hero.  I do a church service on the whole subject, but I would say that aherop is sopmeone who goes the extra mile.  This is why I have a problem with Help for Heroes.  It seems to suggest that anyone in the armed forces may be a hero, which isn't the case, perhaps even more it suggests that in jured armed forces personnel are heroes.  Being injured doesn't make you a hero, you could be unlucky, or inept.  Being in the armed serbices doesn't make you a hero, it could be a choice made for so many reasons, and of course there are so many other people living out their lives for the service of others.
My hero in life has always been chad varah...I don't know too much about him...but he challenged the status quo...and did something positive about the situation that he found.  He wasn't following orders, and wasn't creating rules...he extended love to others, and that's why he's a hero.  We have to look at motives, rather than make generalisations.

Oh I could not agree more!!! I greatly admire the work that "Help for Heroes" does - it's very much needed, but the title of the organisation makes me feel uncomfortable.
I agree that not everybody in the Armed Forces is a "hero" and not everyone who is injured or dies in the likes of Afghanistan or Iraq is a "hero"...some undoubtedly are - those who have thrown themselves on a IED to protect those around them; those who go into areas of enemy fire to rescue colleagues etc - they ARE heroes! But just being out there and getting injured or killed does not automatically make you a "hero".
When you see the horrendous sights of the corteges coming through Wootton Bassett from RAF Lyneham after the repatriations and the media coverage talking about the "heroes" it always makes me cringe just a little, because as said, dying doesn't automatically make you a hero! And I'm talking as the sister of someone who has been out there several times and is going back in October. She isn't a "hero" just for being in the Forces, she CHOSE to join up and loves the life it has given her. Are we proud of what she's doing? Yes!! but that still doesn't make her a "hero"!!

Like a lot of words/terms these days, it's way overused and so, little by little, it loses its REAL meaning!!!

[EliB]

Whilst I appreciate the work done by groups such as 'Help for Heroes', should we really be applying the epithet 'hero' to such folk?  Incidentally, just how does what HfH do differ from that which the British Legion does?

And I also agree with you Andy, that those working for HfH are not, in themselves, heroes! They are charity workers doing a great job, yes, but NOT heroes!!
Not sure about the actual difference between the work of HfH and the British Legion. We also have Erskine Hospital up here for veterans (old and new!) and a lot of folk around these parts are probably AS likely to give to Erskine as HfH. Much moreso than the British Legion!

[AndrewF]

Entirely agree with you about the misuse and overuse of the word. A hero is someone who stands up to be counted over and above what is required by either society or their duty. If you opt to join the forces your duty is to do whatever your boss tells you to do - so long as it is legal!

[AndyHB]

And I also agree with you Andy, that those working for HfH are not, in themselves, heroes! They are charity workers doing a great job, yes, but NOT heroes!!
Not sure about the actual difference between the work of HfH and the British Legion. We also have Erskine Hospital up here for veterans (old and new!) and a lot of folk around these parts are probably AS likely to give to Erskine as HfH. Much moreso than the British Legion!

  I was actually asking whether we ought to be referring to military personnel as 'heroes'.

[Boudi]

i think she covered that in the post before....

[AndyHB]

i think she covered that in the post before....

so she did, I missed that post; the screen came up with the 2nd one.

[ecuworrier]

always nice to know who is important to folks... had to look this one up:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Armstrong  to discover i believe i had come across her and even attempted to read some of her work (pages rahter than books)

studs terkel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studs_Terkel

great name! i have recently heard some stuff about him on radio 4 social commentator broadcaster/journo ... liked him

and now oops gottago

GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,