Bravery and heroism are almost impossible to define - especially by one who has never been nor needed to be brave or heroic - and I would never judge the difference between one person's act of heroism and another's. Does a spontaneous act of bravery such as the Royal Marine who threw himself on a grenade to save his oppos make him more or less of a hero than the rational actions of those involved in EOD? I can't answer that.

As far as I'm concerned, anyone - male or female - who deploys on operations where there's a chance that they might lose their lives, minds and /or parts of their body, is brave. To label every one as a hero though - some might think it too much, but as MDN said, why not?

My own view is that every soldier killed or injured as the result of enemy action has earned the title "hero" through the spilling of his or her blood. As for the collective term "heroes" when used to describe the troops, I don't have a problem with that either. I'm in no way blind to 'your' human failings - Kipling's "single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints" is as relevant today as it ever was - but I think the term is appropriate and not currently over-used.

Pondering the perception of the general public and the increase in 'stand up and be counted' support for the armed forces, I remember reading this quote in a magazine several years ago and it sums up my feelings and (I suspect) the feelings of the vast numbers of people donating time and money to H4H and the other Forces charities:

We can't all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.
Will Rogers

What is a hero you ask? Well....

A hero according to Bonnie *Tylor*, what better expert?

1) A street-wise Hercules who fights the rising odds.

2) A white knight upon a fiery steed

3) Late at night she tosses and turns and dreams of what she needs (ie a hero)

4) She is holding out for you 'till the end of the night

5) A hero's gotta be strong, he's gotta be fast and he's be fresh from the fight

6) He’s gotta be sure, he's gotta be soon and he’s gotta be larger than life.

7) A hero is racing on the thunder and rising with the heat he's a superman to sweep her off her feet

8.) A hero is up where the mountains meet the heavens above; out where the lightning splits the sea; A hero is someone somewhere watching women (ie a filthy retarded stalker)


Although a more realistic definition may be the ones who don't get down on their luck about first experiencing constipation in their late teens/early 20s.

Editted to correct shoite knowledge of 80s singers

Originally Posted by Doug_Hole

A hero according to Bonnie Langford, what better expert?

I think you mean Bonnie Tyler!

TYLER

Originally Posted by tropper66

TYLER

and she's gay, tried to pull her once in Swansea

How many times have I got to ask not to de rail this thread?

Which part of it are you not grasping?

I came out 10 years ago this month,4 tours across the water and no one ever called me a hero,not that I ever gave a f uck.
Todays lads going out on ops knowing full well that they are going to get into some heavy contacts guaranteed. Well,if civvies want to call them heroes,why the f uck not? After all,what have the British Army being doing the last 60 years,but the goverment's dirty work?

I have my own ideas on this one, ill keep them to myself

Originally Posted by Fallschirmjager

I've noticed a recent trend to use the word "hero" to any soldier, sailor or airman who dies on current operations. Does being killed on operations actually make you a hero? The definition of hero in the dictionary is:

"A person who is admired for having done something very brave or having achieved something great"

I realise sentimentality plays an important role in the death of any serviceman (or woman) but does being killed on operations make you a hero? If not, why not? If so, why?

My Bold

Are we not happy to admit that anyone who bothers to serve in these places qualifes under these criteria?

That said, I believe it depends on who is commenting. I would not call the Rgr I had to rescue (reluctantly) from being stuffed out a sanger window for falling asleep a hero, but Im happy to let others back home use the term librally.

As has been said, take the compliments while they are on offer!

A Premiership footballer who wins a cup final surely.

The word is thrown about for just about anyone who wants it these days.

Like alot of words that become overused it devalues the genuine recipients of the compliment.

Why should a Fire Fighter who recieves burns rescuing someone from a fire be put in the same category as Lewis Hamilton for his "Heroic" efforts in F1.

I think members of The Public who use it as a term to compliment members of the armed forces do so with the best intentions. However I certainly wouldn't cut about saying I was a hero. The status that such "Titles" should bring should also require the recipient to act in such a manner that it is well earned and they are infact deserving.

I have a friend in mind when I say that some people are deserving of the title even though their actions have never been recognised. He knows this however I wouldn't dream of calling him a Hero. I call him a Tw4t over a pint and the nod and wink I get in return tells me he understands I mean "Thanks for the oppurtunity you gave me in order to be sat here drinking this pint."