Charicter Building 1
Medal of Honor
All the Points He Needed -
Near Tettington, Germany, 1945
Nicholas Oresko
Master Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company C, 302nd Infantry,
94th Infantry Division
Medal of Honor
Explosive Charge - Peleliu, Western Pacific, 1944
Arthur J. Jackson
Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps
3rd Battalion, 7th Marines,
1st Marine Division
Homework Due: 30 Sept
Whole Group Activity:
The teacher will create a chart on the board with three categories: personal, school, and physical. Discuss
how the students’ obstacles fit into these categories. Fill in the chart with a selection of students’ obstacles.
Small Group/Individual Activity:
Students will move into groups of four. Each group will be given a copy of Joseph J. Foss' profile. Students will list
several examples where Joseph Foss faced obstacles, such as age, the enemy, and loss of planes.
Whole Group Activity:
Students will share the information that they gathered from the profile. Students will add more examples to their
lists.
Homework:
Students will write an essay on the following prompt: Use evidence from the profile or examples from your list
to support Foss’ persistence and perseverance. How does this relate/connect to you? Give your own
examples.
(250 words)
85 comments:
Adrian Gibson
Does Hollywood portray the heroes as they were actually there no but they try but the stereotype they made them seem to be today has actually made it less earned than they should. What I mean is that the men who served and continue to serve all fought for what they believed in and for their country this led to them to do what was necessary to save their fellow soldiers, marines etc. The videos we saw in class today the men who had earned the Congressional Medal of Honor said that they were lucky and they wonder why they made it alive while others did not. Both men we had saw did feats that we would be like that’s crazy id never do it but that’s just it they didn’t think they did what was asked of them and even went beyond that to save there brothers in arms on the days that each earned their medal in combat like single handedly charging a machine gun nest or to run the longest yards of your life to clear out twelve enemy going in pillboxes both feats are shocking yes but either way these two men and many like them had didn’t have to do these things but they went on instinct and just plain will this lead to the marines to be able to keep the pacific from falling and what led to the army to assault the beaches on D-day not because they wanted but cause it needed to be done if not by them than who? So they did what needed to be done and many American military members paid the price for it but in the end they did not die in vain they accomplished their mission. But to be earnest I believe that the Hollywood stereotype is ok to an extent but it will never change on how I respect and view them as heroes.
My view on military heroes has not changed because I always looked at everyone who gives time to protect their county as a hero. Oresko and Jackson’s honor were equal to me but I look up to Oresko’s honor just because he made a huge, risky decision for him and his soldiers. Oresko knew his life was coming to an end in a matter of minutes but he took this big risk by stepping onto the battle field and getting shot in the right hip then running into the machine gunners just feet above him. Though he was injured he knew he couldn’t just give up, this was his moment because they actually couldn’t see him but he could see them. At this point I really respected him because it showed his character of braveness, independence, and a lot more. Oresko could have chosen to just lie there and die but he chose not to.
I do believe other people outside the military are heroes as well, maybe not all but there are others out there that carry the same characteristics that these two soldiers do. Hollywood stars, sports players, your family, police officers, etc. can be heroes. The Military is honored more maybe because they are the ones out their fighting for our country, our freedom but firefighters and police officers help shape communities too so they are huge heroes everywhere whether or not you think that. Without police officers and firefighters criminals and fires would be outrageous. Anyone who takes big steps or risk and goes out of their way to lend a hand in need is someone in my eyes who I say is a hero.
Cadet Peters, Nadeane
I think that how I see a hero has changed because before I saw those videos I thought that a hero was just the best soldier that had the best rank. A soldier that was the strongest, that could run the fastest, someone that doesn’t get injured or someone that could shoot the most enemies. I really thought that a hero was a super soldier, a person that everyone listens to no matter what. I got this idea from movies, but now I know that none of that was true. Now when I think of a hero I think about those two videos. In the first video it showed me that not all heroes have a lot of friends or that everybody listens to them. I also learned that heroes can get hurt but that doesn’t mean that they are dead ether. Being a hero is about bravery and leader ship. In the second video I saw that even a hero can take orders and not just give them to people. The second video also showed me that you don’t have to do all the work by yourself to be a hero. After today I learned that a hero is not some super soldier that is better than everyone. In fact I learned that a hero is someone with bravery someone that is willing to give their life to save their country and their men. A hero is someone that will do whatever it takes to get the job done.
This report was written by Steve lopez.
Cadet Johnson (Mrs.)
09-05-13
Military Heroes
In class today, I learnt a lot about how much of a tough job the military can be. I knew from the start that it was tough, but what Nicholas Oresko and Arthur J. Jackson did was phenomenal! Before I came into the JROTC, I thought that the military was just a bunch of men and women killing each other for a right while also doing it in unison. Well, that’s not all technically true! The video I watched about Mr. Nicholas Oresko taught me you don’t have to be in unison with your troops. He handled himself very well and ended up saving the lives of him and his troops. To me, the military is about standing up for your rights and if it has to go to the measures of fighting for them, so be it! But it’s also about standing up for yourself and having a lot of guts. It’s not easy and of course there will be fear and a lot of adrenaline but at the end of the day, your proud of yourself because you came out strong and you fought for something that was right. It’s you willing to put in blood, sweat, and tears for your country and I highly appreciate and respect every single person in the Military because they are what allow usto have the privileges we have now. It has really opened up my eyes to what the military does and before this class, I didn’t want to go into the military, but after today’s lesson and what it taught me, let’s just say that they may have just changed.
Daniel Saldana 9/5/13 Flight C
My view of military heroes has changed because these men are real heroes. These men are real heroes though because they went against all odds to complete their mission. Like Mr. Nicholas Oresko, he went up the hill by himself to take out an MG. He was severely wounded in his right hip. He then crawled up the hill, back down to get a grenade, then back up again to destroy the MG while he was bleeding out. Mr. Arthur Jackson is a hero also. He took over a whole island as a one man army with the help of his platoon and the Navy as they were giving him cover fire. I really think that these two brave men deserved their Medal of Honor because they risked their lives to get their men back home safely. These men are real life heroes because Mr. Oresko took out an MG while injured and Mr. Jackson took over a whole island by himself. Both take courage to do because Mr. Oresko could have just laid there on the ground and waited for his men to come and save him but he didn’t, and Mr. Jackson could have waited for someone else to take the job to take over the island but instead he took it. Hollywood might make good movies, but they aren’t always correct. They make it seem like everything is going to go your way when you go to war but it doesn’t. War is unpredictable so you never know what to expect in the heat of battle. I’m sure that Mr. Oresko didn’t think that he was going to get shot, or Mr. Jackson didn’t think that he was going to be able to take over that whole island as a one man army.
I am absolutely positive that my view of military heroes hasn’t changed at all. I haven’t really believed in the Hollywood stereotypes in a long time, if ever. I know how hard it is for a person in the military to get a Medal of Honor. We just went over two of the heroes that have won Medals of Honor today. After watching the two videos of the soldiers who achieved this, receiving a Medal of Honor, I understand what it takes even further. I do realize it isn’t as easy as Sylvester Stallone and people like that make it seem in the movies. It takes courage, honor, bravery, and commitment, not just a pretty face and a nice body. Also, I don’t think the typical Hollywood stereotype was ever really valid. No one with common sense actually believes heroism doesn’t take any effort. I get that some people could be naïve enough to fall for it but the people who are part of a military family definitely know better, and people in military training do as well, even if it is junior training. To me, people in the military are heroes by default. They may not have saved any lives when the first begin boot camp and basic training, but they’re making a decision to protect and defend the United States and all the people in it, and that takes real commitment. When hundreds of thousands of men and women risk their lives to keep people they don’t even know safe, that makes them a hero in my opinion. But war heroes are different, obviously. If they’re in battle and one or two, or even a whole unit, goes out of their way, risking their lives to protect the people around them, that makes them unbelievably amazing.
~Jeanna Sanderson
I think everyone that are in the army, navy,air force and military are all heroes not just Nichols Oresko and Arthur J. Jackson, because they all have the guts to go out into war over seas and fight for there country and try to keep everyone safe and the battle, taking a risk of their own life's being taken for their country. Nicholas and Arthur deserve that medal because they both went the extra mile to win the war that they was in.Master Sergeant Oresko got shot in the hip and still won the war for his for his country and private first class Jackson had help and guided his troopers and killed the whole island won the war for his country; both Nicholas and Arthur and their troopers are hero's for having the guts to go out and fight and win their war.
-Cadet Green
Natali Brown
My view on the military has never been based on a movie or show. I believe that on the movies and shows they make them seam a lot meaner and stuck up then they actually are. In the movies they make it seem like it’s a lot easier than it really is like with Nicholas Oresko he had to go in to the battle by himself and was willing to give his life for his country and the other men with him at the time Or even if they had someone to help them. It’s still very difficult thing to do and in most movies I’ve seen where there in the military they usually just sit around and play cards and stuff like that and you never really see them in battle. And if you do it’s for a few minutes maybe that’s because I don’t really watch military movies or maybe because the movies that I watch that do have anything to do with the military are not really just about the military and movies make things seem a lot better than they really are movies also don’t really show the type of rules or regulations and don’t really give any back ground information because they assume you already know it also makes it seem like everyone in the military is very strong tall all friends and just sit around and talk in my opinion a movie give a certain mind set about the military that isn’t very accurate.
Grady Tyler Hyatt
I think my view on military heroes has not been changed because I never believed in the Hollywood Stereotype on military heroes. I never believed in the Hollywood Stereotype because the stuff they put into a movie is completely unrealistic. An example of this is when the hero of the movie is shot in the gut and he still keeps fighting. I don’t think many people could do this because it’d be excruciatingly painful and most people would get knocked out just from the pain of being shot or they’d die right there. Plus, the heroes in the real world aren’t arrogant about having been shot and kept going and they say it sucked really badly, while the Hollywood Stereotypes would brag about it and say it was awesome. Also, just hearing how well they were able to describe it was just way more convincing and realistic than seeing the explosions, gun fights, and people dying on T.V. Something else is that all of the backgrounds for the actual military heroes is always different where as the Hollywood guys are always the cool guy with popularity and has lots of friends where as if you look at the real military heroes, some may have had the Hollywood background, but there are also the heroes who are outcasts and don’t have that many friends and have always been the underdog, and there are those who are just in the middle who are just average with a couple of friends and not as popular as the “cool” crowd but not as alone as the outcasts.
Chance Abul JROTC 1 Flight A
My military hero is Arthur J. Jackson and my group was called Jackson’s brigade. I believe he is even better than Nicholas Oresko because he ran almost a hundred miles risking his life, under machine gun fire and less armor because, he took off he’s vest armor. Without his vest armor he added more risk of being shot and killed instantly because he had no body armor, but because of this he had more speed and less weight to carry. He could’ve stopped when he already blew up the first bunker but he didn’t and went all out on it. He took out 86 people with a little help from his platoon, despite that he was only a private and Nicholas Oresko was already ranked as a master sergeant. Jackson had less experience, less knowledge and a little help from the beginning, after the first bunker was down he didn’t receive any other help from his platoon members but with Nicholas Oresco received a lot of help at the end. Jackson was only a private but he completed the mission unscaved and unharmed on the other hand Nicholas was injured even though he had more skills, had more equipment and had more knowledge. Jackson also took out an island with assistance only once. He also asked “can you?” and it was not a command from their platoon leader. I do like Nicholas Oresco because he could’ve died from blood loss and he still kept going. He also didn’t have support at first but in the end he received help from his platoon members and he was also the leader so, he had to take the lead because he was the master sergeant outranking his men with his’ skills, knowledge and experience. I both respect these two heroes for their bravery and sacrifice and what they would do for this great country.
C/Major Ryan A. Peebles
9/5/13
ROTC IV
Based on the present and the past, the image of military heroes have not changed in my head. Heroes in the movies have the exageration of war and its a guy with a big gun that kills people. In real life the effects of war is more complicated. The look of a real hero is a soldier that is able to come back home alive and well. In movies they do not show that. Most of the soldiers seen today are scared.
