VETS: Real heroes actually saw combat

Relatively few of the men and women in our military ever go into combat, of those deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, for instance, about one out of every eight. About one in eight are placed in harm’s way, at risk of losing everything — arms, legs, health and their very lives. They do the fighting.

Those, in support, who served as clerks, quartermasters, mechanics and non-combatants, generally, may have survived the inconveniences of military life and earned a fair share of honorable discharges, but on them the hero label just doesn’t stick. It’s way too heavy. You have to qualify. Not many do. And many who do, in fact, don’t necessarily welcome it.

Prompting this letter was The Press headline, May 11, “Healing a hero’s body and mind.” The word “hero” is tossed off here, misused. Too bad since it’s clearly intended as a kind of blanket tribute. But for us, the many, the word “vets” is tribute enough, entirely correct and inclusive, which is always good.

Our military and the wars we get into are subjects that would seem to demand a bit of clear thinking and communication, and they’re not getting nearly enough. For one thing cliches and stereotypes keep getting in the way.

DEL CAMERON

Coeur d’Alene