War isn’t the only Atrocity
ver 30 years ago, when I returned from another land when my tour of duty was over, I was met at the airport by an ironic contradiction in attitudes; Moonies preaching peace on one side of the exit, and long-haired hippies on the other side throwing garbage at us and spitting words like "baby killers". Neither had a clue of course, but both stung nonetheless.
Our war started out pretty much like the one in Iraq. Everyone was gung-ho for the first couple of years. The public was behind the ‘Police Action' 100%. After all, there were people in this world who needed us to defend them because they were being bullied, tortured, and murdered. Their country was being overrun and they needed our help–but then the Americans and some of our allies started getting killed and the numbers kept climbing. Public opinion changed pretty quickly after that.
hose of us who defended ourselves, our country, our way of life, and our countries policies, were now asked to be ashamed of what we had done. Although few ever actually committed any dishonorable acts, for some reason the folks at home suddenly treated us like we had. The folks who had sent us there in the first place I guess had forgotten why we were there. Somehow the soldiers were to blame. Well, at least there were the yellow ribbons for some of us when we got home.
Is any of this beginning to sound familiar? Like maybe we've been here before?
Let there be no mistake. War is not a fun place to be. Nobody in their right mind ever wants to be in a war. War is hungry, dirty, loud, painful, more bloody that you can possibly imagine, and watching your friends die around you is something no one could ever forget. The folks on the front line in a war don't get rich, mostly they just get hurt or worse. They can consider themselves lucky if they ever make it back to their nice snug little homes in America, and if they're extremely lucky they can even make it back home with all the body parts they left with. All the parts notwithstanding–they will never be the same again. This is the price they pay for serving their country, while all of us complain about the price of gas and bitch about taxes, safe in front of our TV sets with our bellies full of food.
I have only a few words for people who disrespect the sacrifices our soldiers make, many of whom will never again enjoy the very way of life they have upheld.
Burn in Hell.
Amen my brutha!
Amen my friend!
My exhusband, although never in combat, has been serving this country since he was 18 years old and is finally retiring at the age of 40 from serving his country and serving it proudly!
So many people underestimate what the military does for them but yet they choose to ridicule and mock the military for putting it’s troops in harms way. People, wake the fuck up! Those troops are there for YOU not because they want to be there. Sure they choose to be in the military, in most cases, but they are there fighting for the honor of the US, your rights, your freedom, you get the picture, right?
God Bless America AND our Troops that put their own lives on the line everyday (at minimal pay might I add) for everyone regardless of how good or bad you may be.
Baby killers? So be it if it means that my kids will grow up safe.
Murderers? So be it if it means that I can sleep each night knowing that someone out there cares enough to fight for our country!
We are lucky to have these men & women over there putting their lives on the line for us and we should thank them all everyday for enduring the pains that they endure everyday for YOU and ME!
P.S. Great post DB
Amen to that for sure.
I don’t believe anyone could have said it better. How many people have told you this: ” Thank you for making me cry”. You’re the best!!! Q
I don’t think anyone really knows until they’ve been there, but I think we do know better than to blame the people in the front lines for policies that they don’t make. Shame on anyone who misplaces that.
Thank you Bunnymuffin
It’s always too easy for people to criticize what they don’t and sometimes can’t understand Kristeen. Your husband has served proudly and my hat is off to him.
I know it must be the same on your side of the water Gopher, thank you.
Be proud of yourself too Quona. I know you have a loved one over there and it’s obvious you’ve raised him right
Unfortunately Ms. Jay, people don’t seem to know better than to blame our soldiers. Further, taking their anger or frustrations out on the families of our casualties who have certainly suffered enough, is cowardly and extremely cruel.
Hey there, wass up. I’m sorry I have been so delinquent in my posts and visiting all my friends. More info is listed at my site… Yep, I finally posted again. I really want to thank you for this post as you are so correct. I want to pass on this web site as this guy is a freelance reporter that is traveling with a group of troops in Iraq. If you want to know what is really going on over there you should read this guy’s web site. The address is http://www.michaelyon-online.com/ Later bro and come by and and check me out some time.