Now i mean scared as in being changed and actually being affected by combat action,and having problems once back home. In the movies there is no showing of the after effect of combat. Many veterens that i have met personally, they say that its the hardest thing to ever talk about. From not being able to see friends again,posibly loosing relationships with loved ones,its just very hard. A good example on how HollyWood that doesnt show the emotional toll is commando. In the film the hero is just killing soldiers left and right and is not affected by it. Now in real life the PTSD would be though the roof and therapy would be mandatory.
It is something that is so tramatic and shocking that it is hard to forget or deny that it happened. So with that HollyWood always try to have a sence of release of stress by making charatcers that just go around and go killing people. Yet nothing happens to the hero, No physical scars or shock but in the real world its more on the mental toll on any and all war heroes. So my outlook on the war hero has not changed, even with the Hollywood system being outrageous with action stars always killing because people need killing It just does not work that way. Its what the soldier does in his/her service that makes the protection of this country worth while.
Chad Miller
Carlos Hathcock
Carlos Norman Hathcock was born May 20, 1942 and lived till February 23, 1999. He was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant sniper with a count of 93 confirmed kills. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the Marine Corps. His fame as a sniper and his dedication to long-distance shooting led him to become a major developer of the United States Marine Corps Sniper training program. He was honored by having a rifle named after him: a variant of the M21 dubbed the Springfield Armory M25 White Feather. Before deploying to Vietnam, Hathcock had won shooting championships, including matches at Camp Perry and the Wimbledon Cup. In 1966 Hathcock started his deployment in Vietnam as a Military Police and later became a sniper after Captain Edward James Land pushed the Marines into raising snipers in every platoon. Captain Land later recruited Marines who had set their own records in sharpshooting. Later on he quickly found Hathcock who had won the Wimbledon Cup, the most prestigious prize for long-range shooting at Camp Perry in 1965. The North Vietnamese Army placed a bounty of $30,000 on Hathcock's life for killing so many of their men. Hathcock held the record for highest bounty and killed every Vietnamese marksman who sought it. One of Hathcock's most famous accomplishments was shooting an enemy sniper through the enemy's own rifle scope, hitting him in the eye and killing him. Hathcock was a Vietnam Hero.
My hero views have changed I now see heroes as anyone who can do brave and heroic things. Not these Hollywood superheroes who save lives and fight crime it’s the heroes that no one really sees that counts. The ones who don’t expect anything in return, after seeing these videos Is and how these guys risked their lives for their country for nothing in return, those are called real heroes. I used to see heroes as people who fight crime and clean up the streets but, that’s the Hollywood point of view. It changed my view by making me look at the smaller things that nobody really looked for.
These videos really changed my point of view of how I see heroes it’s different when you say hero you think of a superhero, Hollywood style, but people don’t think heroes live among us and everywhere we go. Changed my view form seeing a super hero to real people and thinking what people are capable of. If you put your mind to it you can do it whether it’s take out a bunker or take out machinegun by yourself. These videos startled me when I see them doing a mission by yourself with no backup and knowing you’re going to die but knowing you’re dying for a good cause
-Kevin Berberovich
Kevin Phillips
I never really thought about America military heroes that much before. Although from what I see on T.V they sometime do exaggerate. At a young age a lot of kids who watched G.I Joe thinking it were real until they grew up. Though the show was made for fun it was also meant to show American spirit. But is to be expected from Hollywood. Though they are some true unbelievable stories about military heroes. For example Nicholas Oresko did an amazing feat. He single handily destroy the German machine gun. His man followed him but from fifty feet away. Then he get shot in the hip crawling through the snow and end up being in a trench near the wall with the machine gun. He’s about to blow it up before realizing he lost his grenade! So he had to crawl all the way back through the snow, which he was then able to destroy the machine Gun. He received the Medal of Honor.
Honestly my view never changes even when I saw military movies. I know that even right now military men are fighting for America risking their lives for us. Plus they are some movies based on real life military stories. For example saving Private Ryan based on a true story. Although when Hollywood makes the movie they change some things about it. They more drama, and lot more explosions. But most of the time Hollywood get the movie right instead.
SRAmn Dunn
Hero's are very hard to find in this world the idea of war hero's has changed due to hollywood views and Idea of what an hero is. But my view of war hero's didn't change. I know what a war Hero is. A military hero is someone willing to risk their lives for the country if need be. For example Nicholas Oresko he was an hero He took a German Pillbox all by himself. without help for his comrades. he took the initiative. In his head Losing wasn't an option. This man was a war Hero. Pfc Arthur J. Jackson at the battle of Peleliu western Pacific 1994. He was just a regular solider. But he was given an unique opportunity. He could of said no that was suicide, but he did't he just did for his country. He had take some C-4 charges and set near enemy Bunkers. This was probably the most difficult thing to do he was under multiple fire coming from the machine gun and Japanese infantry. He had support from the entire battalion when was there. This is an example of a war hero. In my opinion i don't think that movies are not valid. the reason why i don't belevie why Hollywood ideas are valid beacause in most war movies they have the hero being popular and on the football team. Then they have him being the hero of the war. To me that seems unrealistic to me.
Cadet Shea Gregory Lainer,
I've never had any views on military heroes, but then again I've never been big on the military fighting wars because it's far from a peaceful revolution. when it comes to Hollywood typical stereotyping I would have to say its valid because I lived there for most of my life so anything that comes from the great state I agree. I don't disagree that we have military heroes that great and all but most of the time war isn't the answer. as a whole country we get our hands dirty even when its not our war to fight. my views on them military heroes hasn't changed I still feel the same way, and most people would disagree with my views because their not normal "normal". No doubt that their achievements are memorable and great military wise and for our country , but our country is still young and has a lot to learn. The people in it make it great like Hollywood; Hollywood makes sure we stay calm while the big boys know the real truth. I'm not sure if my views will ever change on the military will change, because there's so much I disagree with, but when they look at me I'm sure the feel the same way. That will never change, Hollywood excepts all if you have what It takes to be a star. I do feel a strong military is needed when it is really needed like World War I and II and the war after September 11, 2001. As a nation we can also go overboard when it comes to war, but the heroes in it bring back honor that I can respect. With that being said my views haven't really changed.
Chris Brough Medal of Honor
After watching the two videos of how Nicholas Oresko and Arthur Jackson got their Medal of Honors, I still have the same views of the military. I have never thought that the military was anything like the movies made in Hollywood. Even though I have seen a lot of those movies I knew they were nothing like real life. My dad was a marine so he always told me that the movies were not even close to real life. In real life people receive the Medal of Honor for risking their lives and doing courageous things to fight for their countries. Oresko went into enemy lines alone when his squad wasn’t willing enough to go with him. He was injured and had no weapons, yet he still had the will to crawl under a machine gun and throw a grenade at the enemies using it and saved his comrades.
Arthur Jackson was given orders on the beach of Peleliu to blow up a bunker that the Japanese were help up in. He didn’t question why, he just did as he was told because he was brave. He ended up blowing up the bunker and that helped win the battle. It is no question why he received the Medal of Honor after he was brave enough to head towards a Japanese bunker with a manned machine gun and lead his men to victory. The idea of the Medal of Honor wasn’t to show that the recipients were brave, it was to show that they would fight for their country.
Cadet Santariga,
Both of these medal of honor recipients did a great dead to our country both resulting in a victory and eventually the end of a war.... Now the stereo type Hollywood war hero's are famed with doing seemingly impossible tasks that result in a victory. In this case of Jackson and Nicholas they both accomplished tasks that seemed impossible and lived. This is where the stereo types come from. You can make up comic book hero's and make them do impossible tasks that look some what in the realm of possibility and again, that is what inspires these stories. Real life events that are memorable and worthy enough to have been recognized and put on the big screen. Whether it be the medal of honor or a "comic book" hero. Personally I think that, if someone were shot numerous times and still crawling to enemy lines to win the battle by themselves by eliminating the enemy bunker or if they charged many enemy bunkers under constant machine gun fire over the span of a south part of an island and killing over fifty enemy soldiers also to win the battle, that they deserve some recognition. I believe that the Hollywood stereo type's of the American soldier is mostly valid due to our past conflicts...... But there are some movies that blow it out of the water and obviously would never happen like Captain America for instance, great movie but not a very likely thing to happen.
Michael Jackson, some of the kids said that he is their military hero. After watching the videos on Nicholas Oresko and Arthur J. Jackson, my view on military heroes has changed. To be completely honest, I’ve never really looked into Medal of Honor winners, so I guess the typical Hollywood stereotype was valid for me. After watching the videos, my view on Military heroes has changed. When you think about it, Michael Jackson did a couple of things with the military, but nothing truly great that should put him in the same category as people like Lt. Audie L. Murphy, and SG Alvin C. York.
Lt. Audie L. Murphy was about 5’8” tall. Weighing in at 150 pounds, Lt. Murphy suffered from malnutrition. In 1945 Lt. Murphy received the Medal of Honor for ordering his men to retreat during a German attack in Normandy. Lt. Murphy stayed back and continued a one man assault on the Germans. It was estimated that he killed about 50 men. SG Alvin C. York was a Christian, who only joined the military because he felt he would be doing a great deed by saving American lives. SG Alvin C. York received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest, taking over 32 machine guns, killed over 28 German sold and also capturing 132 others. Lt. Murphy fought in WWII and SG Alvin C. York fought in WWI.
Michael Jackson wrote meaningful songs such as, Man in the Mirror and they don’t really care about us. Winning many Grammy’s, but nothing Michael did even half way measures up to the great deeds Lt. Murphy or SG York did. With that being said, I would say that my view on Military heroes has changed.
Kayla Stephens
Clayton Horsley Sat. September 7th 2013
Views of Military Heros
Hero, a term that is rarely used to describe people who are indeed heros. A hero, by definition is a "Person who has achieved a great accomplishment or did great community care".
Heros have Dedication to what they do and how they do it. In a military ideal, a Medal of Honor signifies that a man or women in the United States Armed Forces (including the Coast Guard) have exceeded the expectations by a major degree. Although the Medal of Honor display major heroism in the US Armed Forces, The department of the Navy has an award that also shows heroism, dedication and motivation. That award is the Navy Cross. The award is almost as exclusive as the Medal of Honor, being awarded only 6,300 times. The Army and Air Froce also have their distinguished heroism crosses, but they dont rank as high as the Navy Cross.
People don't understand how hard it actually is to be awarded the Medal of Honor or the Navy Cross, because in their video games and movies they are awarded like they have no significant value. When the truth is, to earn those Awards the cost is most likely certain death. The movie and gaming industry are trying to make people believe that you can be the best by killing or taking action in the United States Armed Forces and being a marine, a seaman, and airman, or a soldier.
Chesty Puller is an example of what it takes to earn a high value medal. He was the only marine to earn five Navy crosses, fighting in World War II, the Korean Conflict and the banana wars, he served in a total of more than 12 battles and conflicts. He had what it took.
You don't have to be in the United States Armed Forces to be a hero. Heros are found everywhere in the world today, but they go unnoticed. Like the man who gave the beggar a $20 bill for his next meal, or the police officer who prevented a murder. The therapist who saves another possible suicide attemptee, or the fire who saves a home from a kitchen fire, heroes, like in the movies are everywhere, but people dont understand that being kind or helpful, even to those who dont respect you, that is being a Hero.
