The news media has bandied about the use of the term “hero” about to the point that it has become meaningless. They have made it synonymous with “survivor”. What a shame, for they mean entirely different things. Being a survivor means doing what one has to do with little choice. Being a hero means making the choice of risking loss to oneself for the benefit of another.
Walking five miles in snake infested waters to safety makes you a survivor. Carrying someone on your back for five miles in snake infested waters can make you a hero as does but walking five miles in that same water, picking someone up and then carrying them.
A purple heart means you were injured doing your job. The Congressional Metal of Honor means you risked all you had for the benefit of others, which is far beyond simply doing your job.
All that survive a POW camp certainly are survivors while only a few may actually be heroes. The news media would hail them all as heroes. What a shame. They have taken a very special word and made it meaningless.
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