Hero?

[Tim]

I have seen many threads throughout the years discussing what a hero is, either directly or indirectly.

So what is your definition of a hero?
Can you be a hero simply by choice of profession?
Is a doctor, fireman, police officer or soldier a hero because they hold that position or do they need to go above and beyond to be considered a hero?


The reason I ask, is because I see the term thrown around too much in my opinion. I think that the term has been watered down and it takes away from those who truly are hero's.

 

[Thornless]

I have seen many threads throughout the years discussing what a hero is, either directly or indirectly.

So what is your definition of a hero?
Can you be a hero simply by choice of profession?
Is a doctor, fireman, police officer or soldier a hero because they hold that position or do they need to go above and beyond to be considered a hero?


The reason I ask, is because I see the term thrown around too much in my opinion. I think that the term has been watered down and it takes away from those who truly are hero's.

I've had a few heroes in my life so far.

My mother is one of my heroes, she scraped and clawed her way through tough times always putting her kids before herself to make sure we were happy, fed and kept us unaware how poor we were growing up. We were the richest kids of all in my eyes.

When my daughter went in fetal distress, my Doctor warned us how serious it could get if I tried to continue to deliver her... he performed the surgery for my Cesarean and delivered my daughter safely is one of them.

For me, its people going above and beyond what is expected of anyone, putting others before themselves... making a big difference in someone's life.

 

[Mystic]

i think a hero is someone who saves someone or does something to help another without looking to be a hero. I don't consider fireman or police heros in that sense as that is their job and something they have to do. A hero doesn't have to do it, they just do.

Heros are the nameless people we hear about but no one ever knows their names because they leave before any one can find out who they are, or they decline any sort of reward or spot light on their heroism.

 

[Tim]

I've had a few heroes in my life so far.

My mother is one of my heroes, she scraped and clawed her way through tough times always putting her kids before herself to make sure we were happy, fed and kept us unaware how poor we were growing up. We were the richest kids of all in my eyes.

When my daughter went in fetal distress, my Doctor warned us how serious it could get if I tried to continue to deliver her... he performed the surgery for my Cesarean and delivered my daughter safely is one of them.

For me, its people going above and beyond what is expected of anyone, putting others before themselves... making a big difference in someone's life.

Interesting... So anyone can be a hero to someone else. More of a personal feeling that a category.

 

[Springsteen]

So what is your definition of a hero?

Somebody who goes beyond their means or ability to do something extraordinary to enrich somebody else's life or something else for the better.

Is a doctor, fireman, police officer or soldier a hero because they hold that position?

Not for me, I'll explain why. It's expected of a Doctor to save lives, its expected of a fireman to put fires out and save people from burning buildings. The second part of that question is where they perhaps become heroes in that they have to go beyond their call of duty so to speak.

I mean I have talked in the past about the time I saved a Girl from choking in the street. Am I a hero? I dont think so. It's just something that had to be done at the time. I took a first aid course and learnt how to do what i did so its not anything out of the ordinary really.

 

[Tim]

i think a hero is someone who saves someone or does something to help another without looking to be a hero. I don't consider fireman or police heros in that sense as that is their job and something they have to do. A hero doesn't have to do it, they just do.

I agree with this 100%. My brother is a full time fireman and has pulled people from burning buildings. He and I have had this discussion before, that he is doing his job and nothing more. Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate that he does his job and that people like him want to serve the community, but that doesn't make him a hero.

 

[Tim]

I mean I have talked in the past about the time I saved a Girl from choking in the street. Am I a hero? I dont think so. It's just something that had to be done at the time. I took a first aid course and learnt how to do what i did so its not anything out of the ordinary really.

I'm sure you are a hero to her... I think this goes back to my thinking that most hero's are only hero's to those they are connected to.

 

[Lord Stanley]

above an beyond a normal course of action, need not just be saving life

helping someone without being asked can be a form of heroism, as Tim rightly says it is a personal defintion

 

[Thornless]

Interesting... So anyone can be a hero to someone else. More of a personal feeling that a category.

In a way, I guess it's more of a personal hero in that aspect... but really anyone who is labeled a hero is just that... to someone else they are nothing special, just another person.

 

[dt3]

My definition would be doing anything that puts someone else's well-being ahead of your own. And I think firefighters, police, and the military all do that.

 

[Tim]

My definition would be doing anything that puts someone else's well-being ahead of your own. And I think firefighters, police, and the military all do that.

I put my wife and childs well-being ahead of my own everyday... so that makes me a hero?

 

[Thornless]

My definition would be doing anything that puts someone else's well-being ahead of your own. And I think firefighters, police, and the military all do that.

I agree, that's what I was trying to say pretty much...

 

[Lord Stanley]

I put my wife and childs well-being ahead of my own everyday... so that makes me a hero?

i bet your child sees you as a hero

 

[Thornless]

I put my wife and childs well-being ahead of my own everyday... so that makes me a hero?

Absolutely, your child is going to look up to you like you are. I know Amara already does to Bryan.

 

[dt3]

I put my wife and childs well-being ahead of my own everyday... so that makes me a hero?

At least to them, yes.

 

[Tim]

At least to them, yes.

Even though I may be a hero to my son, it doesn't make me a hero to anyone else.

On that logic, a fireman may be a hero to the ones he saved, but it doesn't make him a hero to anyone else. Right? :dunno

 

[Kyle B]

I agree with this 100%. My brother is a full time fireman and has pulled people from burning buildings. He and I have had this discussion before, that he is doing his job and nothing more. Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate that he does his job and that people like him want to serve the community, but that doesn't make him a hero.

I'd view your brother as a hero, it's even his job to be one! Although it may be his job to run into burning buildings and rescue people, he's still putting himself in danger to help others. He could have chosen a different profession and kept himself out of harms way. Instead, he chose to save lives, that makes him a hero in my book. :thumbup

 

[Thornless]

The Greek meaning of the word literal means "protector" or "defender"

 

[Grin]

The modern day definition of a hero is a person known for his or her achievements or noble acts. The mythological definition of a hero is a figure (normally a god) that has superior strengths or magical abilities.

I personally do not think there is such a thing as a hero, only heroic acts.

We constantly call people heros when in fact they are role models, or inspirational people. Being willing to do something heroic doesn't make you a hero. It makes you a role model. In fact sometimes it may be that a person wouldn't normally help anyone, but in a given moment they rise to it, unplanned and unexpected.

Role models live and behave in exemplary ways (maybe only in a small part of their lives), and those who make us want to do the same are inspirations. This may or may not involve heroic acts.

PS I have a real problem with the word 'legend'. Now THERE'S a term that is bandied around too easily!

 

[Margene]

My definition would be doing anything that puts someone else's well-being ahead of your own. And I think firefighters, police, and the military all do that.

I agree and go with that definition myself Donnie. I definitely see them as heroes because they are putting their lives at risk to do that job. Not everyone chooses those occupations and so that makes them special and yes heroes in my eyes.


Further, anyone who puts themselves into a life threatening situation to save/help others is a hero!