Jacori Jack
I would have to say that my view of military heroes has not changed. I have always thought that they would do anything to help their country. So after seeing the video it just made me believe more that I was right. The first video was about Nicholas Oresko. His story was like a Hollywood stereotype in a way. Hollywood has peopled getting hurt and saving the day all the time. In his story he said his leg had been wounded and he had to crawl to get his grenades. The reason it isn’t like a Hollywood movie is because the movie people always have the support of everyone and Mr. Oresko had the support of no one. The next person was Arthur J. Jackson. This story was more like a typically Hollywood story. It would under ‘the new guy saves the day’. He was a private first class he was picked to push on the enemies. He had to make the run t the trenches by himself. Then when he got in his captain brought him satchels to help. Then took out 3 bunkers of people a pillbox by himself. Mr. Jacksons took place on a beach and as he says at the end of all that he almost passed out because of the heat. Mr. Oreskos took place in the jungles of Germany.As he said when he was fight his war it was cold to the point where you could get frost bite. So after being told the story of how these two helped our country I would say the made me appreciate what they have done and what the new Maries will do for our country.
In my opinion the typical Hollywood stereotype is valid, but it is only up to a certain point. It is very rare that the Hollywood stereotype becomes reality but it is possible. For example, in the movie Red Dawn, the new one, just a few people not having any experience revolt killing so many of the enemies that invaded the U.S. with like one any casualty, and about two injuries. This reminded me about what Arthur J. Jackson did, a Private First Class in the Marine Corps. Jackson took out the whole south side of an island with barely any help other than some suppressing fire, and explosives to blow up one bunker. Jackson did all that with little or absolutely no experience.
Like I said earlier, the typical Hollywood stereotype is valid up to a certain point. Just take a look at G.I. Joe, some military man survives explosions, gunfights against advanced enemies, and meets a different highly advanced group of military type people. In this first of all, all of the advanced gadgets suits and weapons the main character were using do not exist anyways. Also he survived explosions, which probably would kill a normal person, he survived advanced weapons shooting at him, and it was just the main character and his friend to survive out of two helicopters and a few humvees. Later on in the movie the main character in the movie makes a huge jump for an advanced aircraft and makes it perfectly.
With all of my thoughts down about the Hollywood stereotype, I have said it before and I will say it again it is valid up to a certain point, even though not all military people do these things, it is very possible.
Joshua Torres
1st period
Reginald Mathis
My view of military heroes has not change since I did not believe in the Hollywood phonies. In Hollywood they exaggerate whenever they try to tell a hero story. They put everything before the actual reason why they are considering heroes. In real life heroes do everything for their country not because of what they want to but because they country they are fighting for. Both of these real heroes have done a service for the country instead of for their own games. Both had the ability to get up and fight the enemies and to do it in an instinct. Even if one had no one to help he and the other had everyone with him. They still had the courage to fight the enemy and to take them out. Hero’s in the movies never die since they are the main actors in that movie. Also movie heroes will never catch the wrong end of a deal because they are the main character. They always seem to come up on top while the heroes in real life can get badly injured or die within an instant. In movies the heroes can make a mistake and try again later. In real life if a hero make a mistake and it can cost them their life a comrade life or even theirs. The heroes in the movies have people with them and in some cases the real heroes only have themselves to depend on. That is my view on military heroes has not changed because I knew that the Hollywood was fake at a young age.
Ali Brinkley
September 8, 2013
The Military is an organization authorized by a greater society to use lethal force to defend its country in combat. We often forget who perform these acts or what they do every day to protect the United States of America, whether it be associated with the military or not. Not all of them survive nor are they recognized.
A hero can be anyone. However, heroism takes bravery and willpower. Heroes are found everyday but don’t necessarily get enough recognition or attention they deserve. Everyone’s been a hero at least one time in their life whether it’s buying a meal for someone dying of starvation or saving someone from drowning. Some may be rewarded better than others; however, every hero is the same to me.
Heroes are found everywhere but in my opinion, any male or female who is in any branch of service of the military is a hero is some type of way. Anyone forced to leave their family and travel across the world to fight for what they love is a hero. Having to eat M.R.E’s, and only having any means of communications with family back home every 100-200 miles is something a lot of us couldn’t overcome, but the people who do, do it for their country.
My mom always tells me there are more people who die in war than just the select few who make it on the news. For example, the group of heroes that will forever remain in my heart are the Navy Seals who killed Osama Bin Laden, on my twelfth birthday, who also died themselves later on. The story was on every website, newspaper, news channel, etc. because of how important it was to this country. However, we neglect the heroes who are wounded and killed every day, who contribute everything they have to keep us safe.
In conclusion, after watching the two videos in class, I rethought what I think about heroes, and why they are so important to me. I think heroes today do not get the amount of attention or recognition that they deserve. Being able to stand behind a full force military, full of heroes, who sacrifice their life for mine and every other American is something words could never explain.
C/Amaree Anderson,
I think most people just have the same cliché answer “I appreciate all those who have fought for my freedom” but none actually look into detail the initiative it takes to be that person. My view has not changed on military heroes, growing up in a military family you truly do become very grateful and it really does change your views. There’s always going to be the same “views” as society. If you have a higher status in society people are going to think you and or your job are more important. And quiet people who may have the same level of importance just not as known are not considered as “great”. My views are completely different. Regardless of the person, if you serve the same job, or importance, than you deserve the same level of honor and respect. Although most people may have the same perspective as me, not all people see it that way. Honestly that’s just life, regardless of who you are if you’re looked at as “popular” people are going to respect you more and see you as more important than someone quiet and not as high in society. In the activity that we did earlier this week really show that although not everything is equal something’s are. Although Nicholas Oresko may not have been as athletic or may not have had the same amount of support he still showed a great amount of bravery and that is well respected. Him being given the same amount of honor as Arthur J. Jackson, proves that regardless of your title in society you can still beat a “stereotype”.
Auzhane Ellis
Sunday, September 8th, 2013
What is a hero? Some people may say Spider-Man, Iron Man, or any other Marvel character. But that’s not quite what a “hero” is. The true definition for a hero is a person; typically a man, in the opinion of others, has performed a heroic act, or has heroic qualities, and considered a model. There are many types of heroes in our everyday lives. Some heroes are small, some heroes are big.
Like for instance, Nicholas Oresko. One Hollywood stereotype of a superhero is that you’re always outgoing or popular. Well, Oresko wasn’t that outgoing in his early years. Sometimes Hollywood would make the hero have a sidekick or a right hand man ready to help, but Oresko was 100% on his own left for himself. Well August of that year, he received the Medal of Honor. Oresko earned the Medal of Honor for leaving alone to fight in the war; he was seriously injured in his hip. He took one of his grenades and threw it at the remaining battlers on the opposing team, finishing the war. In the Military, the Medal of Honor is the first formal system for rewarding acts of individual heroic bravery by the nation by the nation’s fighting men and women. Basically earning this medal signifies that you have over achieved or passed the expectations given to you. This medal has been given out to 3,457 individuals. The Navy has something similar to the Medal of Honor, but theirs is called the Navy Cross. The Navy Cross is almost as important as the Medal of Honor, but has only been given out 6,300 times.
The thing with the Hollywood business is that they present heroes as the incredibly strong, super powers, always fighting the “bad guy” also known as the antagonist. Hollywood character’s awards have no real value to real world society. In the real world, everyone doesn’t have super powers and aren’t always fighting the bad guy. You don’t have to be in the Air Force or other Military category to be a true hero. We have brave heroes in our everyday lives, such as the firefighters who saved the kid in the burning house, the man who gave the poor man a bag of food for the week, or even your parents. Helping anyone with courage and bravery is what a true hero is.
My actual Essay
Military Heroes
By: Clayton Horsley
In today’s world, a hero, in some way has to have power and authority, but what about people who don’t have authority? A hero by definition is and man or woman who has accomplished or achieved a great act serving ones people, community and/or country.
In Hollywood, and all other mainstream media hotspots, traits like Motivation, Dedication, and Heroism are commonly not included in the Hero they are trying to portray, and that would be their largest mistake. Heroes don’t have super powers nor do they have any supernatural help. All a true hero needs is his mind.
In the military, a Medal of Honor is awarded to those who displays traits such as Heroism and leadership and goes ‘over the top’ while preforming his/her duties in the military service. There is another Award that is almost as exclusive as the Medal of Honor, and that would be the Navy Cross, the second highest “ranking” medal in the United States Military, the Navy Cross has only been awarded 6,300 times after it’s commission in the year 1919.
One true military hero, although never earning the Medal of Honor, is Lt. Gen Lewis “Chesty” Puller of the United States Marine Corp. Gen. Puller was awarded the Navy Cross five times, the most any man in the U.S.M.C has. Chesty Puller is also the most decorated Infantry unit there has ever been in the United States military. He is honored by all marines and their families.
Even though most people will not be like Chesty Puller, and become a three star General and the most decorated infantry soldier, anyone and everyone can be a hero. Heroes exist everywhere today. In youth groups going on missions trips, the man giving a $20 bill to the beggar to feed his family, the Fireman saving a home from a kitchen fire, the Police Officer who prevented a murder, or the Therapist who prevented someone from killing themselves . Heroes are not just military personnel, heroes come in all forms, and the trait to be a hero is in every human being.
Tylor White
9/5/13
JROTC
Homework
I think that my view of military hero’s has changed. I thought that Hollywood heroes were the hero’s. Because I thought that could actually happen, but now that I think about it no Hollywood heroes are not as big as military heroes. The reason why I think that military heroes are bigger than Hollywood heroes is because Hollywood heroes are not really doing anything in real life, but military heroes are different because they actually did something to save other people’s lives. Military heroes are save countries and facing a lot harder stuff than we think that they are. Some do not get as much appreciation as they should get. Some of the people that get the Medal of Honor were under estimated. Others are told to get the Medal of Honor. What I mean by that is there commander tell them to do something to get rid of guys that are killing a lot of men and in the end they get the Medal of Honor. So sometimes there is a one man army and other times there is a whole squad. I say that both of the people are worthy of the Medal of Honor. Hollywood heroes are nothing compared to military heroes. Some people that get the Medal of Honor are wounded and sometimes killed. Some may survive to tell there tale of winning the war just because of their actions. Some of the people are expected to get the Medal of Honor, but others are the odd man out and people think he is just going to get killed.
Isaiah Mitchell
My view on the military heroes has not changed because I still think that are they are good people and are doing the right thing for our country. All military heroes have done a self-sacrificing action to receive many different metals
I’m glad that they have been fighting for our country and risking their lives, our country would probably not be as together as it is if we didn't have brave men and women like them. Most people don’t realize the guts and power it takes to do such a selfless thing. Families get the terrible news about loved ones not making it back home. It’s sad that people take America for granted. We have a great opportunity and some people just spit on it and treat it like trash. It’s like no one cares about all the men and woman who never make it home.
So when I take it all under consideration I just smile, I smile at the fact that we have people who care enough to put their lives on the line to save us. Without these people we might be enslaved and our country would be taken over by people who could care less about us and treat us like smashed flies. But then I think there are people who think our troops aren't even worth two flies smashed. But let me tell you something it’s not our troops that aren't worth two flies smashed it’s the people who think that.
So in conclusion I can proudly say that the brave men and woman who fight for our country diserve the respect that they get. I can just imagine how proud they are making their family and friends, by putting their lives on the line for their families, friends, and even people they don’t even know. I’m a very blessed boy to know that I live in a country where people care about me and would die for me. So with that I wouldn't change my mind about our troops not now not ever.
George Bishop
I find that military heroes come in many shapes and forms. Some can be praised for the amount of kills they have made or for the amount of lives they may have saved. I know of some soldiers that were Nazi’s that saved thousands of Jews. I believe a hero is somebody that does good for the greater good and believes they are they to help somebody, not someone who has a large tally of kills. To me a hero title is something that has to be earned through courageousness and bravery. A hero is somebody who will risk their life for someone else. A hero is unaware of the recognition that will probably come with their good deed but does it anyway because it was or is the right thing to do. In the moment that a decision needs to be made it is just made without hesitation. A person who is willing to give his life for someone else because he sees their life is more important than his own is what I consider a hero. Usually those with the “fight” response in tense situations are known as heroes. An example of this is, when passengers of one of the flights of 9/11 knew that they were going to die but they did not just let it happen, they took action and brought the flight down in the middle of a field rather than allowing it to take down another building that would kill hundreds more. They are heroes because they did not give up, in a desperate time they still continued to fight and showed courage.
by: De'Jha Nixon
The Hollywood version of a true hero is nothing like the actual realization that happens when you see a true hero. We have been brainwashed to believe a true is what we see on television. The definition of a hero is a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities [dictionary.com]. Any person of any background can be a hero no matter your background.
