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raouldukelives

(5,178 posts)

22. When I think of a war hero my mind turns to Sgt.York.

Wed Apr 18, 2012, 01:33 PM

Apr 2012

Perhaps we dilute the memory and honor of true heroics when we apply it so haphazardly as we do now.
One wonders if one can truly be a hero in an unjust war. Anymore than one could be a true volunteer in wars of choice. If you have to apply, get accepted and then collect a paycheck. Well, I've never thought of that as volunteering. More like employment.
Sgt.York on the other hand was drafted. Tried to be a conscientious objector because of his Christian beliefs and was finally sent off to war. Looking back on his experiences he remarked that the only way he would support going to war again was if it was on American soil.

It's all out of my realm but I think killing is never justified unless it is in self defense. I would defend my little plot of ground with my life if it were invaded. Just as I know so many other Americans would. I always felt if the Iraq Navy ever landed on the coast we could just put an ad in Field & Stream and you'd get thousands of "volunteers" providing their own arms and ammo to push them back.

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I don't think it's healthy or good that we lionize those who serve in the military [View all] cali Apr 2012 OP

Real heroes don't need to be lionized izquierdista Apr 2012 #1

You're right about that, iz. catbyte Apr 2012 #11

Spot on montanacowboy Apr 2012 #2

There's also a subtext I disagree with loyalsister Apr 2012 #3

You can't imagine the hurdles for a civilian montanacowboy Apr 2012 #4

Agree. Arugula Latte Apr 2012 #5

This worship of the military has reached a fever pitch at LibDemAlways Apr 2012 #6

Yep n2doc Apr 2012 #7

I spent 4 years doing absolutely nothing beneficial to anyone.. Tierra_y_Libertad Apr 2012 #8

Could't just say thanks Meiko Apr 2012 #20

What "service"? Tierra_y_Libertad Apr 2012 #26

If I were as embarrassed of my service as you are, I'd NEVER mention it. cherokeeprogressive Apr 2012 #36

I'm not "embarrassed" by it. I just object to the glorification of the military. Tierra_y_Libertad Apr 2012 #44

I am sorry you Meiko Apr 2012 #48

Thanks for a very honest post! Logical Apr 2012 #38

Since we've continued our Imperialistic foreign policy cbrer Apr 2012 #9

R#7 & K. The mostly great Charlie RANGEL nailed it when he said economic necessity was/is UTUSN Apr 2012 #10

Copy it zipplewrath Apr 2012 #12

I think you are on the right track. The other point is... stevenleser Apr 2012 #14

Huge span between criticizing and "heroizing" them zipplewrath Apr 2012 #21

Ah, I misunderstood you. But I didn't mistake the 'criticizing' vs. 'lionizing' stevenleser Apr 2012 #24

Yes zipplewrath Apr 2012 #34

I have a son in the military Marrah_G Apr 2012 #13

It was ever so. Check out whose statues we erect. mainer Apr 2012 #15

I agree with that treestar Apr 2012 #16

+1 onenote Apr 2012 #27

Under that designation, the word hero is meaningless CBGLuthier Apr 2012 #30

The word "hero" has been meaningless for a very long time. cherokeeprogressive Apr 2012 #37

I don't think that is the real problem - if someone is a real hero they deserve to be recognized. jwirr Apr 2012 #17

and part of glorifying war is glorifying those who go to war. cali Apr 2012 #18

Today it sure is. But I do not remember thinking my uncle and his friends WWII were that special jwirr Apr 2012 #19

Always been so zipplewrath Apr 2012 #28

I hear the truth in that. Maybe the reason I did not see a lot of that was because we were a farm jwirr Apr 2012 #29

+1 treestar Apr 2012 #33

When I think of a war hero my mind turns to Sgt.York. raouldukelives Apr 2012 #22

absolutely WCGreen Apr 2012 #23

York was indeed a hero. Another is Guy Gabaldon CBGLuthier Apr 2012 #31

Gabaldon's story's just incredible. Posteritatis Apr 2012 #32

Been saying that for years. Moreover... redgreenandblue Apr 2012 #25

It's not the military that's assumed the posture...it's the politicians who have used them as such.. cynatnite Apr 2012 #35

I disagree. Sparkly Apr 2012 #39

you kind of make my point. cali Apr 2012 #41

EXCELLENT POST REC'd BanTheGOP Apr 2012 #40

I've always respected Oasis_ Apr 2012 #42

ROAAAR! unionworks Apr 2012 #43

Every so often when I see pols/powers that be do what you speak of... rainbow4321 Apr 2012 #45

How DARE you not look at our soldiers as GODS. Zalatix Apr 2012 #46

"makin' mock o' uniforms unionworks Apr 2012 #49

If the military was for what we are supposed to pretend it does then TheKentuckian Apr 2012 #47

Lionizing Them Serves the State's Needs smoking357 Apr 2012 #50

Generally speaking, new recruits in the military are better educated than their immediate peers. SlimJimmy Apr 2012 #51

But what are the functions of this? JackRiddler Apr 2012 #52

kick cali May 2012 #53