What makes someone a hero?
It seems like it's a simple question, but MSNBC host Chris Hayes caused a firestorm when he said on Memorial Day weekend that he was uncomfortable calling people heroes just because they served in the military.
"Why do I feel so uncomfortable about the word 'hero'? I feel uncomfortable about the word hero because it seems to me that it is so rhetorically proximate to justifications for more war," Hayes said Sunday on MSNBC. "I don’t want to obviously desecrate or disrespect the memory of anyone that’s fallen, and obviously there are individual circumstances in which there is genuine, tremendous heroism, you know, hail of gunfire, rescuing fellow soldiers and things like that. But it seems to me that we marshal this word in a way that is problematic. But maybe I’m wrong about that."
Hayes' remarks immediately sparked a backlash, with some saying it was inappropriate to say such things about those putting their lives on the line to fight for their country.
Hayes issued an apology Monday, saying he understood why people were angry that someone who had never served or dealt with the cost of wars would make such a statement. His apology reads:
"On Sunday, in discussing the uses of the word 'hero' to describe those members of the armed forces who have given their lives, I don't think I lived up to the standards of rigor, respect and empathy for those affected by the issues we discuss that I've set for myself. I am deeply sorry for that.
"As many have rightly pointed out, it's very easy for me, a TV host, to opine about the people who fight our wars, having never dodged a bullet or guarded a post or walked a mile in their boots. Of course, that is true of the overwhelming majority of our nation's citizens as a whole. One of the points made during Sunday's show was just how removed most Americans are from the wars we fight, how small a percentage of our population is asked to shoulder the entire burden and how easy it becomes to never read the names of those who are wounded and fight and die, to not ask questions about the direction of our strategy in Afghanistan, and to assuage our own collective guilt about this disconnect with a pro-forma ritual that we observe briefly before returning to our barbecues.
"But in seeking to discuss the civilian-military divide and the social distance between those who fight and those who don't, I ended up reinforcing it, conforming to a stereotype of a removed pundit whose views are not anchored in the very real and very wrenching experience of this long decade of war. And for that I am truly sorry."
Hayes' remarks beg the question: Who exactly is a hero? We'd like to hear from you. We'd like you to sound off in the comments below or hit the button below to send a video comment to iReport. Do you think Hayes was out of line in his comments? Do you understand what he was saying?
Must you have served in combat to be a hero? Does enlisting alone make you one? Should that word be reserved for the military? Or does it apply to people who put themselves above others?
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I have been serving this great country for 7 years. I have been to Iraq twice and one tour in Afghanistan. That still doesn't make me a hero.
Hero? My father, recently passed away – WWII vet – was a hero – but he never talked about it – how do i know he was a hero? When the VA sent a bronze star to put on his grave head stone. I never knew, he never mentioned it – mainly because of the nightmares he had after the war that only time could heal. Hero has many different definitions – all a different scale of gray.
I can't believe these people get paid to sit around discussing this kind of stuff. Do they really think their Blues Brothers inspired Ray Bans make them some sort of expert on this topic or any other topic? This is the problem with society. The very people giving advice have absolutely no experience whatsoever. It reminds me of Obama when he was elected to run our country. Did anyone care that the guy had absolutely no business or military experience? Then everyone acts all surprise when nothing gets done under his administration. I wish there was a requirement that U.S. Presidents have to have military and business experience so they can at least related to the people of the U.S.
Midas, George Bush had both and we know what that got us,.
I agree with Chris Hayes, and he should stand his ground and not retract what he said.
The word "hero" is bantered about too lightly and too nonchalantly today...to the point that the word has lost a lot of its significance. Just because someone joins the service for education benefits, or GI benefits, or as a start to their life's path after high school, etc., and then finds himself sent to Afghanistan for a tour of a few months, that doesn't make him a "hero."
Chris who?......never heard of him. I doubt Greg these men and women JUST sign up for the education beneftis, bonuses and free meals...they DO have access to media and DO understand there were two wars going on and would probably be deployed. Someone has to take out your trash, wash your used dishes when you eat out, change your oil, clean the sheets and dirty towels you leave behind at a hotel. And finally someone has to keep all those people and yourself safe and sound from enemies around the world....AND to give you the right to voice your opinion and MINE included. Next time you see a service man in uniform, go up to him/her and shake their hand and tell them thank you. They would appreciate it......God Bless You
Still, if they didnt fight, then who would? Hero's make a difference and its because they fight to defend our freedoms that you can say whatever you want....no matter how ignorant it is.