Arthur Jackson is your typical idea when you think of a hero. He grew up the popular kid. We are talking about the varsity football player, had a bunch of friends, and an athlete. When he went to go sign up for the military they automatically approved him because of his background and stature. Just because he was your typical hero doesn’t mean he didn’t live up to the high expectations. Receiving the Medal of Honor for risking his life for his country he was a well deserving recipient for his title.
Nicholas Oresko was nowhere near your typical hero when it comes to background. His father unapproved sports and was very strict when it came to academics. Nick had very few friends and had no athletic background. I picture him as the nerd in school. Even without being as physically equipped as Arthur I believe he did more. As Master Sergeant of the U.S Army, 302nd infantry, 94th infantry division he charged into army farmer without backup from his team. His team was afraid to go into fire so they stayed behind. While being injured from being shot in the hip, he also army crawled back to get grenades he dropped on the first crawl to his previous location. Throwing the bomb he wiped out the machine guns and killed the remaining opposing soldiers all by himself. He also received the Medal of Honor.
So although one of the heroes didn’t fit the ideal picture of your Rambo or Superman he was still a hero none the less. So even though all heroes don’t wear capes or have super powers they still are heroes. Saving millions of people or even a few people with your courage is what it is all about. To say the least, my typical idea of a hero has changed a lot, and for the better. It’s your actions that make you a hero not your background.
Asha Stewart
My view of military heroes has never changed nor will it ever. In my opinion a hero is anyone who is willing to put their lives on the line to save another person. You don’t need to have a fancy uniform or be anyone special to be a hero. To be a hero you just need to have the same qualities as Medal of Honor winner’s Nicholas Oresko and Arthur J. Jackson. Loyalty, Honesty, Patriotism, and good citizenship are just some of the characteristics a hero has.
Sometimes it does seem that most heroes are policeman or someone in the military. That is most likely because these human beings have gone through specific training that helps to reveal the hero inside them. For these individuals it is easier to help out those in need, for they know how to help. To me, it makes it increasingly more amazing that someone who hasn't gone through training can be a hero. A simple, everyday being that goes out of their way to to help a fellow in need.
A year ago in Colorado when a crazed gunman waltzed into a movie theater one young man did not hesitate to shield his girlfriend from harms way. As James Holmes came in and begun to open fire on the innocent movie goers, Alexander Teves, quickly moved atop his girlfriend and gave his own life to save what he held most dear to him. In this final act of valor I believe this brave man earned nothing less than to be called a hero. He had no training and yet still gave all he had to protect another. So as for the typical Hollywood stereotype, no, I don't believe it.
Alek Poliks
My vision of a military hero has definitely changed after listening to the experiences of the two medal of honor recipients. Hollywood doesn't really know how to portray the idea of a military hero. They just basically give some dude a gun, stunt doubles and they add some explosions if only to try to make them look pleasing to the human eye. In actuality, a real military hero has to have experienced actual battle, done something that everyone will remember that gave them a heroic identity, and in some cases, they have to survive a situation that would easily cost them their life. People tend to look to movies or games to find their heroes and they are so absorbed in it that they don't even realize that the real heroes are standing right in front of them. Whenever I see something that says it was based off a true story, I always think that it never accurately describes what it is based off of. That relates to military heroes because if someone makes something based off a real military hero its never accurate enough. That's my opinion of military heroes.
My view of the story is that the two military soldiers are heroes because they both sacrifice their self to help to untied states to victory and won a metal of honor of the will to help the united states of American. One of the military named Nicholas Oresko, he was a master sergeant and he led the team to Germany in 1945. He NEEDS the team to follow him to kill the Germany, but the team was nervures to go with him, so he went by himself.
He walked 50 feet away of the team. When he got close, the Germany fire with everything they got. He got shot on his left hip and crawled to cover and praying to stay alive. He kills 34 Germany with his pistol. Other military named Arthur j. Jackson, he was a private first class and he was a football star for Texas A & M QB. He was walking to the whole of Russians and bomb them with a flag and ran 30 miles of sprinting to his bass
Elijah Fergerson
Ric soules 9/5/13
I don’t believe that the typical Hollywood stereotype is valid because unlike the Hollywood stereotype, our military does not run around shooting everything in sight. I see Hollywood stereotypes as these actors running around dodging bullets, grenades and tanks without getting hurt while everyone around them is injured or dead. For instance in the movie The Expendables, all the good guys are portrayed as invincible where a bomb goes off and only the bad guys are injured or killed. The good guys take on a force ten times bigger than them, but somehow they make it out unharmed and they stopped all the bad guys.
Then you have real life heroes where usually if the force is ten times their size they would lose or have many of their men die. If a bomb does go off near them in real life the person would be injured or even killed. G.I. Joe is a perfect example of the stereotype that is not realistic. These heroes are almost like super heroes, whose weapons seem to have unlimited ammo. They also seem to have high tech gear and body armor. This would be great for our real military members but it is not the case.
The real military heroes are not invincible, they run out of ammunition, they do get injured, and they do die. The real heroes are those who give up more than we can ever imagine and not ask for anything in return.
Lamar Dunn
There are not a lot of hero’s in the world. But For the men who earn the Medal of Honor. They have the right to be called a hero. They didn’t do it for fame or recognition. They did because they had to. A Military hero isn’t Learned or acted out. A real military hero is someone who is will to risk his life for his comrades, and his country. They risk everything to ensure that victory is theirs. People like Nicholas Oresko and Arthur J. Jackson are Military hero. There individual action defines the characteristic of a Military hero. Valor, Bravery, courage, and determination. Show what a military hero is made of. By the example of Nicholas Oresko. He had no support from his brigade and Took out two German pillboxes. With nothing but a grenade and his rifle in his hand. With that in thought he was bleeding out and he possibly thought that he was gone die. But that didn’t detrude him from the mission. He had to do what he had to do. This is a fine example of a Military hero. Arthur J. Jackson is another fin example for a military hero. He was in the Pacific the island of Peleliu. He was under fire by multiple machine gun fire. He did what he had to and killed 55 Japanese and 5 Bunkers. He planted satchel charges at the bunker. Two men different Situations same result’s. The Hollywood perspective is valid only in some movies. The rest of the movies depicting military hero are not very active. For example saving Private Ryan was an Acceptable movie. Major Payne and other movies are not.
Cadet Mi’Quel Muldrow
From watching the videos and listening to the debate we had last Thursday my opinion on real Medal of Honor recipients and Hollywood movies has not changed. In movies, the main character throws themselves into a great peril and saves the day but with a little more explosions. In real life when a person is faced with something that may or may not work for the mission, they have to make an important choice and put their lives on the line. By reading this I’m almost sure anybody would say that these aren’t very different except for the fact that sometimes the main character in the movie may or may not be fictional. Since normally movies about real things are thrown out of proportion I think these types of movies were set to a certain standard to not destroy the reputation of the Military or the other Branch of Services but of course some directors go overboard. Most some movies are fictional stories of people who risk their life to do some impossible task that most people wouldn’t do and come back alive. While some of these movies are based on true stories, to get better ratings and more money they have to bend the actual story. Nicholas Oresko was a master sergeant or a group who didn’t go with him after he issued an order to them and ended up having to do it on his own. If they were to make a movie about Nicholas Oresko They might have to add in maybe a love interest to get more ratings rather than him just running out in the open behind enemy lines and destroying a Machine gun by himself permitting him to get the Medal of Honor. That is my opinion on the differences of real MoH recipients and Hollywood Movies.
C/ Madison Bass
9/9/13
After hearing the stories of each of these couragouse men I have to say that while my opnion of a military personel has not change . I still have a better view of just how honest are millitary personel are when they say they will lay down their lives for this country. In some minds of the younger generations, expecially now in the younger ones, hollywoods versons of our coutries military is what they imagine the real military to be like, but what they don’t know is that even though in some hollywood movies where the military personel are some what accuarte in the way they act , the actuality of them being a spot on copy is a chance that is very far off. For example in the movies if you pay close attention one major copenent is the uniform and how it is worn. You will be able to find ribbons medles amd rank all out of order. this is actually how they are told to wear it because if they were to actually wear the uniform properly someone ( I have no idea who would but the government seems to think it) might just report them for impersonating a united states military personel. Also in the movies you see them rank up like day after day and in reality that is not posable. In my opinion the way I view a military personel is not the movie verson but what I see in the actuall marines and others around me. I see men and women that are stressed over desk work not just over a stratagy to win for when they on the front line. I also see them trying to be resonable to the workers under them, that doesn’t mean im seeing them NOT yell for some stupid mistake cause I have seen that. But the real deal knows how to stay come and collected while in movies they bite your head off. So to answer the question point blank no my opinion has not been changed but it never was a hollywood opinion to begin with.
Fietz, Elijha
In the Hollywood movies the heroes are these bold men who are tall and buff. They can have an assault rifle aimed and fired at them and not on bullet will hit them. Sometimes Hollywood heroes can be shot eight times in the chest and still gallantly sprint into battle. When hero's blow things up, they don't have enough time to get away, so they go flying, they get back up, and go back fighting.
In other words, Hollywood heroes are unrealistic. When one of the guys was shot in the leg, in the video, he was weakened! If that happened in a movie, there would be a thirty minute scene with that guy crying and then dying. But instead in real life, he got over the pain and crawled towards the machine gun and killed all of those enemy Germans. When Hollywood hero's kill a bunch of people they don't seem to care, and they will kill like five hundred more enemies. But with the guys in the video, you can tell it kind of bothered them, they seemed not to feel one hundred percent about themselves.
At the men would not listen to the commander in the video, the part would have never happened in a Hollywood movie. Somehow the Hollywood hero would say some cheesy words of encouragement and get everyone to do as he says. Hollywood heroes also are not affected by warm weather, it can be a thousand degrees, and he or she would be out where ever doing whatever. The guy in the second video was affected by the weather because after everything was said and done he was just tired.
I think that the typical Hollywood stereotype is valid because there wouldn’t people here if it weren’t for the. For example the Hollywood singer/actor Demi Lovato has changed people lives. She was bullied and abused in high school and middle school because she was different. She went to rehab and other things because it was that bad. She then went to many different foundations to try to help get rid of bulling. People were killing themselves because it became so over whelming to them but Demi Lovato helped them through it. She wrote a song called for the love of a daughter and it was about how her father was abusive and used her and was a drunk. Then she wrote a song called skyscraper and it was about how people used to tear her down but then she realized and said that they couldn’t and she was skyscraper and she rose above them and was the better person. She didn’t let it get to her and didn’t commit suicide like other people are doing. She told her family and friends and they helped her through it so she was never really alone. There is always someone there to help people and Demi Lovato was there to help them. I also feel her pain because it isn’t easy to get through but it is easy to hide… So this is why I agree that the Hollywood stereotype is valid. Though there are people who faked all their pain to get publicity which is just stupid and selfish of them.
Cadet N. Martin. September 9, 2013
I think that the typical Hollywood stereotype is valid because there wouldn’t people here if it weren’t for the. For example the Hollywood singer/actor Demi Lovato has changed people lives. She was bullied and abused in high school and middle school because she was different. She went to rehab and other things because it was that bad. She then went to many different foundations to try to help get rid of bulling. People were killing themselves because it became so over whelming to them but Demi Lovato helped them through it. She wrote a song called for the love of a daughter and it was about how her father was abusive and used her and was a drunk. Then she wrote a song called skyscraper and it was about how people used to tear her down but then she realized and said that they couldn’t and she was skyscraper and she rose above them and was the better person. She didn’t let it get to her and didn’t commit suicide like other people are doing. She told her family and friends and they helped her through it so she was never really alone. There is always someone there to help people and Demi Lovato was there to help them. I also feel her pain because it isn’t easy to get through but it is easy to hide… So this is why I agree that the Hollywood stereotype is valid. Though there are people who faked all their pain to get publicity which is just stupid and selfish of them.
