In article , "Casey" writes:

how the tales of "I was a one-of-a-kind" super hero

As I read Hans' and Jim's and others' stories of their USN, USCG and Merchant
Marine experiences, one thing that is clear to me is that they do *not* claim
to be "one-of-a-kind" at all. Rather, they are simply relating their
experiences as part of a community. That's why the statue of a single sailor in
Washington DC can express so much.