Supporting our Troops ?

Question

I have asked some Vietnam Vets how they feel about the U.S.A.'s patriotism today as compared to three plus decades ago. Do you think that we as a nation have learned to support our troops from the apathy and disreguard shown to the Korean and Vietnam Vets?
I am the wife and daughter and sister to Veteran's of American Wars, and love our men and women in the service.
I just wonder if we have learned from our mistakes?

Love war? No I don't love war. You obviously don't know what it is like to live waiting for a loved one to come home. To see a soldier live with P. T. S. D. To live with cancer from Agent Orange. To bury children that were so deformed they couldn't breathe on their own. Wives who watch husbands commit suicide. How dare you say anything like that to me? OH a soldier fought and died for your right of Freedom of speech.

Answer 1

There's a huge difference. During the Vietnam war, people who protested the war didn't distinguish between the war and the warriors. During the Middle East battles, we have made it very clear that we DO DISTINGUISH between the wars and the warriors. We know they are just trying to be patriotic, get work, go to school, or whatever attracted them to military service. We do not hate the soldiers and are very clear about that. I am pro military. I want them employed at triple pay with full housing and benefits. I've met many military men living in the same deplorable conditions I had to live in as a poor person and it outraged me to extreme mercy. I want them here defending our borders. Our airspace. Our marinas. Our seas. Did I leave anyone out? There's no reason to send them to foreign countries as human sacrifices to foreign wars. That is our protest. Our protest is for the soldiers. Hope that clears it up.

Answer 2

I don't think a lot of these people support our troops because they think that they want to be at war. I am a Army wife and totally support our troops and what they do. My heart goes out to all those who went through many years of sadness due to wars, and that will go through sadness. These people don't understand what it is like and never will because they're to scared to join our military or have their friends or family join. That's ok though, cause when something awful happens to one of their loved ones, I feel no sympathy. I would love to see our soldiers come home, but I also love my freedoms and will support whatever decisions are made to ensure that the next generations have the rights I do, which will include my two year old someday. The way I see it, the ones who don't, can move to a different country.

Answer 3

From my observation we are just as polarized as a nation now as during Viet Nam. I really believe much of whatever difference there is now in how much our troops are supported is due to Viet Nam veterans vowing that these men and women never experience the disrespect and apathy that they did. We have a great bunch in this generation and they perform remarkably well, but we still have those who wouldn't take up arms to defend this nation under any circumstances. It is my belief that a good number who oppose the war do so because they either don't have the courage or won't inconvenience themselves to fight. Do nothings always discourage doers, the cowardly always discourage the heroic.

P.S. The very type of do nothing I'm referring to will claim that wars have been useless and accomplish nothing, trivializing the sacrifice of others for freedom. So easy to do when your freedoms have been purchased by the blood and sweat of others.

Answer 4

I help the troops and feature a lot admire for what they do. I actively perform and help corporations that support out energetic responsibility guys and females and veterans. I particiapted in a "Welcome Back" occasion for troops returning house. I don't help the struggle, however I don't believe that's high-quality proven through leaving behind the troops. They're now not those making the selections. Agreeing with the struggle is not always aiding the troops. Wanting younger guys and females to come back house and abandon a struggle that wasn't valued at it, isn't in competition of the troops. That's knowing errors and aiding the troops through now not letting a further one die for "Iraqi freedom."

Answer 5

You know, I would love to be able to say that the majority of Americans have evolved since the travisty that our troops suffered in the 60's and 70's, but after reading some remarks on hear my heart is heavy. It is beyond me how uninformed, unconcerned individuals can sit back and enjoy the benefits of living in our "free" country with out respecting and acknowledging especially our veterans and supporting our troops now. It takes alot more than buying a yellow ribbon magnet and slapping it on your car to support what these individuals that have graciously and bravely risked all that matters to protect their fellow Americans.
Although I do see that Some Americans have stepped up and treat our current enlisted with the respect that they deserve, they (we) will never be able to make up for the treatment of our Vietnam Vets. That said, I would like to ask you to personally thank each member of your family for me, and let them know that there are Americans that have not forgotten there sacrafices, nor the turmoil that life has brought them since.
God Bless and Keep Them.

Answer 6

I recently deployed to Iraq with two indivisuals who were also deployed to Vietnam. I talked to them at great length of the differences in the two wars and their take on it was that America had gotten a bit wiser when it comes to this.

My own mother hates the war in Iraq. She protested fiercely against Vietnam. But putting her youngest daughter on a plane for that very country had her tying yellow ribbons and sporting bumper stickers that say Support Our Troops.

As a society we have figured out that the acts of the government does not dirctly reflect the soldiers. We are simply doing the mission that is given to us. As long as our orders stay lawful, we have sworn to abide by them and still do.

Thank God America FINALLY gets that.

Answer 7

'Nam was the first war the US people mostly opposed. their tyrannical protesting and mindless chatter regarding lives of humans overseas has not changed much from that point up until now. majority of people nowadays support the troops since they can understand the sacrifices they make in order to abolish tyrants and insurgants. most of the people do. but some like these people youi hear about protesting at the funerals of dead soldiers obviously have not and obviously have no shame in any amount. for the most part people understand that it is the goverment that is at fault for creating wars and the soldiers are the ones who get caught in the middle of it.

Answer 8

You need to live peacefully at home and to love your family and not to ask (it's not a question by the way) anything illogical.Vietnam war, God you should be not proud, you have to remain silent. What the hell done USA there and everywhere..Please, I am sure you love war, but why you don't stay away from the theme of war. NO against any troops, any USA interferance any more...

Answer 9

I wonder if we have learned from our mistakes? is a question and a good one.

I hope that we have. I think that a majority of Americans have. I do think that there is a part of that generation that have their hearts and minds forever trapped in the late 60's or early 70's that have not.

It is my intent that the men and women of our armed services will never again be dishonored for their brave service and sacrifice. It takes great integrity to volunteer to face injury or death for ones nation.

Answer 10

we celebreate independance day but practice entangling alliances. we have never been at threat. hitler would have been done in by the brits, russians & africans as well as the internal fights by nonsupporters of lands invaded. korea would never been able to 'spread communism to our shores'. why were we in nam? 3 years into this iraq war & people still dont know why we're there. theres no reason that stands up to reson. every war we have been in in the last 150 years has been a farce. soldiers didnt give us any of our rights nor do they preserve them, they are natural rights. in most cases the blind patriots help to confiscate rights & liberties.