What is a Real Hero?

           I have noticed a trend today, which cheapens the meaning of this word.  In this post, I intend to set it straight.  Let us start with a dictionary.  In Webster's 1828 it says as follows:

 A man of distinguished valor, intrepidity or enterprise in danger. 

         Today, anyone who goes to war is hero.  To be a hero, you must do something above and beyond the call of duty, at great risk to your own safety, or at the cost of your life.  Newspapers, shows, magazines, they all call those heroes that went to, or are fighting in the Middle East.  I am sorry, but they do not qualify.  Just the act of fighting your country's enemies is not heroic, just the act of going to war is not courageous.  You joined the military freely, but once you are in it, you have no choice.  They tell you where to go, and you go.  You are not a hero for obeying orders are you?  Risking your life to save others, that is real heroism.  Let us have some examples of real heroes.  Take the pilot in Vietnam that landed behind enemy lines, under fire, to save a downed and wounded comrade.  Or, the soldier who overlaid a granade that landed in the middle of his unit.
          What about the many Christians that have pressed on into blood and fire in the face of death that they might save one lost person?  Tyndale, who gave his life to bring the scriptures in English to the common man, or Huss, Hudson Taylor, John Birch, Brother Andrew, Richard Wurmbrand, Adoniram Judson,all men who risked and gave their lives for saving others, leaving behind padded careers for the gospel.  Are not these real heroes?   Should not we hold these men up as our examples, that we look up to, rather than some singer, movie star, athlete, or fake movie character?