Am I Wrong Here?

[Threefingeredjack]

Tonight on the news there was coverage of the ceremonial finishing of the Boston Marathon. A fitting and appropriate thing to do. But one of the lines in the story struck me as a little over the top, and maybe I'm wrong. The comment was made about the "heroic first responders who rushed to aid the victims" What? They rushed to aid the victims because it is their job. It's what they do day in and day out. It is how they make their living.

The media seems to overhype every story like this. Was the aid needed? Without doubt. Was their service quick and effective? No doubt. Was their performance "heroic"???? Mehhhh....no. The scale was unusual, but it seems that since 9/11 the media seems bent on making everyone a victim, and anyone who does something vital a hero. This, IMHO, tends to cheapen the actions of those who truly do perform heroic service. Or maybe I'm just turning into a crotchety old man.

 

[simtech]

Tonight on the news there was coverage of the ceremonial finishing of the Boston Marathon. A fitting and appropriate thing to do. But one of the lines in the story struck me as a little over the top, and maybe I'm wrong. The comment was made about the "heroic first responders who rushed to aid the victims" What? They rushed to aid the victims because it is their job. It's what they do day in and day out. It is how they make their living.

The media seems to overhype every story like this. Was the aid needed? Without doubt. Was their service quick and effective? No doubt. Was their performance "heroic"???? Mehhhh....no. The scale was unusual, but it seems that since 9/11 the media seems bent on making everyone a victim, and anyone who does something vital a hero. This, IMHO, tends to cheapen the actions of those who truly do perform heroic service. Or maybe I'm just turning into a crotchety old man.

Could it have been heroic because of the unknown? It's not everyday cops, firefighters, and emt run to a bombing.. military wise it would be another day at the job.

But I agree it is there job to aide but I can also see the heroic part as well. But the media loves to hype stuff which drives me nuts.

Again this is just how I view it right or wrong.

 

[Sac Arrow]

Tonight on the news there was coverage of the ceremonial finishing of the Boston Marathon. A fitting and appropriate thing to do. But one of the lines in the story struck me as a little over the top, and maybe I'm wrong. The comment was made about the "heroic first responders who rushed to aid the victims" What? They rushed to aid the victims because it is their job. It's what they do day in and day out. It is how they make their living.

The media seems to overhype every story like this. Was the aid needed? Without doubt. Was their service quick and effective? No doubt. Was their performance "heroic"???? Mehhhh....no. The scale was unusual, but it seems that since 9/11 the media seems bent on making everyone a victim, and anyone who does something vital a hero. This, IMHO, tends to cheapen the actions of those who truly do perform heroic service. Or maybe I'm just turning into a crotchety old man.

No you're right. Credit needs to be given to the paramedics and firefighters and cops and all that responded.

But that was their job.

I killed mother****ers in skirmishes that, to this day, I could never talk about and nobody will give me any kind of hero badge or anything like that. But I don't care. It was my job, and I'd do the same thing if I had to do it over again.

It's a job. Like flipping a burger. Just do it. Get your paycheck.

 

[Bob Noel]

well, the people who run into the fire, the people who run towards the danger should be respected, even if it's their job to do so.

 

[RJM62]

No you're right. Credit needs to be given to the paramedics and firefighters and cops and all that responded.

But that was their job.

I killed mother****ers in skirmishes that, to this day, I could never talk about and nobody will give me any kind of hero badge or anything like that. But I don't care. It was my job, and I'd do the same thing if I had to do it over again.

It's a job. Like flipping a burger. Just do it. Get your paycheck.

The choice of such a job, however, is itself heroic.

There's also a sense in which it's not so much the act itself that is heroic as the fact that a person actually did it. For example, what Charles Ramsey did didn't require super powers, nor even exceptional bravery. But whereas some would have said, "I don't want to get involved," Ramsey got involved.

The same goes for anyone who helps a stranger who's in trouble, no matter how small the personal risk, and no matter whether it's their job or not. Many people simply don't care enough to do it. Some do. And some people care enough to make careers of doing what most people won't.

That's heroism. And part of heroism is that heroes rarely believe themselves to be heroes because in their value system, and according to what they hold dear and the rules by which they live their lives, it's no big deal. It's just normal. It's who they are.

That's heroism, too.

-Rich

 

[Threefingeredjack]

The choice of such a job, however, is itself heroic.

There's also a sense in which it's not so much the act itself that is heroic as the fact that a person actually did it. For example, what Charles Ramsey did didn't require super powers, nor even exceptional bravery. But whereas some would have said, "I don't want to get involved," Ramsey got involved.

