Once again as I have done for many years, this liberal, who is a true patriot and loves this country, sends my deepest thanks and respect out to the people who serve in the military, past and present. I have personally contacted and directly thanked all of my friends who have done this great service for our country. Veteran's Day and Memorial Day are real days of celebration, not dumb manufactured holidays like Valentine's or the commercialized Xmas.
But now, on the topic of "heroes", I have to say that since the 9-11 attack the term "hero" has been overapplied to so many people that it has lost a lot of significance and meaning. There is a big difference between "doing your job", and "doing a heroic act". Putting your life in a "directly risky situation" in order to save others is "heroic". Cooking meals for soldiers or running a military laundry in a noncombat zone is NOT heroic. Sitting in an office in the Pentagon all day is not heroic. It is simply doing your job, a job that serves the country and deserves a lot of respect, but not a medal for heroism.
I think we need to reclaim the term "hero", and start using it only in reference to the people who earn it.
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