Is being a hero, a matter of opinion?

What is a hero?

Everyone has an opinion.

In recent weeks, I’ve discussed with some, in my circle of friends, whether an individual is a hero is simply a matter of opinion. There are those who argue that a soldier in America’s ‘War on Terror’ is not a hero. They argue people, the likes of Jessica Lynch are not, in their opinion, heroes.

Opinions, like farts, require no intelligence to produce, and most of them stink.

Opinion, in this case, begins when understanding of the words they use has ended. Words have meanings. In the American lexicon, by definition, certain acts and circumstances make a person a hero. Whether or not a person is a hero is not an opinion. It is a fact, like it or not.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), defines a hero as:

"…2. A man of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering; a prominent or central personage in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or
illustrious person..."

This can be found on the web at http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/herohttp://www.hyperdict...dictionary/hero

Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary, Unabridged, (1971), defines a hero as:

"…2. Any man admired for his courage, nobility or exploits, especially in war...
3. Any person admired for his qualities or achievements and regarded as an ideal or model.
4. The central male character in a novel, play, poem, etc...
5. The central figure in any important event or period, honored for outstanding qualities."

An Unabridged Dictionary can be found in any public library of size.

So, is Jessica Lynch a hero?

By definition, she was a hero four times over.
1. She showed fortitude in suffering and is admired for her courage and nobility.
2. She fought to preserve freedom and liberty and, as a soldier, is admired for her qualities and achievements.
3. She's the main character in a novel, in a made-for-TV movie and in at least one non-fiction book, her own.
4. She was the central figure in an important event, and was honored for her qualities.

Redefining words to suit your own specific agenda or belief is not an option. If the usage changes generally, the dictionary definition will one day reflect it. Until then, it isn't necessary to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to be a hero. Whether, they're wounded or whole, captured or killed, all of America's fighting men and women are heroic, unless proven otherwise, (i.e. cowardice under fire, desertion, etc.).

Ah, you say, "Women would be heroines, not heroes". That is true. They are, however, heroic none the less. In today's non-gender specific, politically correct age it's common to call men and women heroes.