Nation must not forget its heroes

All great civilizations in the past honored their warriors in life and in death.

The term "hero" in history tended to be reserved for great leaders and warriors who saved their cultures or nations in times of peril. A key definition of a hero is that of an illustrious warrior. Not all warriors were heroes, but they were all reserved a special place in the afterlife in those great civilizations. Those with an historical bent would know the terms Valhalla or Fiddler's Green, where cavalrymen from all armies and ages would stop in the afterlife to rest their horses and share a song and a drink, no longer enemies but fellow soldiers who shared common hardships and values.

As we remain for yet another year a nation at war, I wonder still why we use the term hero to describe someone who makes millions on a sports field with no real impact on our nation's future. I wonder why we continue

to use Memorial Day to hawk commercial goods. I am saddened by the dwindling number of citizens who take the time to honor our dead.

I once saw a Bill Mauldin "Willie and Joe" cartoon from the World War II era in which the character Joe visits his seriously wounded friend Willie in the hospital. The caption says "How's things outside? Am I still a war hero or a drain on the taxpayer?" I have kept that cartoon for more than three decades as a reminder of the fate that often awaits an American warrior. A nation or culture that forgets the sacrifices that made it great does so at its own peril.

When the final roll call is held, I hope to be able to find the answers to my questions about World War I veteran John Gorki when we can share a song and a drink at Fiddler's Green.
Stanley Drwal
U.S. Army Veteran
Sayreville