The same goes for anyone who helps a stranger who's in trouble, no matter how small the personal risk, and no matter whether it's their job or not. Many people simply don't care enough to do it. Some do. And some people care enough to make careers of doing what most people won't.

That's heroism. And part of heroism is that heroes rarely believe themselves to be heroes because in their value system, and according to what they hold dear and the rules by which they live their lives, it's no big deal. It's just normal. It's who they are.

That's heroism, too.

-Rich

With that we are in agreement. The average Joe with no training that runs into a burning house, or toward bomb shredded strangers, because there is something in him that will not allow him to stand by or turn away is a hero. Those who have trained all their lives for just such an event and respond as they are trained can do heroic things, but in general nothing that day seemed to call for anything but quick accurate response to a horrific event.

 

[Fearless Tower]

Tonight on the news there was coverage of the ceremonial finishing of the Boston Marathon. A fitting and appropriate thing to do. But one of the lines in the story struck me as a little over the top, and maybe I'm wrong. The comment was made about the "heroic first responders who rushed to aid the victims" What? They rushed to aid the victims because it is their job. It's what they do day in and day out. It is how they make their living.

The media seems to overhype every story like this. Was the aid needed? Without doubt. Was their service quick and effective? No doubt. Was their performance "heroic"???? Mehhhh....no. The scale was unusual, but it seems that since 9/11 the media seems bent on making everyone a victim, and anyone who does something vital a hero. This, IMHO, tends to cheapen the actions of those who truly do perform heroic service. Or maybe I'm just turning into a crotchety old man.

Considering how many New Orleans cops hid from work in the aftermath of Katrina, I'd say the Boston response was much more heroic.

 

[Ted]

Just because it's your job to do something doesn't mean it isn't heroic.

Honestly, I'm glad that they provide credit to first responders and focus on some good. All I ever see in the media is worthless drivel and focusing on what's bad.

 

[Threefingeredjack]

Considering how many New Orleans cops hid from work in the aftermath of Katrina, I'd say the Boston response was much more heroic.

Well I may be biased, (as I was in NOLA after Katrina), but The response in Boston was exactly what one would expect. The shambles in NOLA was a disgrace. There were an estimated 60.000 people needing rescue from the roofs of their flooded homes after Katrina. In three days we picked up 31,300. Hot fueling and swapping crews with rotors spinning. Heroic? No, easy weather and generally wide open hoisting. It's what we were trained to do. The NOPD was a freakin wreck, the NOFD was better. The Air Force PJs who showed up were freaking awesome.

 

[N2124v]

I used to be a Paramedic. Nothing heroic about it, just wanted to help people.

 

[Jim Logajan]

Tonight on the news there was coverage of the ceremonial finishing of the Boston Marathon. A fitting and appropriate thing to do. But one of the lines in the story struck me as a little over the top, and maybe I'm wrong. The comment was made about the "heroic first responders who rushed to aid the victims" What? They rushed to aid the victims because it is their job. It's what they do day in and day out. It is how they make their living.

If a runner or spectator has a medical problem, which is the kind of event those first responders were most likely to encounter, there is little danger to them. That sort of thing is definitely their job.

But well executed terrorist bombings, on the other hand, often come in two or more explosions. The M.O. seems to be to wait till rescuers have created another concentration of people and detonate a second bomb. Perhaps those who are first responders can chime in and say whether this is a risk the typical first responder is trained for and told to expect. If first responders are trained to delay or be careful after what appears to be terrorist bombing, then those who didn't delay might then be called heroes (or foolish for making themselves potential additional victims?)

The media seems to overhype every story like this. Was the aid needed? Without doubt. Was their service quick and effective? No doubt. Was their performance "heroic"???? Mehhhh....no. The scale was unusual, but it seems that since 9/11 the media seems bent on making everyone a victim, and anyone who does something vital a hero. This, IMHO, tends to cheapen the actions of those who truly do perform heroic service.

It's the media. Over hyping is their job!

Or maybe I'm just turning into a crotchety old man.

Ahem. Being right about this and turning into a crotchety old man aren't mutually exclusive.

 

[bflynn]

I think the FIRST responders were not professionals. They were "ordinary" people who have an instinct to assist rather than to run. It seems like that used to include everyone, now it's fewer and fewer all the time. We need more of them.

 

[Geico266]

Tonight on the news there was coverage of the ceremonial finishing of the Boston Marathon. A fitting and appropriate thing to do. But one of the lines in the story struck me as a little over the top, and maybe I'm wrong. The comment was made about the "heroic first responders who rushed to aid the victims" What? They rushed to aid the victims because it is their job. It's what they do day in and day out. It is how they make their living.