Cadet N. Martin. September 9, 2013
JROTC Essay
TJ Murrell
9/9/13
My view on military heroes have never been the military soldiers in movies but have been military soldiers who have risked their lives to save our country and our families. I always know that they were the true heroes. Even if they didn’t go and take out a bunker like Oresko or take out an island like Jackson, they are still a hero in my eyes. They fight for us, without them we would be ruled and/or tortured by a different country. My father, my mother, Sgt. Griep, Col. Mac you are all heroes in my eyes for serving and protecting your country. I think that people like Jackson and Oresko are great men and deserve the title hero but the rest of the military should also. Even though they both did the task by themselves, they weren’t alone. Someone told them to go out in battle which was someone higher in ranks in the military. They weren’t as alone as it seems, the whole military should get at least some credit in all of this. They make our lives easy so that we don’t have to go through so much pain and suffering. The mothers, fathers, and single soldiers that lost their lives for us are the heroes that should always be remembered in their families because they are no longer alive because they served their country. The movies don’t capture just how important, just how heroic the people in the military actually are. I thank the military for protecting me, my family, and my country.
McKenzy Worthington
I have spoken to many different Branches of the Military. I have a family friend that is in Afghanistan who comes home in about a month (hopefully). I recently talked to him about a week ago and; I asked him what he was doing, how things are and so on. He said he was just sitting around, taking some classes. I though, how interesting that he was just sitting around taking classes. I knew that he wasn't getting shot at every hour of the day or throwing grenades into trenches and what not but I thought that they would be a little more productive. But, I have also talked to another good family friend and he said when he went to Afghanistan he was mostly on "post". I have asked him if he had gotten shot at he said, "Hell Yeah! All the time!" That is what I primarily thought would be happening in Afghanistan, open fire 24/7. I guess the Hollywood movies had gotten to me. So I can say that I wouldn't say "stereotypical", but to some degree I guess I can see what Hollywood is advertising. I can’t see Tom Cruz going over to Afghanistan and fighting for his own freedom. He would be scared out of his ball sack and be running home to his mama. Hollywood is brainwashing people. Hollywood makes it look so easy to walk away from a building that just got blown up, man just standing next to a 13’ fire is hot! The waves from the explosion will blow you away (literally). I will someday be going into the Military and there is no way I shall be advertised as some kind of Hollywood movie.
Anonymous said:
My military hero’s point of view has not changed, because every hero has their own way of which made them who they are today or back then. To me I always believed that a hero was a soldier who was someone that was like a leader. Someone who could take pressure through any assignment that was given to him. I believed that a military hero was someone who followed there gut and what they have learned and made a decision that seemed ridiculous to his squad but would make a difference in the end. A soldier that would risk his own life to continue a mission or even for his own squadron is a true hero to me. A soldier that is willing to do whatever is necessary to complete a mission. In which shows their true loyalty, honesty and dedication that they have to risk his life for all mankind. A soldier may seem like someone who is just wasting their time and life for us but that is what makes a soldier a true soldier. Because if you gave some random person a gun and told them to go to war they would look at you like you were crazy, or they would be scared to death. But a soldier is someone completely different because they have had training in order to go into the war and risk their lives in order for us to have peace and prosperity. Like I said my point of view of military hero has not changed and will not change. For even I know I could never compare to a true hero.
-Cadet Marla Kerai
9/9/13
Anonymous said:
My military hero’s point of view has not changed, because every hero has their own way of which made them who they are today or back then. To me I always believed that a hero was a soldier who was someone that was like a leader. Someone who could take pressure through any assignment that was given to him. I believed that a military hero was someone who followed there gut and what they have learned and made a decision that seemed ridiculous to his squad but would make a difference in the end. A soldier that would risk his own life to continue a mission or even for his own squadron is a true hero to me. A soldier that is willing to do whatever is necessary to complete a mission. In which shows their true loyalty, honesty and dedication that they have to risk his life for all mankind. A soldier may seem like someone who is just wasting their time and life for us but that is what makes a soldier a true soldier. Because if you gave some random person a gun and told them to go to war they would look at you like you were crazy, or they would be scared to death. But a soldier is someone completely different because they have had training in order to go into the war and risk their lives in order for us to have peace and prosperity. Like I said my point of view of military hero has not changed and will not change. For even I know I could never compare to a true hero.
-Cadet Marla Kerai
9/9/13
Anonymous said:
My military hero’s point of view has not changed, because every hero has their own way of which made them who they are today or back then. To me I always believed that a hero was a soldier who was someone that was like a leader. Someone who could take pressure through any assignment that was given to him. I believed that a military hero was someone who followed there gut and what they have learned and made a decision that seemed ridiculous to his squad but would make a difference in the end. A soldier that would risk his own life to continue a mission or even for his own squadron is a true hero to me. A soldier that is willing to do whatever is necessary to complete a mission. In which shows their true loyalty, honesty and dedication that they have to risk his life for all mankind. A soldier may seem like someone who is just wasting their time and life for us but that is what makes a soldier a true soldier. Because if you gave some random person a gun and told them to go to war they would look at you like you were crazy, or they would be scared to death. But a soldier is someone completely different because they have had training in order to go into the war and risk their lives in order for us to have peace and prosperity. Like I said my point of view of military hero has not changed and will not change. For even I know I could never compare to a true hero.
-Cadet Marla Kerai
9/9/13
Shaylynn Norrell
My perspective on military heroes hasn’t changed that much it has just been adjusted a little bit by the videos I watched. Nicholas Oresko, one of the men I watched the video on, had a moment where he was completely alone with his men more than 50 feet behind him. In most movies a soldier is never alone. He always has his men with him or right behind him. In this case he went out on his own as a leader and while on the way out he was fired at and hit in the hip. Hollywood makes the movies seem more like the other man’s story, Author J. Jackson. In his story his men were behind him and helped him take out the enemy. What I’m trying to say is it’s not always like the movie, where the soldier gets to go home to his wife and kids at the end.
I guess before I thought that was the way most of Hollywood portrayed marines, turns out there was a slight difference. What both men did was honorable, but in my opinion Oresko was a greater hero than Jackson was, because he knew his life was on the line, but he stepped up and was willing to die for his country and his men and I think Hollywood portrays more teamwork than being by yourself when it comes to this situation. Even though I think Oresko was a better hero, both men in a whole were very brave and deserved the Medals of Honor they received.
My idea of a hero has not changed since seeing the two videos that we watched Friday. I have always thought that Hollywood’s view of hero’s was always misunderstood and that they always looked at the hero as being some big, enormous, can’t do wrong person. On the other hand the videos that we saw Friday gave me a different outlook as to what real hero’s do to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Fighting for our country takes a lot of courage, discipline, and many other things that these men had in order to become the heroes that they have come to be known as. The videos that we watched has given me a since of personal pride that I have always had for the men and women that fight for this great nation. My stepfather has talked to me about the things that they done in Iraq and Afghanistan and he said that, “He has the ultimate respect for these Men”. The things that these two men did with the equipment that they had at that time were definitely good in any one’s book. My idea will never change for that reason alone and will not be changed because of what Hollywood would portray any hero as far as that matters. These men, along with the women, of this great nation has always had my respect when it comes to the bravery, Honor, Courage, and Commitment of the people that will stand up to fight the wars that need to be fought to protect our freedoms.
-Marcus Dorsey
What is a hero? A hero is someone who is trying to help others or the country it’s not technically someone who has powers or can fly in the sky. My views on heroes have not changed because in 1945 a military man named Nicholas Oresko almost risked his life by crawling back to get the grenade while under shooting fires. Oresko felt like he was the outcast man because no one listened to him or followed him. He was alone during the whole entire war because his men thought he was dead until all the gunfire was done. During this whole entire battle Nicholas was also injured in the leg and couldn’t do much without his troops and the other side Arthur J. Jackson was given commands to go to a beach and blow up the bunkers the Japanese had to end the war. They both got rewards not because of their courageness or braveness but because it should that these two people would fight us to risk their lives. The Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military honor awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the calls of duty. The President of the United States in the name of the Congress awards the medal to the Us Military personnel. There have been 3,468 Medals of Honor awarded to the nations soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and coastguardsmen. In too conclusion these two men Oresko and Jackson are true heroes because they served their time in the military and saved the countries. Are these two heroes’ to you? What’s your definition of a hero?
Jania' Johnson
Things had changed during the years of military heroes cause back in the day military heroes were each being judge by their personality and what they are capable of doing like these to side story’s one was not popular and he was the only one that did something while his squad didn’t he didn’t have nobody’s support he’s was just alone while the other guy was not alone he was popular and he did had support from his squad and everyone had followed him into the war and everyone listened to him while in this stereotype heroes everybody always seem to be listening to the heroes of Hollywood and always seem that the heroes always seem to be either poplar or they became popular from some big war or an event that happen during that time. Some of the heroes of today’s society have changed from the back in the day society where they actually did something to get a medal of honor while these people in Hollywood are making up heroes just for fun and enjoyment and sometimes making up stories of heroes or sometimes they be telling a real story of an actual event that happen in real life so yes people have changed during the years. Daiquan head
Things had changed during the years of military heroes cause back in the day military heroes were each being judge by their personality and what they are capable of doing like these to side story’s one was not popular and he was the only one that did something while his squad didn’t he didn’t have nobody’s support he’s was just alone while the other guy was not alone he was popular and he did had support from his squad and everyone had followed him into the war and everyone listened to him while in this stereotype heroes everybody always seem to be listening to the heroes of Hollywood and always seem that the heroes always seem to be either poplar or they became popular from some big war or an event that happen during that time. Some of the heroes of today’s society have changed from the back in the day society where they actually did something to get a medal of honor while these people in Hollywood are making up heroes just for fun and enjoyment and sometimes making up stories of heroes or sometimes they be telling a real story of an actual event that happen in real life so yes people have changed during the years. Daiquan Head
McGraw
My perspective on military heroes has changed greatly from watching these two clips. Watching a movie about war and people risking their lives in them looks so easy but when u see people who have actually done it and u see what they had to go through it makes a big difference. People may think it’s easy or say something like I could do that but under all the pressure of killing someone or being injured and killing some body can be really hard. Some people may say wow that guy made a couple of good kills with a bomb but in reality that was probably one of the hardest decisions he has ever mad e and probably will ever make and that’s why these men deserve every bit of that medal and my respect. Another reason why my mind has been changed is because in movies the people risking their lives seem invincible and it’s not true these men actually are getting wounded and making courageous acts as the men in the videos did. One of the guys was shot in the leg and managed to crawl to a hole see he was under a machine gun and reach for a grenade relax zing he didn’t have one and crawl to get one trigger a booby trap and still make the kill he needed to succeed and finish the mission. If I was the man who got shot I would have just laid on the ground and died but this man said to himself if I let these people down than it would be like letting my parents down and that would be bad so that’s how my perspective has changed
C/2nd Lt. Asuncion
September 09, 2013
JROTC III
Honestly, I've always had the same view for military heroes, so really nothing has changed at all. After watching both videos, I can understand that both men were merely different. One was a football player, and one was a troublemaker. Regardless, I saw the same traits that all military heroes had inside these two men. I firmly believe that everyone can agree with me when I say that military heroes all had different beginnings. Some may have been troublemakers like MSgt. Oresko, and some might have been athletes, stars, or even just popular like PFC Jackson. But no matter how their backgrounds started, all of them rose up to the challenge when their leaders had fallen and they in turn became great leaders themselves.
