Hero: A hero (masculine or gender-neutral) or heroine (feminine) (Ancient Greek: ἥρως, hḗrōs) is a person or character who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, displays courage, bravery or self-sacrifice—that is, heroism—for some greater good; a man or woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his/her brave deeds and noble qualities. (definition from Wikipedia)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This past week, businessman & Republican presidential hopeful, Donald Trump stated in an interview that Senator John McCain, former Vietnam POW, is not a hero. He's not a hero because he was captured.
John McCain's response was that he didn't considered himself a hero either. That Trump was right. That those he served under in the war were the real heroes.
As the daughter of a Vietnam vet, I am all too familiar with how vets view themselves. I have never met one that considered himself a hero. He simply went and did a job. He served his country because of the love of his country. He's not a hero.
My father was injured during the war, earning a Purple Heart. However, he turned it down because he didn't do anything to earn it. He had seen so many friends severely injured and even die that to him. his injury wasn't anything big. He was simply doing his job.
Trump is wrong though.... I feel as though any man or woman that is in the military is automatically a hero - whether we are at war or at peace. They are signing up to put their lives on the line so that the rest of us can live comfortably in our homes with all of our freedoms.
Mr. Trump - I am a conservative Republican, but I am also the daughter of a Vietnam vet. I can assure you that from this day forward you will NOT ever get my vote. Even if you get the nomination, I still will not vote for you. That doesn't mean I'd vote for your opponent. I'd rather write in a candidate's name than to cast my vote for you.
The next year is going to be an interesting one. Mud slinging at its finest.
Many blessings,
