I learned a great lesson on this topic a couple of decades back (actually 3.5 decades!).
I'd just left the SAR job and all the publicity that goes with that. For some years I would occasionally meet younger pilots who would say "Of course I know you by reputation" and I would nod gratefully and sagely.
Many years later the same thing happened again. I replied "Hang on a minute, you can barely have been wearing diapers at the time I was doing all that stuff"
"That's true" the young aviator responded "but I've just qualified as a QHI in the RN"
I must have looked suitably blank, so he continued "... and you're used as an example on that course"
"I'm used as an example of what?" I hesitantly enquired.
"You're used as an example of why instructors should persevere with idiots because they might turn out to be adequate in the end"
(And, just for the record ... David Voy and Uncle Dennis - For simultaneously being consummate gentlemen and consummate aviators)