Do Americans support troops by praying they would survive in Iraq? by sending them money? by calling them and boosting their moral? by feeling sorry for them and wish them well? What do really Americans mean by supporting the troops? I'm just wondering!!
2006-10-28 17:24:27 · 17 answers · asked by Mr. J 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
We as Americans learned a hard lesson after the Vietnam War. We don't like to lose, you know, ...General George S. Patton said it during the second World War, ..."Americans love a winner, ...and will not tolerate a loser". Unfortunately, we took our frustration with the government in general over how the war was run and whether or not the war was ethical out on the returning troops who'd done exactly what our government had called upon them to do, ...fight in Viet Nam. We wrongly blamed the soldiers for the war, ...calling them "baby killers" and going out of our way to spit on them, otr even worse, ...simply forgetting they even existed. It was cold, heartless and disgracefull behavior that affected every Soldier and Marine who went to Viet Nam.
In the 9 years from the end of the Viet Nam war and Operation Urgent Fury (American invasion of Grenada), Americans had a chance to re-evaluate their feelings toward their military. We also had a lot of help from probably one of the greatest Presidents this country has ever had, Ronald Reagan. If Reagan is remembered for anything, I hope it's for how he rallied American morale and patriotism and made it OK for us to be proud of our military again. And ever since, Americans have made it abundantly clear we will never blame the troops who are sent to fight for the war they most defiunately don't want to be in.
I'm a proud veteran of the United States Navy, retired from active duty in 1997. During my tenure in the Navy, the country went through turbulent times. We invaded Grenada and Panama, fought the Soviets in the Cold War and in 1991 led a coalition of forces to oust Saddam Hussein from the nation of Kuwait. All during my 20 year tour of duty, never once did I ever meet anyone at home that called me a war monger, baby killer or murderer, ...even though many of my countrymen and women were steadfastly against some or all of those campaigns I mentioned earlier.
I'm proud of the way our citizens react toward our troops now; everywhere you go there are red and yellow ribbons and "I support our troops" bumper stickers on everyone's cars. It's even become politically incorrect to not support the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. But, what I personally hate is how we sent our best and brightest to fight a war in Iraq that most Americans don't agree with anymore. I detest seeing our sons and daughters brought home in flag draped coffins and cry for the fathers and mothers, wives, husbands and children whose loved ones have paid the ultimate price for service to our country simply because we have a buffoon for a President. But I can honestly say I've never been more proud of our soldiers, sailers, airmen and marines than I am this very day. Once again they have been called to serve in an unpopular war, and once again they have answered the call to duty with honor, courage and unending self sacrifice. They have kept the faith with their predecessors and have earned to undying respect and gratitude of every American anywhere.
2006-10-28 19:09:17 · answer #1 · answered by CV59StormVet 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Well, this a kick in the ***; most answered 8 YEARS AGO! Any of you still alive? Indeed, some Vietnam vets did get the cold shoulder when we came home. Even my own family kept far apart for years. This caused some of us to go quietly through life and eke out an existence in silence. We Support Our Troops is merely rhetoric; most of our citizens say they do, but do little else; me included. I have never approached a new generation vet and choose to mind my own business ... the rejection lingers still. If those of you say you support .... then say it with respect and HELP out a war vet that is in need, of jobs, security, housing, education, food, yes, even money. My last job with an IT company called 2020LLC fired me when I complained after 12 years on a contract, that I was being discriminated due to my age, harassed by management, and passed over for promotion. Their answer "We no longer need you and you are now terminated." Now at 65, the oldest employee with the company, a Vietnam veteran of two years in-country, and yes, with my first baby(!), I was out on the street. If 2020 truly supported our troops, veterans; whatever, I'd still be working and not having for the first time in my life, turn to social programs for assistance. Think about that, my fellow Americans. And when you say you support .... MEAN IT, and DO IT.
2014-12-01 13:40:03 · answer #2 · answered by james 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means (to me) that no matter what the political climate is here at home, that the troops are attached no blame and we wish them Godspeed.
It also means that they are in our prayers. We watch over their families when they are deployed, hold their jobs for them until they return (in the case of National Guard or Reservists), we treat them like the friends and family that they are and not criminals.
It also means if they need something we send it to them: magazines, cards, letters, warm clothes, comfort items, words of support, cell phones and free minutes, things of that nature.
2006-10-28 18:23:01 · answer #3 · answered by submariner662 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All of the above. When a citizen says they support the troops it's okay. I can understand their concern: but when Bush urges Americans to support the troops I see it as a sneaky way of saying support the war.
2006-10-28 17:33:18 · answer #4 · answered by longroad 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Americans mean when they use that term: I don't believe in the War and I think what they're doing is wrong, but "I support the troops". Basically that means you don't want them to die to some.
2006-10-28 17:27:28 · answer #5 · answered by MEL T 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We support our troops by praying for them and their families. By being here for their families while they are away. By displaying the American flag, and yellow ribbons on our homes and vehicles, even tatoos on our bodies, By honoring our fallen heroes, and by voting. Also by holding rallys and parades when they return to the states. Everbody shows support in different ways. To sum it up I'd say we support our troops by treating them like we do our closest friends and family, or anybody else who would kill and die for us...
2006-10-28 17:38:56 · answer #6 · answered by J P 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
We support everything they're trying to do. And believe it or not, they ARE doing it for us. That's ALL my daughter says, "We're over here so you guys can be safe." They're trying to make this world a better place and all I hear are negative feelings. I go on websites and voice my opinion, I send care packages, I say everything I can to "boost" their moral---not "You guys shouldn't be over there; they should send all our troupes home." Sure, they want to come home, but please give them the credit they deserve; that they're actually DOING something for everybody! Hope none of you out there are ever trying to do something and someone keeps putting you down for it; whatever or whoever you're working for.
2006-10-28 17:41:11 · answer #7 · answered by Nancy D 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We support our troops means just that..
It takes on a lot of forms..
Some of which you have mentioned...
2006-10-28 17:30:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It means never repeating our mistake of spitting in the faces of 20- somethings that fought a war they didn't ask for.
2006-10-28 21:44:35 · answer #9 · answered by browning_1911 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our troops believe enough in what there doing.So I support there decision no matter what!And thank god for our troops!
2006-10-28 17:36:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