This Country Has a Hero Worship Addiction
By Chief Chuck
Have we reached the point to where we have tipped the scales in regards ti the use of the word hero? Bluntly, yes. Yes, we have. And here’s why.
The word hero, as we know it, most likely traces its origins to the late 14th century, meaning "man of superhuman strength or physical courage," from Old French heroe. It also means "hero, demi-god, illustrious man," from the Greek hērōs. This is of uncertain origin; perhaps originally "defender, protector" and from PIE root *ser- (1) "to protect”.
But enough with the English 101 lessons. The point of this article is to highlight what I thinks becoming an often overused moniker. Everyone these days is a ‘hero’ of some sort. During the current pandemic, we witness the nightly news lauding medical workers, EMTs, hell, even grocery store clerks and truck drivers as ‘heroes’, usually in the form of a montage accompanied by the music of the recently passed Bill Withers’ Lean on Me.
Full disclosure here. I’m a Navy veteran. I served 24 plus years. I am not, and never was, a hero. I didn’t give my life to save others (obviously) and personally, I don’t consider anything I did in the line of duty as heroic. Were there sacrifices? Sure, I was deployed, miss my kid’s birthdays, holidays, etc. Was what I did dangerous? Sure. But here’s the thing. I went into to all of that knowing full well it may be hard and what the job description might entail. In other words, no matter how bad it did or could have gotten, I signed up for it. Voluntarily.
People will argue that the heart care workers are just as heroic as the military and I won’t argue the fact that they are indeed facing some trying and difficult situations. I do not intend to belittle their work, sacrifice or efforts. I truly understand. Same with the truck drivers working long hauls to get supplies, food, medicine, etc. to the hospitals, stores and homes. Same for the grocery store workers that have to put up with potentially unprotected work spaces, hostile customers and long hours.
But again, everyone of us works at something we’re either very passionate about or something that makes us money to live and survive. Hopefully, best case, it’s both the same reasons and things, but even still, we all signed up for it, regardless of how bad it is or how unforeseen it was. Heck, that’s life in general, folks.
So maybe we ease up on the title of hero, don’t let it become just another watered down lexicon in our modern language, but still show appreciation, gratitude, support and love for those folks out there doing a hard job in hard times.
Semper Fortis
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The picture above is a headstone. A grave marker. Whose name is on it? When were they born? When did they die? Where were they from, what did they do? You can’t tell, can you? It’s worn, faded, dirty and well, old.
For reference, this marker is located in a Revolutionary War cemetery