Leaf: to see your question, you obviously are anti-military, so for this young man to die for your right to ask a question like that... yes he is a hero. try serving an ungreatful country and the ungreatful people who won't serve but expect the freedoms and then talk poo about our military.. then you'll see why they are heros
#4 - by ldcael
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My freedom was never threatened, i live in a neutral country. I was just trying to understand why every fighter is called a hero in the US, no disrespect intended.
#5 - by The Leaf
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I am also a non-american, and I am dismayed by this glorification of violence. The truth is, Iraq is an illegal invasion of a country that never threatened the US. They had no WMD's, they had nothing to do with 911 or harbouring bin laden. In fact, it poses a greater danger to the US and the world now than it ever did, because it is a breeding ground for militants and terrorists. A hero is not someone who simply signs up to fight in a war, it's much more than that. Some of the things these "heros" have done in Iraq sickens me to my very core, it is inhuman, and they come home and are hailed as "defenders of freedom"?? Have you ever seen "Collateral murder"? Watch it, it might change your mind.
#7 - by 0Phoenix0
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leaf: thank you for clarifying.. I apoligize, I forget sometime that the world wide web is indeed worldwide. the reason we look on our soldiers as heros in the U.S. is because ours is an all voluntary army and as such only a certain type of person is willing to take long hours, relatively low pay compared to what could be made as a civilian, and going into harms way to places that others in our country think we should not go to, and instead of taking it up with the powers that be, they take it out on our soldiers, so because of the things they endure for others in our country who hate them and others around the world who hate them and then when they die, become disabled or even when they have finished serving honorably we count them as heros for doing a task a vast majority in our country, while they love their freedom, are unwilling or unable to do, because there aren't very many leaders is this country that are honorable like a U.S. Military person
#8 - by ldcael
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I'm not an American, but i have the highest respect for soldiers, sailors, pilots and all other military personnel. Yes, the war was not just, although i do think their aim of dissolving the dictatorship was the correct thing to do. but don't take my word for it, i only really have a shallow understanding of the war. but nonetheless, to the OP, God bless your son, he is a true hero. i will not say im pro-war, but after reading books and watching documentaries ( i know, its still a very shallow understanding), many servicemen whilst doubting their need to be in a foreign country still continued their mission. its not just because they volunteered to defend their country, but its because they are there to protect the man next to him. its about your brothers. your friends. and after all these years, the family they have become. i know that sounds insanely corny, i really do admire soldiers who would risk their lives in order to protect the man next to them. and its because of that, that the term "hero" is the perfect term for these men and women.
#9 - by guestuser
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That's okay if you don't agree with the war. Those soldiers are going over there willing to fight for you to keep your opinions. You don't have to call them a hero, but because of them you can think the way you do... Your son was brave for joining... This is a scary thought for me though my brother was over in Afghanstan, and i honestly have no idea what he did or went through. I wonder if he is having those same thoughts, or did.
#10 - by danielaxo
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But that's exacty the point, in Iraq ( and NOT neccessessarily in other wars) those soldiers aren't fighting for anyone's freedom, or to preserve anyone's right to free speech. Iraq never posed a threat to the US, or to the western world. This was is about politics, and business, and I don't think there is any honour in it whatsoever. Just to clarify, I'm not against all war, "defensive" wars, like WW1 and WW2 were different, they were clearly morally justifiable, but this one isn't.
#11 - by 0Phoenix0
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Your son is a good man. I am grateful for his service. Thank you for raising a hero
#13 - by mockey
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