Jonathan Smith deserves official recognition

[pauldun170]

Thinking this might be appropriate.
Opinions?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_Citizens_Medal

Las Vegas (CNN)One of the heroes of Sunday's massacre in Las Vegas was reunited on CNN with the off-duty officer who saved his life after he took at least two bullets while rescuing the injured and dying from the scene.

In an often emotional interview, concertgoer Jonathan Smith recounted the aftermath of the horrific attack in which 58 people lost their lives in the mass shooting.
It was his heroism that prevented the death toll from rising even further -- Smith is credited with saving at least 30 people from the scene, although he downplays his actions.


"Everyone's been using that word -- 'hero.' I've been saying it since the whole time I got home -- I'm not a hero, I'm far from a hero. I think I just did what anybody would do," he said.
"Was it smart? Probably not. But if someone else (was) in the shoes, and they see me, I would want them to come back and at least help me."
In the process of saving those lives, Smith took at least two bullets, one in the arm and another in his neck. That one is still in there, doctors reluctant to remove it in case they cause any further damage. The injuries mean Smith is in "constant pain," he told CNN's Erin Burnett.
He was dragged to safety by off-duty police officer Tom McGrath, who had to put his own fingers in Smith's bullet wound to stanch the bleeding.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/05/us/las-vegas-shooting-jonathan-smith-tom-mcgrath-hero-intv/index.html

 

[repoman0]

That there is a true badass. Far cry from this wannabe pretend tough guy I read about the other day:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...when-he-was-caught-in-the-las-vegas-shooting/

 

[TheVrolok]

Saw him in CNN. Agreed. Medal.

 

[kage69]

I don't use the term hero lightly, in fact most often I'm irritated at it being used towards sports players or celebrities. This man helping strangers and taking lead in the process definitely qualifies in my book. Heroes save lives. Often heroes sacrifice to do so.

I also love that it must bother a lot of SQWs that a black guy is being hailed a hero for saving fans of country western music.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Definitely fits the description of "hero"

 

[kage69]

That there is a true badass. Far cry from this wannabe pretend tough guy I read about the other day:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...when-he-was-caught-in-the-las-vegas-shooting/

Bilzerian the gun nut, who lives in an open carry state that issues CCW permits - had to go home to get a gun huh? Ok.


...we looked in here, we looked out there... can't find BILZERIAN....

 

[woolfe9998]

The guy's a legit hero, so I'll set aside the minor annoyance of him saying the exact same thing that literally everyone in the history of mankind has ever said when called a hero.

Everyone's been using that word -- 'hero.' I've been saying it since the whole time I got home -- I'm not a hero, I'm far from a hero. I think I just did what anybody would do," he said.

The simple truth is, no, not everyone will risk his or her life for others, especially people they don't know. Most people just run when they hear gunfire. It's called the instinct for self-preservation.

 

[kage69]

The guy's a legit hero, so I'll set aside the minor annoyance of him saying the exact same thing that literally everyone in the history of mankind has ever said when called a hero.

I found this bit quite relaxing, thank you for that. I got squawked at for saying something similar not too long ago.

 

[Commodus]

The guy's a legit hero, so I'll set aside the minor annoyance of him saying the exact same thing that literally everyone in the history of mankind has ever said when called a hero.

The simple truth is, no, not everyone will risk his or her life for others, especially people they don't know. Most people just run when they hear gunfire. It's called the instinct for self-preservation.

In a sense, though, it's that statement which explains why they're heroic... they weren't thinking much about themselves, just doing what they thought was right.

 

[woolfe9998]

In a sense, though, it's that statement which explains why they're heroic... they weren't thinking much about themselves, just doing what they thought was right.

Yeah, I think it's a bit of false modesty. Which can be excused here since he was, in fact, an actual hero, because he acted against his flight instinct and took a huge risk. It's also excusable because it seems this what everyone is expected to say when called a hero. It would actually be weird if someone didn't say exactly that. The only person I can think who wouldn't say it would be Donald Trump. If people called him a hero, I doubt he'd do anything to discourage it. I don't think Trump is even capable of false modesty, let alone the real kind.