Chris Hayes? This is the same kind of guy that would have spat on our veterans returning from Vietnam. Men and women that are deployed to any combat zone deserve our recognition. Do certain soldiers serve with heroic distinction you bet. Remember politicians decide wars soldiers follow orders. Serve for a few months? Let me me check 3 tours = almost 34 months buddy. Guys like you and Chris Hayes deserve each other.
For me its very simple, anyone who is protecting or saving my family from potential harm and is ensuring our liberties is a hero and I thank those who work in a profession that may put them in harms way on a moments notice.
As being a combat vet, wounded and decorated... Heroes are those who are dead. If your alive you are fortunate. If you want to be called a hero your weak minded
We all have to understand that the recent wars have been activated after 9/11 and the word HERO has been thrown around rather frquently. Most americans at that time were joining because either they wanted an education after serving or wanted no part of college and needed work. They did not join because they wanted to defend our country, but rather to better themselfs in a respectful way. Unfortunatly, war came to them, they did not go to war. Our men and women today ARE joing to defent our country. So, all are true american soldiers, but not all are true HEROS. Peace...
Not all military people are heroes, there are many among them who go above and beyond there call of duty who are. People tend to call firemen heroes which they are not, they are trained and paid to do a job which they do well but are not heroes, the hero is a bystander who has no training and who is not being paid that runs into a burning building to rescue somebody. The word Hero is way over used these days, just because you have a job that puts your life in danger doesn't make you a Hero.
A hero is defined in one definition of Webster's as "one who shows great courage". A fireman is someone who is trained to enter a burning building, evaluate the situation, exectue a plan to save anyone in there and escape unharmed. His/her courage is called upon EVERY DAY........that's a hero overused......something money can't buy. Think about that if you ever have a fire........
Anyone that signs up to be a firefighter knows beyond a doubt, that they will have to run into burning buildings many times in their career, to save people – sometimes even animals. THIS, is somehow not a hero? You are definitely used up, Mr. overused...
limbaugh may be a road scholar but not a rhode scholar lol.
There are many members of the military who are heroes. Although, in recent years I believe Hayes has some validity in his prior statement. This country has become very numb to these ongoing, pre-emptive wars. I fear rhetoric used with the fallen is an easy way for politicians to keep the conversation of these wars away from that of a more rational one.
During Memorial Day ceremonies that I was participating in, I had a 4th grade child come up to me. I was dressed in my Class A uniform. He tugged at my sleeve and asked me, "Are you a hero?" I looked down at the child, then knelt down to him and responded, "I don't know son. What I do know is that you need to be honest, do the right thing, and treat everyone with respect. You do that then you're well on your way to being a hero to someone." The term hero is used a lot these days. Personally, I'd rather be called a good person and never have to be in the most demanding situations that require heroic actions. If and when that time comes...we'll see if the term hero is apt.
Overused. I just graduated college and was excepted into dental school. I joined the military so they would pay for my 300K dollars in tuition.. Does that make me a hero? No. I respect fallen victims and people who put their life on the line ,but many people, like myself join for the benefits not for any other reason at all and I don't ever want anyone to thank me for my service. I did it for myself not my country. The brutal and honest truth.
Thank you ... for admitting that you are a leech.
Dental school? You can't even spell accepted (excepted) whatever!
There is a problem if people try to define what a hero is??? If we can't define it, why would we apply it to anyone? A Marine who goes above and beyond, risks life and limb to save a fallen comrade is equally as heroic as any other person who enlisted as a Marine?? Even if that Marine's service is a state-side desk job in Milwaukee??? You HAVE to defne the word or else it means nothing. To toss around a word like hero and have it mean nothing diminishes the true heroism that is displayed by some service members. Let's not confuse "service" (something that should be honored and appreciated) and "herosim" (an obvious subset of service) and let's not undervalue either of them.
Hayes asked a perfectly legitimate question ... the term hero is definitely overused, misused and cheapened by the abuse.
I think a 'hero' is someone who has a lifestyle of going above and beyond the call of duty. So whether that be a soldier, a fireman, police officer, teacher, and even a politician or lawyer. People like these stand for others which is great, but a hero, despite the pressures that surround them, stays standing (or dies trying). So I don't think every soldier is a hero, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate them. A 'hero' is not simply a profession, its an individual of sacrificial character. I guess its more common to have heros in the army.
Nine out of ten soldiers NEVER see combat but they all sacrifice. I could care less about this article or how people define heroes. Words such as hero and love are over used and mean nothing now. What I do demand is respect for anyone who sacrifices for others: police, firefighters and emergency, our men and women in the military AND people like parents and grandparents who WORK every day of their lives instead of leaching off the system. They are all good and true people who do for others and are worthy of respect.