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Herein shall be a repository and roster of all the people, organisations and creations that the various denziens of Dakka have utmost respect for. I felt it would be interesting to see the lesser known names coming up, either forgotten heroes of history, or people of bravery who live locally to you....

I shall start off.

The various men and women of the worlds armed forces. Yes, both those belonging to the good guys and the bad guys (but not terrorists. I'll let you decide who is who). Why? The obvious. They put their life on the line for what the believe to be right, and have to trust that the orders they are given are just. I guess I'm too cowardly and cynical to make it in the army. I would of course defend my country should it be invaded, but my natural cynicism and wish to avoid being shot means I'm really not cut out for army life.

Also, the Fire Service. Most of these guys (if not all) in the UK are part timers. Having been involved in a house fire, I can tell you it takes balls to go into a burning building and battle those flames. So much heat and smoke you wouldn't believe.

Police as well, and indeed, all the emergency services.

And for a personal one, my Grandad. Born into the Workhouse (bastard child in the 1920's....not a great start really) and is to me, the epitome of success and a self made man. Own business which is still going, family, own home, couple of other bits of property. An inspiration.

The members of the French Resistance. Civilians who risked life and limb to aid the Allies as best they could against the Axis powers (also any Resistance fighters from that time).

SO there's some general ones to start with. I'll be back for more once I've remembered the surnames of our local heroes so I can google them and post up links!

I would put in Boy Scouts. They really do a lot of service to the community and help boys learn about more than their own little world.

Ah yes, also Medicin Sans Frontiers, and The Red Cross. If you don't know about these guys, read here and here

Especially the former, who are known to go into areas of the world even the UN Security Forces won't. Generally speaking, you know something has gone well and truly tits up when MSF pull out as well.

My parents. Not enough room to say why.

Andrew Jackson. Not the most beloved President, but helped me to see that History is not about times and events, but about people (both good, bad, and the in-between).

Teachers. A majority of them make it throughout the school year without killing the children they are in charge of. I would last about a week.

I'll second the Parents for myself as well.

My parents, my grandfathers, my uncle who fought in the East Indies and some friends serving right now, they don't all deserve respect.

Catholic Charities, the religious orders (especially those who run schools and hospitals), and organizations of lay faithful like the Knights for funneling more money, services, and other resources to the poor and marginalized than any other international organization or even government.

Some good stuff there Mad Dok. I'm going to focus on individuals.

Sgt Patton (no relation to the General) - the first NCO to ever show me that you can be a professional, competent and efficient NCO without being a douchebag. Good soldier, better man.

Audie Murphy - Nothing stood in his way for long, nothing.

Sir Richard Francis Burton - One of the great renaissance men and adventurers of our world, ever. Sometimes strongly criticized for some of his perceived views but his work speaks for itself.

Colonel Morrow - He forced me to accept a Truth I was not ready to see.

My friends Karl and Gavan - People this brutally honest and open are hard to find, I don't ever want to lose them.

nurses. Tough job.

My father , the person i respect beyond the rest , not because he is my father , but for what he did.

He single handly raised family of 6 brothers , 2 sisters , his parent alone since he was grade 5. He never finished elementary school because he had to support the family.

Its a shame i never asked him what his child hood dream was , he basically went to apprentice as a house builder because was told " its the easiest way to make money without any pre requisite " .

With his hard work all his life devoting to everyone in the family but himself , he succeeded been the best person anyone can be with his accomplishments.

Its very sad , and im deeply sorry that i do not live with him , and cant find a chance to tell him how proud of him i really am.

I respect most all of you here on Dakka,TBH you have become(whether you like it or not)the group of friends ole' Deff never had.

Also all those brave men who have died on the battlefields of history.

Plus most medical doctors/nurses.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also forgot to mention good old dad(sorry dad),he works long hard hours and well he has taught me alot of stuff.

While we're naming individuals:

Oscar Romero



For those that don't know about this man, you should read up on him.

Great man, saw the movie about him too.

I would like to give respect to the comedians of the world who make us realise that this world is crap, but funny crap at that.

LunaHound wrote:
My father , the person i respect beyond the rest , not because he is my father , but for what he did.

He single handly raised family of 6 brothers , 2 sisters , his parent alone since he was grade 5. He never finished elementary school because he had to support the family.

Its a shame i never asked him what his child hood dream was , he basically went to apprentice as a house builder because was told " its the easiest way to make money without any pre requisite " .

With his hard work all his life devoting to everyone in the family but himself , he succeeded been the best person anyone can be with his accomplishments.