The media seems to overhype every story like this. Was the aid needed? Without doubt. Was their service quick and effective? No doubt. Was their performance "heroic"???? Mehhhh....no. The scale was unusual, but it seems that since 9/11 the media seems bent on making everyone a victim, and anyone who does something vital a hero. This, IMHO, tends to cheapen the actions of those who truly do perform heroic service. Or maybe I'm just turning into a crotchety old man.

A 3rd bomb could have gone off killing them too.

Sure, it is their job, but it is the job they chose to do to serve the community. They should be acknowledged for that sacrifice and bravery. They could be sitting home collecting unemployment.

 

[Geico266]

I think the FIRST responders were not professionals. They were "ordinary" people who have an instinct to assist rather than to run. It seems like that used to include everyone, now it's fewer and fewer all the time. We need more of them.

As we have seen in other threads you are right. Some people cannot be bothered to even look on the ramp for a missing plane when asked by FSS, let alone run into the aftermath if a bomb going off or a house on fire.

It begins with training. First aid use to be mandatory training when I was in school. Today, they pass out condoms, and are more worried about bullying.

 

[bflynn]

And as I said in the other thread, lighten up. We each do what we can.

I will not fault someone for not going out in a downpour to check tail numbers because they have medical concerns. "Unable, suggest the tower knows who landed" is a good response.

Maybe you'll mellow some as you get older. Please try to remember that, even on the internet, you are talking to and about people?

 

[ronnieh]

100% agree with Three Finger. It cheapens the meaning of hero.

 

[wabower]

When you read the entire reports, those who did whatever they do often respond to the "hero" label with "nope, just doing what we're trained and hired to do." It appears to be somewhat modest and self-deprecating but I think they understand and are simply telling it like it is.

 

[jdennis1989]

Just because it's your job to do something doesn't mean it isn't heroic.

Honestly, I'm glad that they provide credit to first responders and focus on some good. All I ever see in the media is worthless drivel and focusing on what's bad.

+1 well said

Really OP? You don't think they should be called heroic because its their job? It's a heroic job and I'm kind of offended that you think they shouldn't be recognized. I have a brother in law enforcement and family that is and have served in the military. It's pretty damn heroic to go to work everyday knowing someone might try and kill you. I know you mean well by this thread, but this really grinds my gears. First responders deserve recognition, not these idiot teens who got the fame cause they planted a bomb and killed people. Yes military service me/women and police/fire/EMT all know they are taking a calculated risk when going into those fields of work, but it still deserves our damn respect for what they do. It is NOT like just some other job like how someone above said about flipping burgers...... they are serving to keep us safe, not to fill our stomachs.

 

[Threefingeredjack]

+1 well said

Really OP? You don't think they should be called heroic because its their job? It's a heroic job and I'm kind of offended that you think they shouldn't be recognized. I have a brother in law enforcement and family that is and have served in the military. It's pretty damn heroic to go to work everyday knowing someone might try and kill you. I know you mean well by this thread, but this really grinds my gears. First responders deserve recognition, not these idiot teens who got the fame cause they planted a bomb and killed people. Yes military service me/women and police/fire/EMT all know they are taking a calculated risk when going into those fields of work, but it still deserves our damn respect for what they do. It is NOT like just some other job like how someone above said about flipping burgers...... they are serving to keep us safe, not to fill our stomachs.

Well, speaking as a guy who spent 28 years in the USCG, of which 20 was flying SAR in both rotors and fixed wing, I think I can offer a little perspective. If you ask anyone who was well trained and prepared to face a situation that for the average person would be an insurmountable emotional and physical challenge if they are a hero I would wager the answer would be "no". My point was that the media's constant application of the "Hero" label to anyone and everyone who does something slightly beyond the normal cheapens the contributions of those who are truly heroic.
On a couple of occasions in my past the crew I was a part of was recognized with a hunk of ribbon for doing our job a little better in conditions that were a little outside the norm. Am I a hero? No. I think I was at one time a better than average pilot who could carry real heros, the guys in back who went out into the crap to rescue the ones who called us, out to do their job.
Just a matter of perspective perhaps, and sure the EMTs and police did a fine job, but they were there to do just that.

