These days we throw the word "Hero" around too liberally.  I agree that our men and women in uniform are serving our nation with honor and courage and we should support them and recognize what we owe them.  It is a very big deal.  Our police and firemen and EMTs and other rescue- and "first responders" serve with courage and often go "above and beyond".  But does the term "Hero" apply to every single one of them that shows up for work every day?  In my day, being a hero meant you were something special, something extra, something "above and beyond" the call of duty.  If everyone is elevated to hero status, how do you recognize those who are exceptional in their actions?  On the Marine Corps Memorial in DC is the quote from Chester Nimitz, speaking about the Marines who fought for Iwo Jima he said, "Uncommon valor was a common virtue".  In his way he was recognizing that everyone on that island was special;  they all had heroic qualities;  but were they all "Heroes"? 

The military recognizes that not everyone who shows up rates hero status...but it also allows that showing up deserves recognition.  Every campaign and every major conflict has its own "Service Medal"....there is a Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, a Southwest Asia Service Medal (for DESERT STORM)  and I am sure there is one for Afghanistan and the second Iraq war as well.  Show up in the theater and you get pinned.  There are varying levels of awards for valor to denote the fact that some acts are greater than just showing up and some are so blazingly awesome they deserve something special.  If you are awarded the absolute highest award for bravery, the Congressional Medal of Honor (and are alive when you get it), for the rest of your life every officer you come in contact with is required to salute you...a small but meaningful role reversal. 

There is a story making the rounds and I don't know the particulars or if it is even true but it illustrates a point about heroes:  A young Marine company commander called for a dress uniform inspection and was upset when one of his senior NCOs showed up without all of his medals and ribbons displayed.  The commander berated him and ordered him to go correct his uniform with all of his appropriate awards and decorations displayed.  In a few minutes the old sergeant returned stark naked with the Medal of Honor around his neck.  Just because they don't display them, doesn't mean they didn't earn them.

One of the earmarks of military heroes is that they don't usually go around bragging about how they got to be so decorated.  In fact, at a formal military dinner called a "Dining In" or "Dining Out" (depending on who is allowed to attend) it is an infraction to ask another soldier about the ribbons displayed on his uniform which costs anywhere from a quarter to a dollar into the penalty bowl.

Military medals are focused mainly on acts during war.  If you do a good job in peacetime you can get an award for it, but acts of bravery in peacetime are usually lumped in with your job performance award.  On rare occasions a special award will be given for exceptional bravery if lifesaving is involved...the Army calls it a "Soldiers Medal" (I don't know if the other services have something similar).

How can you recognize a hero?  Is it because they regale you with stories of their exploits?   There is an axiom in the Army that says, "Those who talk don't know, those who know don't talk".  I served with one of the most well known, colorful, and heroic spotter plane pilots of the Vietnam War for two years without realizing who he was.  He never told anyone.  I found out when his wife showed up at the office with a huge birthday cake:  Snoopy flying his Sopwith Camel doghouse, wearing his leather flying helmet, goggles, and his white scarf,  and the lettering across the cake said "Happy Birthday to the Red Baron".  I had to explain to several of the younger service members in attendance that this was The Baron of Phan Rang.  Because the "Baron" never mentioned that he was the Baron featured in Argosy or one of those men's adventure mags;  the young captain who flew hundreds of missions in a tiny little "Bird Dog" airplane, flitting around barely above the trees, flying over enemy positions coordinating air and artillery strikes on those positions.

When the grandaughter of the old WWII vet (featured in the "Band of Brothers" mini-series) asked him if he was a hero, he said, "I'm not a hero, but I served with them".  I have served with heroes.  I have also heard wannabes fill a room with stories of dering-do, true or not?  Who knows?  But you know what no one has ever heard boasted? 

"I was the first guy to walk on the moon..."

"I was nearly killed flying X-15s to the edge of space..."

"I was a top test pilot before I was an astronaut..."

"They had to make up a new medal for my stuff..."

"The President of the USA called me..."

Though he could have rightfully made those claims, it would never cross Neil Armstrong's mind to do so.  He was a quiet, unassuming man who let his actions and not his own words define his greatness.  He never blew his own horn.  Know why?  Because he was a hero.  He truly "Boldly went where no man had gone before..."

Now he has died and the old soldiers' toast pops into my mind:  "Here's to us and those like us...damned few left".  The heroes of our youth are dying out...and sadness accompanies that loss.   I can't help but remember the words of General George Patton:  "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died.  Rather we should thank God that such men lived."

I think I will thank God...and follow the admonition of the Armstrong family when they told us that when we look up at the night sky and see the moon we should think of Neil and give a wink.