I dare to strongly disagree with you Dave, that you DID DO YOUR JOB by actually serving and to me, that alone IS what makes you and all who serve heroes, as far as I'm concerned ... because to my mind, the majority of society does NOT go out on a limb as I feel we all should ideally do AND it's the the "going out on a limb by entering service IS the hero part, to me, because only a few men and women actually go that path for the rest of us!" Heroic acts happen where there are heroes and something happens in front of them and they take action.

Most of society is often selfish and paralyzed and would rather let the world fall down around their heads rather than risk actions that would save a lot of people. They'll sacrifice everyone else to protect their own selfish self-absorbed little interests ... a hero does the opposite ... so ... is ya go out on a limb prepared to risk having to do heroic acts, you're my HERO whether you did anything heroic or mnot, you were there to do it if it came up!

There. I'm done.

Karmen.