 

[RJM62]

Well, speaking as a guy who spent 28 years in the USCG, of which 20 was flying SAR in both rotors and fixed wing, I think I can offer a little perspective. If you ask anyone who was well trained and prepared to face a situation that for the average person would be an insurmountable emotional and physical challenge if they are a hero I would wager the answer would be "no". My point was that the media's constant application of the "Hero" label to anyone and everyone who does something slightly beyond the normal cheapens the contributions of those who are truly heroic.
On a couple of occasions in my past the crew I was a part of was recognized with a hunk of ribbon for doing our job a little better in conditions that were a little outside the norm. Am I a hero? No. I think I was at one time a better than average pilot who could carry real heros, the guys in back who went out into the crap to rescue the ones who called us, out to do their job.
Just a matter of perspective perhaps, and sure the EMTs and police did a fine job, but they were there to do just that.

Again, I maintain that your heroism was expressed the day you signed up. Heroism is not so much what you do as who you are; and you decided to made a career of it.

But you will never be able to understand that because, well, heroes rarely are able to acknowledge their own heroism. It just seems normal for them because it's who they are.

-Rich

 

[Old Geek]

I think it's worth noting that the vocation of "airplane pilot" is significantly more dangerous than "police" or "firefighter".

 

[DavidWhite]

No you're right. Credit needs to be given to the paramedics and firefighters and cops and all that responded.

But that was their job.

I killed mother****ers in skirmishes that, to this day, I could never talk about and nobody will give me any kind of hero badge or anything like that. But I don't care. It was my job, and I'd do the same thing if I had to do it over again.

It's a job. Like flipping a burger. Just do it. Get your paycheck.

Sac, you risked your life to keep us all safe. That (in my book) makes you the highest form of hero. Thank you.

 

[Velocity173]

So Threefinger, what is truly heroic then? Is there a standard definition? I flew in two different wars and some might call it heroic but there was nothing heroic about it. However today flying EMS and I hear my crew in the back struggling to save a patient's life, I sometimes think they're heroic. Sure they get paid for it but they chose to do it to help others not because of pay. With one of the highest accident rates in the business it's not exactly the safest job either.

I think heroic lies in the eyes of the beholder. To me, if you're doing something to help someone else and your life is at risk as well, job or no job it can be considered heroic.

 

[Threefingeredjack]

So Threefinger, what is truly heroic then? Is there a standard definition? I flew in two different wars and some might call it heroic but there was nothing heroic about it. However today flying EMS and I hear my crew in the back struggling to save a patient's life, I sometimes think they're heroic. Sure they get paid for it but they chose to do it to help others not because of pay. With one of the highest accident rates in the business it's not exactly the safest job either.

I think heroic lies in the eyes of the beholder. To me, if you're doing something to help someone else and your life is at risk as well, job or no job it can be considered heroic.

I would say intentionally placing your life in danger when you know here is a real possibility of losing it to complete a mission/task. (Not recreational as that is choice)

Judging from the consensus of replies I am wrong in my view........ but being the stubborn SOB that I am I doubt I will change my view. I'll just shut up about it.

 

[flyingron]

Actually their "JOB" would have been to make sure that the scene was safe before putting themselves in a potentially lethal to them situation. While the job is risky, entering into an unjustifiably risky situation is not part of it. I can't tell you times when as EMS we've waited for police before entering a scene where we feared someone might shoot or blow us up.

 

[Maxmosbey]

I think that last year about this same time I argued much the same thing about military personal and heroism.

 

[DavidWhite]

Does the time I almost got shot in the hood by a group of young rapscallions while surveying make me a hero?

 

[cowman]

They did their job very well and it was the most important kind of work, some praise is deserved. I think everyone just uses the term 'hero' because they don't have a better word for it.

Now, if anyone wants to talk about government and media overreacting to these kinds of things... oh boy can I rant for pages on that topic!

 

[Dave Krall CFII]

Noteworthy execution of helping others, well beyond the threshold of the meaning of the word heroic.

The rationality of their actions would be very apparent had additional bombs gone off and harmed them too. Heros often take risks, and whether without thought or calculated, it is their personal decision.

 

[wabower]

How does one almost get shot? Is that like being shot at?

Does the time I almost got shot in the hood by a group of young rapscallions while surveying make me a hero?

 

[Ted]

Does the time I almost got shot in the hood by a group of young rapscallions while surveying make me a hero?

Nope. In Brooklyn we called that "a day that ends in Y".

 

[silver-eagle]

The very definition of hero is when ordinary men do extraordinary things. While a first responder is generally paid to aid help people out in emergencies, with bombs going off, that is pretty extraordinary. And though I think hero gets tossed around pretty freely, there were most definitely heroes that day.