Only a few soldiers will return from Iraq as true heroes

A U.S. news program played interviews of several soldiers returning home from Iraq. I paused from monitoring message traffic, listening for interesting stories. A young female soldier remarked, "We are all heroes." I strongly disagree.

This is my second voluntary tour since 9/11 but I have yet to perform any acts worthy of the designation "hero." I fear that the new trend of considering all members of military, police or firefighting units as heroes diminishes the honor due real heroes and will decrease the quality of heroes available in the future.

Circumstances do not make heroes; they reveal them. The character of a hero must develop beforehand or events will pass unchallenged. Heroism is obedience to a private impulse, driven by the thought that it can follow no other path.

Heroes see the necessity of their actions while others remain frozen by fear, uncertainty or moral tepidity. Heroes stand in defiance of falsehood and evil, willing to bear the consequences of their resolve rather than succumb to tyranny or oppression. Heroes are frequently impatient, preferring to act quickly and decisively rather than wait for a committee resolution, fact-finding mission or congressional hearing to reveal no more than the hero already knows.

Heroes often walk alone yet they are rarely lonely. Heroes tend to disdain austerity or ostentation, even popularity. They act not for recognition and seldom tell their own tale. Thus, most heroic acts go unrecognized while the public spotlight regales as royalty pompous entertainers who add little worth to society. Duty and virtue mark heroism's nobility. Justice is its hallmark and righteousness its crown.

Societies around the world, and throughout history, raise their children on stories of heroic deeds. We inspire children to greatness with such stories. Heroic stories develop a sense of loyalty, duty and responsibility. One of the most valuable lessons learned from such stories is that society bestows great honor to performers of great deeds. We need to remind each other that honor is earned; the undeserving cannot compel it.

Most soldiers in Iraq will not fire a single bullet in offensive missions or defensive necessity. They are here to support the minority that confronts the enemy in ways that hope to ensure the majority will never need to. The soldiers involved in denigrating their detainees clearly demonstrate that we are not all heroes, yet there are other incidents outside the news. I have seen soldiers disrespect their leaders or balking at simple duties. Some drive wildly through the city streets on patrol, disregarding the safety of the very Iraqis we are here to protect. Others have stolen artifacts that rightfully belong to the people of Iraq. These soldiers may act bravely, at times, but to consider them heroes is a concept I personally find repugnant.

If we now bestow the honor of hero without regard to deeds performed or character revealed, if hero status is achieved with so little struggle, many of our children will fail to develop the discipline necessary to carry them through the painful process true hero character development requires. Already too many of our young people pattern themselves after those who usurp fame while promising at best fleeting pleasure and at worst self-destruction. Past generations helped develop the real heroes we have today. Let us, likewise, prepare real heroes for the future lest none be found when needed most.

More than a quarter of a million soldiers will be involved in operation Iraqi freedom before we all return home. We might all appreciate a hero's welcome but only a few deserve a hero's honor. Deciding in advance that everyone returning home is a hero saves society the time of listening to individual stories and resolving who deserves the distinction. Do we not still value some character traits over others? I hope so. Do we actually believe that a year spent shirking duty is to be as honored as a year spent in unwavering selfless service? Definitely not, or America is no longer the country I think I am here to defend.

I am very grateful that most Americans choose to honor those who serve in this time of increased terrorism. The highest honor society can bestow is that of hero but we do not all deserve this designation. Let us instead take the time to determine the identity of our true heroes and give them the honor they uniquely deserve. If we do, our heroes will benefit and the heroism's virtues will remain strong in our culture.

Frank Selden of Bellevue is a member of the 116th RAOC in the Washington Army National Guard. He is currently stationed in Mosul; frankselden@comcast.net.

Add P-I Opinion headlines to