Now, whether the typical Hollywood stereotype is valid or not is a whole different story. If you were to ask me that question, I would say I'm currently undecided. The reason? There are movies that are based on real life stories. You know ones that are accurately depicted? And then there are those movies where they make us feel like they're laughing at the military. An example of that kind of movie would be Major Payne. No one salutes military personnel like he did. Yes, its a great movie but its definitely stereotypical. The movie Pearl Harbor would be an example of an accurately depicted movie. It really goes in depth with a major event in history. And it even shows the stories of the heroes who rose up to the challenge, like Doris Miller.
C/ Attridge
Heroes come from different jobs but my view on military heroes has still not changed. I come from a family of many military veterans. Military heroes have been heroes for America since the American Revolution. They have been protecting our nation for over 200 years. We have been winning many wars within that time period. No matter what force came and attacked us, we still stayed strong and overcame the opposing forces. Both of my grandfathers and my father were in the military. They have always been a hero for me and till this day, one of my grandfathers is still a hero by being a fireman. Military soldiers experience different things than what the media says. The “typical Hollywood stereotype” is based off how they see what went through the eyes of the soldiers. War movies would be much better if they were played and/ or directed by the actual soldiers themselves. When I hear stories of when one of my family members was in the military, I feel like I’m there. Movies don’t give me that feeling. I am choosing to go into the military so I can understand how the heroes of our nation felt. I want to be considered as a hero of the nation that I have lived in my whole life. It would also make me feel that I am giving back to what was given to me, freedom. As long as this country has its freedom. No other force will be able to take us down.
C/ Javier
Personally after watching the two videos about Nicholas Oresko and Arthur J. Jackson my view on military heroes hasn't really changed at all. When it comes to typical Hollywood stereotypes if you really think about everything that happens in those movies will most likely never happen in real life and they just put it in there for a better movie. For example people in those movies could get shot 10-20 times and still live. The definition of a military hero to me is anyone who is willing to give up their life to save another persons life. The value of the other individuals life is bigger and greater than their owns. Nicholas Oresko and Arthur J. Jackson both fit these definitions to me. Aurthur J. Jackson risked his life for his platoons left flank that was caught up by Japanese fire that were in strong positions apposed to them. Mr. Jackson went from one gun position to another just destroying and killing the enemy on his own. He ended up taking out twelve pillboxes and fifty Japanese soldiers. Nicholas Oresko on the other hand didn't take out as much soldiers as Arthur J. Jackson but i think his deed was just as important as his. Nicholas Oresko braved bullets (which actually hit him) and worked alone until he could throw a grenade into the enemy position. He ended up basically doing this twice except the second time he was seriously wounded to the hip and suffering from blood loss but he still continued to fight. Even after the task was done it was said that Oresko refused to be evacuated until he was assured the mission was successfully accomplished. These both are my definitions of military heroes.
Cadet McClinton
The military is way different from the views from actors and actresses in movies and on TV shows. They try to make the military heroes always succeed and never show how some of them never come back but also gave their lives to help someone else. in movies the hero is always the one that survives when we have heroes now who have died in combat or was killed by being kidnapped. In real life we get to see the ones that have returned and has also has gave their lives in order for us to have our freedom. Like John Harley Robertson who has been found living in Vietnam 44 years after he was presumed dead when his helicopter was shot down. He was captured and beaten surverily but survived. Nicholas Oresko who had to go on his own to be shot in the hip by a machine and still manage to take out out enemy men. In Hollywood movies you see things that are unrealistic and have no meaning in the purpose of the military and that doesn't make them look like they want to help us at all. The only thing you really see in movies is how the military is hiding things from the US and they usually deal with them fighting off aliens of some sort. You never see things in real life situations unless you actually live it for yourself. In the show Army Wives you actually see realistic things that you can relate to and understand. In SyFy movies you don't really see anything that you would say that could happen now. The actors and actresses don't get the proper training that military people get to actually understand and see why they go and fight for our country and to keep us safe they just see a way to make to money. If they took time to sit down and think and see the war from military women and men point of view i think they would want to change the way the TV sees the military. Military is a respectable thing to do and we all should respect them and try our best to make them be viewed with the respect they deserve and the kindness,bravery,and strongness they have. if we didn't have the military more than likely we wouldn't have the ability to be our person and have our religion and beliefs. So I think the way they make the military seem isn't the way I would view the military.
Chris Panella
September 9, 2013
Hero Essay
What is a hero? The scholastic dictionary says that a hero is a brave or good person that does a selfless act. To me this means that a hero can be anyone, anywhere at any time. Anyone can be a hero. They can be a war hero or an everyday hero.
It doesn’t matter how small the task as long as it is selfless. For example, a hero can be a person, who stops an act of bullying, a person who pushes a girl out of the way from getting hit by a car, and even a person who helps an old lady carry groceries can be a hero. To me the title of hero can be given to anyone for any small task. There are many Hollywood editions of the hero. Many involve the popular guys with either lots of money, strength, or super powers saving the day from some villains plans. Another edition can be the super spy who saves the day from someone or some countries plans.
Moral of the story, the hero “saves the day” from something disastrous. Just to list some examples, Iron Man, Green Lantern, and even Thor. Then on the other end there are movies where they took the unpopular guy and gave him super powers. Even then though, they usually become popular by the end of the movie, which puts them in the same boat as the others. The weird thing is, in real life not all of the real heroes are popular.
For example, Nicholas Oresko of the U.S.M.C. Nicholas Oresko was leading his unit to take out the German machine guns at the top of the hill. The next day he wakes up his unit and asks if they are ready and not a single person was. They were all scared so, Oresko went by himself and took out both guns after being wounded. He is a hero who was not the popular guy. Then on the other hand there is Arthur Jackson.
Arthur Jackson was a popular guy who played sports in high school. Arthur Jackson was told to run to a trench 100 feet away. Once there he was given some C4 and blew up a tent. He then went out and killed about 50 people. He is the other side of the quarter because he was the popular hero. The other thing about the Hollywood edition is that all of them had some kind of power or had lots of money. Neither Oresko nor Jackson had these. This means that even though a lot of the characteristics line up, the Hollywood edition isn’t true.
Antonia Robinson
ROTC lll
From what I have seen over the years and what I have been told about the military heroism I would like to say most of the Hollywood stereotypes are not valid. Some movies may try to resemble some things heroes went through during missions and combat, but I bet the movie doesn’t even explain have of the things that the real heroes had gone through. For example in the movie saving Private Ryan or like that movie wind talkers. You see they do these movies and I bet the people that they are trying to resemble while watching the movie there probably saying in their heads “man these people just don’t know”. Also like the movie Battle Ship, and retails. The movie company K. it’s not really real it’s based on a novel by William March. I believe heroes should be address for who they are and what they have done, like Oliver Hazard Perry. He served in the War of 1812 against Britain; he also received the Congressional Gold Medal and the Thanks of Congress. There are many heroes in our world today. I personally enjoy the Hollywood stereo types, but I often think about what it was like to be in their positions at that moment in their lives, and wonder if I could be able to do as they did. As I conclude I too one day would like to become a hero in the Military and be able to tell of my great experiences.
Hollywood Real
Antonia Robinson
ROTC lll
From what I have seen over the years and what I have been told about the military heroism I would like to say most of the Hollywood stereotypes are not valid. Some movies may try to resemble some things heroes went through during missions and combat, but I bet the movie doesn’t even explain have of the things that the real heroes had gone through. For example in the movie saving Private Ryan or like that movie wind talkers. You see they do these movies and I bet the people that they are trying to resemble while watching the movie there probably saying in their heads “man these people just don’t know”. Also like the movie Battle Ship, and retails. The movie company K. it’s not really real it’s based on a novel by William March. I believe heroes should be address for who they are and what they have done, like Oliver Hazard Perry. He served in the War of 1812 against Britain; he also received the Congressional Gold Medal and the Thanks of Congress. There are many heroes in our world today. I personally enjoy the Hollywood stereo types, but I often think about what it was like to be in their positions at that moment in their lives, and wonder if I could be able to do as they did. As I conclude I too one day would like to become a hero in the Military and be able to tell of my great experiences.
Hollywood Real
Noah Anderson
9/9/13
My view on hollywood heroes and military heroes has not changed I always thought that military heroes are the real heroes especially the ones who have sacrificed there lives for our freedom. Hollywood made people like rambo (who was a deseter in real life) and made them "heroes" I have more respect for the two medal of honor recipeints than any hollywood hero. Speaking of the medal of honor recipeints I feel they were both courages and honorable people they both deserve respect and I don't belive one is better than the other because they. Both accomplished great feats and went above and beond the mission they had to do. I don't belive one was better than the other just because one had cover and one did not they both put there lives on the line ready to die if they had to. I also belive that the biggest heroes are the ones who have givin there lives for our freedom and could not tell the tale of there heroism. That is my opinion on the real heroes.
Kristen Higgins
My view of military heroes hasn't really changed. To me, a hero is someone that risks their life to save other people. I believe what Nicholas Oresko and Arthur J. Jackson did were definitely the qualities of a hero. When I heard about how they received the Medal of Honor, I was amazed by how brave both of them were. They weren't just brave though, they were fearless, determined, and any other words that can describe a hero. Even though they both had very different backgrounds, they both had some of the same qualities of a hero. If you ask any little kid who they're hero is, I bet most of them would say Spiderman or Superman or Batman. But I know that other little kids would say they're parents are too. But most of them would say their hero is someone from a movie or a show, someone like Superman. The Hollywood stereotype doesn't really depict the idea of a hero. Well, a military hero. It's all made up. Well most movies are made up. They're for entertaining us. I mean unless they're just doing a reenactment of what happened during some of the battles, some of it might be true. Even though some of the movies that were made are really cool to watch, they're no where near as cool as what both Nicholas Oresko and Arthur J. Jackson did. They risked they're lives to save other people. These are the true heroes. I never really changed my view on military leaders because I always thought of the, as fearless, brave, and strong men and women. Basically, the typical Hollywood stereotype isn't valid.
C/Thomas Bethea
My view of military hero’s has changed after watching these Medal of Honor recipients. A regular person does not fully comprehend the strain of battle; if they watched these videos they would be surprised. Personally I knew that men and women went to battle to fight for our right to freedom, but I did not know that out of many noble soldiers only a few would go without hesitation straight into the line of fire. These two stories in general intrigue me because they are completely different. MSgt. Oresko was turned on by his own troops and single handedly took out a machine gun and also enemy troops with one grenade. While PFC. Jackson on the other hand had his troops and the Navy helping him take out enemy troops. So this tells me that there really is only one, in this case “Man among boys”, that is a true hero in a broader class of individuals we see as hero’s. Something else that has come to my attention is that movies are in a way insulting to the military. Yes in many scenarios they are entertaining to see but is it really too much to ask for some accuracy. Small things like a correct execution of a salute are not in my opinion that hard to figure out. So no military hero’s in the movies are not valid because most of the time they are not accurately portraying the real situations or decisions that a real hero would have to face.
Samantha Suggs
My view on military heros has changed . When thinking of how Hollywood portrays military heros, I think of them as bloody men who have just finished an incredible mission in some foreign country with help all along the way. Or even a man or woman with the highest rank and challenging everyday duties and tough decisions to make. If they made the correct decision, they could alter everything, end a war, and become another hero in time. Watching the medal of honor recipients experience videos I realize that this is not always the case. The hero doesn't have to be bloody and covered in battle scars, and he doesn't always have to have help along the way, he doesn't even have to be in some other foreign country or make very important decisions. Arthur Jackson almost single handedly took out an enemy shelter and other strategic location essential to the enemy. Granted he did have help, though it was not much. Unlike Arthur, Nicholas Oresko went by himself to complete a mission when no other would step up or follow him for the greater good. He was a true leader and hero. He is my hero. Typically Hollywood takes the story line and plot from a real life event that is memorable and worthy enough to be recognized and be made into a best selling and award winning movie. So, in conclusion I do now think that almost every war movie and hero portrayed is in fact wrong. I think now I will appreciate every person who is or has been in the armed services or has died in war even more everyday.
