I know this is going to be an unpopular question, but, when did all soldiers/sailors/marines become heroes? I

Anyone who serves his country honorably is a Hero sir.

In my opinion, it's because service men and women are doing more for our country than the kid who decided he/she would rather go flip burgers. It takes more guts to enlist than it does to apply at McDonald's. And even if they sign up for other reasons like you say you did, they still are contributing more for the USA than most others. And I for one am very appreciative to each of them for that. :)

You're a hero to me.

I believe there are different levels of heroes. It is hard to think of yourself and people like you as heroes. I have never heard a medal of honor recipient refer to themselves or other medal of honor recipients as heroes but i look at them as heroes. i agree as a soldier i do not look at fellow soldiers as heroes but if i were just a normal civilian i more than likely would.

Don't devalue yourself. Any US serviceman who served faithfully in combat or closely supported others who did has offered a tremendous sacrifice for the good of one's fellow Americans and the free world. Serving in such an unpopular war for reasons beyond the grasp of the average citizen makes you a greater individual than most can comprehend. I also admire your humility; another common tribute of a hero.

It's the best word to describe the patriotic volunteers, in the eyes of the civilian masses. To us, it's just the job we do because we love our country. To them, it's bigger than life. They don't mean to disrespect our fallen brothers & sisters; let's just take the compliment the way it's intended, huduuluv.

Everyone is allowed to decide who their own heroes are. If people want to cast a net a mile wide, they can do that. If you prefer to be more selective, that's cool too. What is messed up is when other people are running around telling everyone else who their heroes ought to be.

Take a break soldier. You really have nothing better to do? Why not call them heroes? Why does it bother you so much? My brother is a retired 1st Sgt. He was in Vietnam and several other places. Never got shot or hurt, but he is a hero to me. If you are not one, then let it lie.

In Vietnam, people really didn't have a choice to go into the military, there was this thing called the draft. Now everyone that wants to become an soldier has to VOLUNTEER to become one, A hero makes a choice to go fight in a different country, and die in a different country Not have it made up for them by a draft.