hero:
 http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=hero
A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life: soldiers and nurses who were heroes in an unpopular war.

sacrifice:
 http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=sacrifice
Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.

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Irish Army Officer Returns Medals in Iraq Protest
by Edward Horgan

''While I have held each of these items as treasured reminders of my service to the people of Ireland and to United Nations peacekeeping, I feel obliged in conscience to return them because of the dishonourable conduct of the Irish government in abandoning Irish neutrality, contrary to international law, by participating in the war against Iraq in March 2003, thereby actively assisting in the commission of crimes against humanity....''

More at (Indymedia Ireland)
 http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=61352