Sara Kroshus
Hollywood –as they normally do- tends to blow things out of proportion, that isn’t saying there aren’t hero’s out there which do heroic big things depicted in the movies. However, quiet deeds often go un-noticed.
As a whole, I always enjoyed seeing the war hero’s and listening to their daring tales. It’s a piece of history that should be preserved and kept as is; not blown up like what Hollywood does. It’s the idea of finding the courage in the tales of those who stood against the odds, in the truth. I look up to those stories, and the people who tell them. I thought the story of Nicholas Oresko was truly inspiring; how through all he went through he succeeded, and went above and beyond his call of duty. Taking down the entire group whilst loosing blood; it’s a story I would have never expected to hear. There’s something about it that makes me smile (it makes me want to restore my faith in humanity).
I do believe there was a time when being a solider was something to be proud of, something that people looked up to you, and it still is, but now a days you just hear about all the bad things stupid people in the forces do; instead of back when they talked about the good times. For all I know things could have been the same back then I wasn’t born then so I wouldn’t know. I do know today you don’t hear the stories like back in the day, like the tales of Nicholas Oresko and Arthur Jackson. I grew up eager to hear stories like theirs, so I guess my true view of a hero never faltered to a ‘Hollywood stereotype’.
I tend to wonder why it is that the stories seem to disappear, it seems as though the heroicness get blocked out by the negativity of the world we live in. Where as instead of focusing on the man who just gave his life to save his entire squadron, they focus on the Marine who decided to go assault a minor, I don’t know to me it’s just backwards.
Samantha Whitt
Before I joined ROTC about a year ago now, I looked at the stereotypical military personnel to be true. I thought they were only what the movies made them out to be. I even looked at my own father a veteran as what movie stars had done. Being in ROTC changed my view and showed me that what our soldiers feel is more than missing home, more than love for a man or woman. Its the love of protecting our country, their families, and their units. I used to think that all was well. That the lack of training, discipline, and that one man could defeat one army. There is no one man army in the military, its a team job, that requires training, discipline, and trust. You can't go all out and cause havoc, explosions and deserting your men/women. Hollywood makes this image of our soldiers that thousands believe is true, so the look upon our military is distorted. Between the knowing of what actually happens, what the Hollywood image is, and the group that knows the true yet mixes it with the stereotypical views movies create. I talked to my cousin and asked her what she thought what happened in the military and in war. She responded with " Well I don't know really, you have told me so much about what you know, and I have seen the movies. Whats real and what ain't. I know its bloody, and stupid.". It proves that the Hollywood image has caused today's youth to believe that all the military does is bloody battles that are worthless. Our soldiers are today's super hero's, I would rather have a human soldier than a man in a red and blue suit with webs across it. My super hero's wear camo, wear ranks, and keep me free. My father is my Hero.
Cadet Odalis Rincon
I believe anyone who scarifies for others whether their lives or their time to help another person in need is a hero. Society is always giving credit where it’s not needed. It’s very disappointing knowing a talented person makes more money than someone who risks their lives to protect ours. Watching Master Sergeant Nicholas Oresko and Private First Class Arthur J. Jackson’s heroic efforts to take initiative for their platoons and sacrifice their lives to save everyone else’s are the ones to thank. Although they were courage’s I believe any member of the service is a hero in their own way; they all give back to their country variously. Us as Americans should be grateful to have leaders who volunteer for our rights. It’s sad knowing that media makes such big rave over celebrity deaths yet many have lost their lives in combat but no credit is given. Have you ever watched a military movie that portrays soldiers as close to real life as possible, NO. Hollywood never focuses on the real truth the tragic reality of war. They always focus on killing the enemy versus them focusing on the courageous sacrifices these soldiers are put through like Oresko and Jackson’s stories. We should all follow in their footsteps society needs to learn to do things not just for themselves but for others. My perspective of a true hero changed a little watching these videos it just opened my eyes more; they truly were a great inspiration and role models which to be honest I’m not sure I would’ve been that brave enough to do. They proved what a real hero is.
Rodney Harmon
September 5, 2013
J.R.O.T.C/3rd period
My view on military heroes have not changed, and I don’t feel it will because my meaning of a
Hero is anyone who is willing to put their selves in danger or on the line for the sake of others and not looking for anything in return, and just doing it for justice or just cause it’s the right thing, and because every man and woman of the arm services do this I for one will always respect them, and they will always fit my description of what a hero means, and stand for. So saying that if you put others before your own safety you are a hero in my eyes like the teacher in that shooting at that school she told the shooter that her students was in the gym knowing that she had them hidden in the cabinets in the classroom but to protect them she was shot and killed but she is known as heroic to me because she did not think of her own safety she was more concerned for the students in her class. That being said my views of a hero has not changed because both those men fits the description of what a hero is and stand for protecting others even when you yourself is in danger as well, and willing to do what ever it takes including loose your own life to protect others from what harm and danger that is being faced at that point of time.
Cadet Devin Stevens.
After watching these two videos on heroes from World War 2 with completely different personalities and situations, my view on military heroes has changed quite a bit. Before the activities we did in class with the whole debating over who was better, I realized that it hadn’t mattered who did what and under what circumstances. Both were extremely brave men who fought hard for the United States when we needed those most to protect the great red white and blue from enemies who sought to do us and others harm. Both heroes presented to us in the classroom for the debate were under entirely different situations. One grew up small, scrawny and unpopular throughout his childhood. The other grew up large, athletic and popular throughout his childhood. What both men had in common were their hearts and courage to serve under the United States military in one of the bloodiest wars of our countries history, and one of the world’s largest scaled conflicts to date. I grew up watching war movies along with millions of other boys and girls who were awed by the raw destruction and excitement associated with those types of movies. Pretty much 99% of the time the “hero” was the one who had killed the most guys or destroyed the most buildings and vehicles. Little did I know they were not the only heroes of the day. There were the medics and the communications guys and the pilots, all putting their lives at risk so to save others back here in the states. From little too small, it all counts. Whether it is a single machine gun nest or an island full of bunkers, it takes guts, courage, and a bit of crazy. Yes the Hollywood stereotype of what a true “war hero” holds true too an extent, occasionally, but not all the time, as demonstrated by Master Sergeant Nicholas Oresko. Anyone who earns the Medal of Honor, no matter what their background or job, or color of skin or religion, truly earned it, fighting for this country and its people, and are in more deservance of it then anyone.
My perspective on military heroes has not changed. I understand how hard and how much sacrifice you need to make to achieve an award like the Medal of Honor. I know in the movies everything looks cool and easy. But I learned that it is so much different it is when you’re at war. I don’t think anyone can fully understand it until you have actually been there and done that. I think both those men did brave acts of valor. I don’t think there was any point in debating who deserved it more or who did more because they both had to earn it. Jackson and Oresko both were brave men. What Jackson did in the pacific was very brave and definitely deserved the Medal of Honor he took out a lot of Japanese soldiers by himself. It doesn’t matter if he had help or not I think it’s what he did that helped him earn that reward. And Oresko was also brave he thought he was going to die so he basically decided to take the enemy with him. But I don’t think they won the Medal of Honor because of how many men they killed or how brave they were. I think it’s just because of what they did. One my favorite war heroes for example “Robert Leckie” who was also an author was very brave and killed many men in the pacific, but he didn’t get the Medal of Honor although I think he should have.
My perspective on military heroes has not changed. I understand how hard and how much sacrifice you need to make to achieve an award like the Medal of Honor. I know in the movies everything looks cool and easy. But I learned that it is so much different it is when you’re at war. I don’t think anyone can fully understand it until you have actually been there and done that. I think both those men did brave acts of valor. I don’t think there was any point in debating who deserved it more or who did more because they both had to earn it. Jackson and Oresko both were brave men. What Jackson did in the pacific was very brave and definitely deserved the Medal of Honor he took out a lot of Japanese soldiers by himself. It doesn’t matter if he had help or not I think it’s what he did that helped him earn that reward. And Oresko was also brave he thought he was going to die so he basically decided to take the enemy with him. But I don’t think they achieved the Medal of Honor because of how many men they killed or how brave they were. I think it’s just because of what they did. One my favorite war heroes for example “Robert Leckie” who was also an author was very brave and killed many men in the pacific, but he didn’t get the Medal of Honor although I think he should have.
My view on military hero has changed since watching the video.Two men serving the country with a will that is unbelievably hard to obtain. To me it didn't matter who did more between the both of them.The point is they both did something very heroic to protect the country.most people would not going to run through crossfire from enemies and Friends or run towards the enemy with no help or support from your own American soldiers.You say that someone in your life is a hero.But if you ask yourself what a true hero is and what it means you can look at the both of the soldiers and say that they were true heroes.To me it would be hard to find someone with the guts to go out by yourself and take on an army of men armed with guns and bombs with a little protection or none. If you think about it most people today would back down from a challenge like that.And even back then most people didn't have the heart the guts and the bravery those two soldiers had.So in my opinion of these guys do deserve the Medal Of Honor.Cause both men never question the fact that they had to do something by themselves. Insted both men continue to fight for the United States. And to me that takes a lot of loyalty to your country to serve and do the things that the two soldiers have accomplished. I do I think that with in the future there will be more men and women to do and accomplish some of the things that these two men have done in their past.These two men was involved with an important piece of history and they shaped it to were there names would be the said about important history.That is to me a proformance deserving the Medal of Honor.
Jonte McMullen
I feel that the typical Hollywood stereotype of a hero is no longer valid in my eyes because of my experiences in the past couple of years. In Hollywood I feel that heroes are made out to always win in the situation that they are given, known fact in Hollywood the hero always come home to make a happy ending. Seeming that the hero in Hollywood always has the correct weapons at all times for what is needed. In any situation that they deal with, it seems they always have perfect execution of plan A, B, and or C. It constantly seems like the perfect fantasy world.
In my reality, my heroes are real and living. These are people I have met through the years that have lost friends, loved ones, limbs, and lives. Realizing what my dad and the many other people I have known that have done for this country and hearing their stories. Hearing what they do to insure our freedom and fighting real world situations. How they have to learn to overcome and adapt in different lifestyles and countries, not always having the equipment available. Also having to deal with constant separations from loved ones being deployed or on training exercises. For the ones that don’t make it home from war, the real life grief that family members go through would be too much for the families to bear. And for the ones that come home with injuries turning to give back to others in the community and from east to west coast. These are all heroes that I look up to and want to be like in everything I do with my life to honor my heroes.
Samantha Mumford
1st period
Well from what I understand is that there were these two military soldiers that became heroes!!!! Because they dedicated their lives to fight for our country. Not only that but they won metals of honor. There was this man name Nicholas Oresko. He was a master sergeant but he was a leader. He led the squadron to Germany in 1945. But the squadron was scared to go so he went by himself. After that he walked fifty feet away from the squadron. Once he got to his area, the Germans fire and it hit him in his left hip. But he managed to crawl to a safe place and praying that he would still be alive. Then after he gets there he pulls out his gun and starts to fire, killing thirty-four people by himself. But on the other hand the other hero is name Arthur J. Jackson. A navy recruiter suggested that he should be In the Marine Core. In the year of 1943 he signed up for it. But later he joined the 17th Replacement Battalion and was sent to Australia. In Melbourne he was assigned to the Seventh Marines and served in the machine-gun section of a weapons platoon. On September 17, 1944, with temperatures rises to 110 degrees. They where study moving across the island for three days. But the next day they were held up by a sniper and a machine gun fired.