Its very sad , and im deeply sorry that i do not live with him , and cant find a chance to tell him how proud of him i really am.

Luna my sweet, where there's a will there's a way. And I am willing to bet that a phonecall from his Daughter would break his heart in the best possible way! Dunno the reasons as to why finding the chance is difficult, but don't let anyone, even family prevent you from talking to your folks.

Anyone that lives by the motto or creed,

To protect and serve.

So that others may live.

Not all officially will bear that upon thier patches, uniform or standards- but many embody that all the same.


The guy that stops to help when your car is on the side of the road.

The grumpy old farts that we forget have lived history- and have done things that some will never equal.

The people that are nice to stray animals and try to help them get home.

The donut guy.

He gets up so early to make me coffee and sweet sweet deep fried bread.

I have an almost gay affection for this angel from above, thank you donut man.

For those parents out there , are you? and have you been your best for your children? So that one day you'll be mentioned by them in a thread such as this?

Do it people , make people proud , and especially ones that matters the most ...

Your children

I have lots of respect for people who have been married 50+ years. There is this one couple at our church who is celebrating their 76th Anniversary and we recently heard of another couple who has been married for 80+ years. I am utterly amazed at that.

My parents.

Thomas Jefferson.

My high school Economics teacher. Every math teacher (no one likes the subject but the teacher!).

LunaHound wrote:


Its very sad , and im deeply sorry that i do not live with him , and cant find a chance to tell him how proud of him i really am.

If he's still alive then do it, do it now. Find a phone, borrow one from a friend. A one minute sall saying 1. everything's fine (so he don't freak worrying something's happening); 2. always wanted to say it; 3. then say it.

Everyone. Life is hard, and often for reasons that are difficult to understand. Yet we aren't beset by waves of mass suicide, pretty impressive.

Well said, dogma.

Japan disagrees.

Most of my respect is due to people that are long since passed, and justly entitled to a respect greater than I can provide... mainly due to the fact that they are dead and all.

Comedians have a lot of respect from me, mainly people like George Carlin who just got up and started ranting one day, and never really stopped. True heroism in an age where even the greatest feats are little more than 15 minutes of fame in the media.

I also have respect for myself, and for those that influenced me in various ways so I could be the person I am today (yep some of dem' Dakkites have made me think too ).

Furthermore I have respect for the people that I will meet in the future, and the relationships that can serve to change the world for the better. Everyone who stands up and says something that I disagree with deserves some amount of respect, for I learn more from others mistakes than I could ever hope to in my entire lifetime of personal experience.

Mainly I respect the people that just make it home to take care of their family, and take the time to make those experiences mean something special to everyone who is involved. I also respect some Churches for their community activity, without which many people would be without any care at all, and on the same note (and more importantly) the people who choose to change their lives for the better, while spreading what they have learned with sympathy and companionship.

Respect respect, because without one there simply isn't another.

Bill Hicks.

That man has said some very touchy things with such a straight face, but he was honest and direct. And funny while he was at it.

My mother's partner Stephen, without him, my family would still be living in a run-down house with no income and only government welfare to feed ourselves. Without his love, my mother wouldn't have found it in her to re-train as a nurse. Thanks to him, we have a happy middle-class existence.

My teachers who've put up with my stubbornness and rather candid anger-inspired opinions on them.

My friend with Asperger's Syndrome who's really tried his best to overcome his profound lack of social skills and tolerance.

The dakka props: Truncated Edition

Dogma - He knows why, or doesn't.
Frazzled - for having to deal with the children (us)
Malfred - Because he's Malfred
Kid Kyoto - for not getting us into conflict with that one place. You know, that one place.
Polonius - for being so dang reasonable
MDG - for being as liberal as he wants to be

Non Board Mentions

Daisetz Suzuki
Alan Watts
Vine Deloria Jr
Karl Popper
Chris Kraatz
Walter Robinson
Russel Means

People I Don't Respect:

Ahtman - he knows why

I respect people, not badges or jobs. A douchebag immoral psycopathic tool can get into the marines just as easily as a selfless patriotic hero. Thats not to say I don't respect people willing to join those services, I just don't take the uniform at face value. Clothing and a job don't make you who you are.

Ahtman wrote:People I Don't Respect:

Ahtman - he knows why

Did the voices in your head whisper you that one?

Fair point Shuma (thats like, the 4th time in as many days I've typed that!) the Uniform indeed does not make the man.

Something which sickened me the other day was reading about some cock who had bought Medals on Ebay, and posed as a Military Veteran. Such a morally disgusting thing to do.