Cadet Uter
The way i look at the military and the air force i look at it like its a type of heroism. It is the most honorable job in the world in my point of view people just look as the military and airforce as a very strict type of job. I used to think exactly like that oh that they only yell at you and tell you what to do. Its not just about yelling at each other we work together like a unit a team one person. People don't realize that people from our homes are going to another country and risking there lifes many of our own died in many wars we have been in. Nicholas Oresko he is a man of honor he has been in wars came from them survived he has also gotten a medal of honor medal. Love of our country what is it its called patroism many people dont have it but i do. Teens think of most heros such of celeberties. I was one of those types of people when i was 11 i used to think micheal jordan was the greatest man on the earth but it is not true we got men saving our lifes. This country is the best country. I say that because i have patroism its what keeps this country together its the glue that bonds us. My father used to be in the military when he was younger but he left to raise me i thank my father for hes sacrfice to put hes life down for his country. What if you saw what was happening over the seas you would thank each and every one of the air force member and also the military. Thank you for your sacrfice to many of you.
Cadet Uter
C/SrA Baines, Kentrell
Perception is the key to many battles. Both Mr. Oresko and Mr. Jackson accomplished great feats that no ordinary man could have done. Neither man is more special than the other nor are they equally attributed. The way that they both served their country will live on in record books as great accomplishments. Mr. Oresko fought an injury and imminent death to complete his mission, without the suport of his men, or any assistance. Thankfully he succeeded and survived. While within the other story, Mr. Jackson was supported by his fellow soldiers, his mission was just as difficult. He struggled through the heat, ran across beaches, and he too wanted to give up. As he fight on his mission was at last complete. Doing something grand isn't what makes you a hero. The reasons why you do it and how you do it are the true measure of character in my eyes. The media has not and will not change my view of military heroes, because they are just that, heroes. Heroism isn't something that is easy to obtain. You have to strive to be a better person, stand up for what you believe in, and stay determined to do the right thing. I admire the story of both of these men. They depict the stories of two different people who against all odds overcame there senses to get the job done. So as I said before, these men will forever be remembered for there great feats because of the reasons behind them succeeding.
A-Prater
My personal opinion of military heroes and other serotypes hasn’t changed! I believe a hero is a hero once they do something great in my eyes. Rather if there a marine or police office or some random guy off the street of even just me! Looking at these two hero’s we read about today Nicholas Oresko and Arthur J. Jackson really showed what hard work and deduction they did to earn the medal of honor but also be called a hero. If you look at today marines and hollowed stereotypes, you can tell who the better hero is and which shows honor to our country a marine! I see as if they show more honor to America by fighting for our freedom and protecting our land by keeping us safe. Everyday a marine is dying and fighting for us but you don’t really see that in the movies, all you see is a bunch of fighting and someone or maybe even two people dying. When actually we don’t really know what’s going on in Iraq or Afghanistan they just show of stuff on the movies that people want to see. I’m not saying there is something wrong with hollowed stereotypes and showing a little of pride in and standing up for marines in a movie but it is obvious you know who the bigger hero is I do respect a marine hero a bit more. But I do feel as you can do something great and big but still be a hero rather if it’s something big or maybe even something small anybody can be a hero!
Dominae Smith
9-9-13
Through learning about both of these great of these great military heroes, I can now clearly see the difference between the real military and the Hollywood stereotypes that are shown movies and television shows. People show movies like Rambo and Captain America and mix it in into the military status. Even though some of these movies do show some true things that do with the military there are some that are completely fictional like Captain America. However there are some true ones like the movie Retails. True movies about the military remind me of some great military heroes. Take Nicholas Oresko and Arthur J. Jackson. These were true military hero’s. They were able to change the outcome of the war they fought in and live to tell about it. However they both did it differently though. Nicholas was able to stop machine guns from killing him and his men. Arthur was able to kill a army of enemy soldiers in a bunker. These are things I could possibly never think of doing. That is why I think these are true military men. They also were able to win the metal of honor as well. That’s a great military accomplishment. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to do this. What true military heroes do is nothing like I see on television.
C. B.Prater 6:17 am
Honestly I think the world views military so different now and days when it comes to movie stars and how they represent. They can’t even salute right, at least show me something worth watching not anything less. The people who serve this country probably have their own opinions about because it’s so stereotypical. The two guys we learned about to were very important, both had earned the Congressional Medal of Honor they both did amazing duties and wonderful things. It’s not the fact that one had help and the other didn’t because anonymous would vote that Nicholas Oresko was a better man because he no help with what he doing and was just and outcast but they both fought, got hurt, did something worth fighting for .The lesson was to learn about how we would think which man served better purpose. Any person willing to step out on a battle fields to protect America is one hell of human. You can’t even choose sides because they equal duties were equal out to. All guys who in the air force, navy, marines and coast guard should appreciate that a lot of people look up to them and hopefully they have that drive to become greater than most or even with the help of few. Splitting the class apart was to if any of us would realize the main picture but ending defending other person for their stuff and why which is better for their own accomplishments. I liked the activity but hopefully movies don’t become to overrated with stereotypical actors.
C/ Council
Watching those videos made me realized that people in the military risk their life's to protect their country. You don't have to be popular to have courage to stand up and accomplish the job. You don't have to depend on others to get something done. You don't have to have high expectations to get something done; as long as you have your mind set on your goal. You don't have to worry about what other people say stand up and be a leader instead of being a follower. And also as I watched those videos it gave me a different look at Marines; because I use to thing they were stuck up just because they feel like they higher then everyone else in the world but I was wrong because there are some people in the Military, Air force etc... As I watched the two talk about their lives and their different experiences in life and they defeated the enemies it made me realized that their are different characteristics out in the world. Nicholas was an outgoing and independent person because he got through the battle without his team; even through he got shot he still managed to reach his goal. He had his mind on one thing and it was to sneak up on the enemies. He was determined to finish the war. And Aurthur was an popular dependent man he had a little help from this team but he managed to get most of the job done; he's outgoing because he was the one to risk his life and stand up.
B. Malonson
Period: 3
September 9, 2013
After watching the two videos I can say my view changed a little. I say this because, I sometimes thought Marines didn’t do anything but go to war then go sit on their butts. But i’m wrong, because i saw that they didn’t have time to sit on their butts because they always have to WATCH their butts. Also while their watching out for themselves their still doing work. The way hollywood pictures it, is that they are all organized and civil men but in reality some people won’t take the risk they committed to risk them selves when they first joined. Sometimes Hollywood makes it seem like everyones there for each other but in reality (like in the first video) they left him to go to the war by himself, but theres always two sides so sometimes Hollywood is right because the second guys team mates helped him when he needed help fighting the other guys. The Military isn’t what people make it unless you’re in the military actually fighting so honestly the stereotypes don’t have an affect on me because one its in a movie and most things in movies are not true, because there not their physically there just do a “reenactment” of the war. If i saw the video or not i would always think military is better then hollywood. Hollywood may be cool but real is always better because its really happening like there really risking their life and being a real hero but the movie is fake. Thats my opinion on this whole thing.
Honestly, I don’t really think it matters. I think that it’s all showing the same thing. They are all making the same projection. I do believe that the only thing that matters is that the job got done. In every war that we have been in, in movies and reality the job has gotten done. I do think that in some movies they over exaggerate the heroes an what they have done which makes it seem not so amazing. I do believe no one and I do mean no one is better than anyone else. NO matter what they did or how big of a hero they perceive to be. You can’t decide on who is better by what they did or how big of a hero they perceive to be. And that is something both Hollywood and the living humans need to see. I don’t really know what to say about this topic. In mean I guess you can really say my opinion hasn’t changed. I guess it’s different when what they are trying to perceive is lie. Especially if someone is lying an saying that they did something heroic and they didn’t. But when Hollywood tries to portray A hero like a biography on the person. They end to over due it. But at the end of the day I still don’t think that any of this matters. No matter what that person did. Or died trying to do. They were fighting an defending our country. A country that we live breathe and sleep in. What if that person didn’t do what they did? Think about it! Think of all the possible predicaments we could be in. Without them our country may have not or would have been today our country. So let’s just say that they are all heroes.
~Asjiah West
Cadet Hailey
Honestly, my view on military heroes changed a lot. I've always seen them in a positive light because of who they are and how they portray themselves. Anyone in my eyes can be a hero, it just takes loyalty and consistency in what that person does in and for the world. And even though i think they were both heroes in their own way, Mr. Oreskos' story stood out more to me, especially when it came to changing my view even more on military heroes. I just feel like Mr. Oreskos' story made me think a lot more on life, it even taught me a little bit more about people in the world today. Even your own friends could turn on you. And then now we got more and more men who are more afraid of dieing than actually saving the lives of others. Honestly that scares me, but I’ve learned how much more effort it takes for men and women that stand up on their own to take on a life-risking challenge the way he did. His generosity, his loyalty and receiving the Medal of Honor, that to me was one of the greatest achievements i had ever learned about. That was something that inspired me and i think as well as others. It takes ALOT of courage and bravery to go out there in battle alone, all by yourself, and with no help at all from anyone not even his so-called "friends", just nothing. On top of that injured as well. However, at the end of the day i respect both men for their commitment to people and how they both were brave, they both got the job done and they were both willing to risk their lives to save ours.
Nicholas Dillahunt
Nicholas Oresko and J. Jackson are heroes. A hero is a powerful name. I think now a hero can be anybody. Such small things you do you can be called a hero. You can save a cat from a tree and be called a hero. I’m not saying that small good things that you do, your not a hero. I’m saying that people can just be called a hero and barley does anything to be called a hero. Some heroes don’t even know what it takes to be a hero. A hero has to work hard and be good at what there doing. A hero has to have to be years experience, know what there doing and know what there saying. You have to be brave and stand up for your self, do what’s correct and know from write or wrong. If you do those thing and you are those things then you’re a hero. Let’s take Martin Luther King for an example. He knew that everybody was the same and saw that people weren’t getting treated correctly. So he took a stand, made the most popular speeches and treated everyone with kindness. He fought for what was correct, that’s what I call a hero.
Agree
Reginald Mathis
I agree with President Barack Obama because the simple rules of the world were violated by these people. If you think about how chemical warfare have affected the world and how it affected everyone in the area on August 21, 2013 it had to be a horrible experience. It just does not take out the target that they are setting after, it takes everyone lives away. It takes away the women life that do not participate in the actual combat and the children who do not really know what is going on. Think about how the children felt when they inhaled the gases and how they were slowing dying. Without the world taking action other people will start to get the idea that they would be able to use it with the people they do not like. It would be easy as turning the channel on the TV to watch the football game coming on. With Barack Obama going to congress he is taking the smart path because I believe that with communications we the people can come to an agreement. With the U.S being the big country we have to send a message to Syria that what they have done is wrong and send a message to any other groups about what would happen if they take the same path.
Anonymous said…..
My views of military heroes are Master Sergeant Nicholas Oresko and Private First Class Author J. Jackson. I really think that these two soldiers were heroes in World War 1, because they both were in death situations. Master Sergeant Nicholas Oresko had given his platoon an order to kill the two machines guns on the top of the hill, but they didn’t follow his command, because they were scared that they might get ambush and died. He had to hide on top of the hill and take out the two machine’s guns while his men were 50 feet away from him. He was wounded on his right hip struggling to get back in the war. Once he got on the hill, he realized that the enemy machine guns were right over him. He had to crawl on the ground for 10 or 15 minutes until he found a grenade. He went back on top of the hill and threw the grenade at the enemy machine guns and the destroyed them. After he destroyed the Machine Guns, he realized that the war had ended.
Private First Class Author J. Jackson was another brave person to contribute to ending a war. When he arrived at the war he saw some of his men dead. When he took cover his platoon leader had told him to take out that bunker that was 100 feet yards away from them. Private First class Author Jackson took of his pack ran to the bunker. He placed a pack of bombs in the bunker and took off running to take cover. The bomb blew everything in the bunker killing more than 50 people. In my eyes, these two men were real heroes, because off the courage they showed in war.
Desmond McCrea
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