Why should I pity fallen soldiers?

Question

With all due respect, soldiers sign up knowing their job will involve killing other human beings in some way. Why should I honor them when they are killed? Why not think of it like an eye for an eye- is it any different than a murderer receiving the death penalty? Now, before you get all riled up, I honestly do want to hear the other side to this. Help me understand!

Answer 1

In legitimate wars, soldiers deserve respect because they are putting their lives down to preserve the freedoms we now have. WW2 Was a classical example. And a lot of those guys were drafted, it wasn't a choice.
I do agree with your point though. I get mad when cops get killed and their cop friends are all"oh that man had a wife and kids". Well, if he had a wife and kids maybe he shouldn't be a cop. Go sell cars or something where people don't shoot at you. You know the threats of the job when you go in. I'ts not the criminals fault you chose a wife and kids.

Answer 2

Changuita, you are clearly trying to piss everyone off for your own amusement and everyone here has taken the bait.

We do not ask for your pity nor do we want your respect. Do not pity my best friend just because a molten copper slug took his head off for he would not want it. He was not here for you, America or the people of Iraq. He was here for me and the rest of us who hang it all out on the line day after day. He was not a murderer. He did not deserve an eye for an eye. He was just a young man from Michigan who manned up to a job that most are too afraid to do. It’s a shame you cannot see the difference. You will never understand because you do not want to understand.

You and TJ should get together, move to Berkley, have kids and complain about the Michael Savage and Bill O’Riley billboards that are plastered all over the freeways.

TJ is a self proclaimed soldier of truth. Why don’t you come over here and I’ll show you what the truth really is. The truth is that you’ll keep watching your television and writing your blogs while eating soy based granola bars and driving your hybrid, treating everyone with condescending overtones, acting like a blowhard to anyone who will give a damn. The thing is, nobody here gives a damn and when I step off the plane and I see your girlfriend standing there, I’m going to wink at her. She’ll smile back because she knows she’s dating a pus*y.

Answer 3

These are such great replies. I would like to chime in with the rest in agreement that soldiers neither want nor need your pity. I wouldnt want it if I had lost my husband in the war. I am disgusted that you actually think that soldiers should be PITIED, even though you dont pity them. And for the record, not all soldiers who have died were in a combat MOS. The entire army is comprised of much more than infantrymen. My husband is an 88M, a vehicle operator. He drives big trucks, as well as a forklift. He used a forklift to install barriers during the Iraq elections. He did his part to enable the Iraqis to express their right to vote. He isnt there "murdering" anyone....he was there to do a job, to do his part to free the citizens of Iraq. And for those brave infantrymen who go kicking doors in, and patrolling the street, I honor you. I am proud of you. Not a job that I could do, as I am not that brave, but I am happy doing my part in being an army wife.

And to the asker, I pity you. For you do not fully understand the freedoms that you have, and how it is that you are able to keep those rights and freedoms. You should find a soldier and kiss the ground they walk on; it is because of them that you are free today.

Answer 4

first of all in these days and time, soldiers are no long treated with the respect they deserve, Due to the lack of respect that Congress give the military. yes yoiu are right when you join the military. you know that there may come a time when you are called a upon to go to war. None of us wish to kill our fellow man. but sometimes when it's necesary, such as when Hitler, or North Korea invades a country it becomes the duty of the military to give their life to protect the Freedom that we all enjoy. it give you the right to make your choice wheather or not to pay respect to those who have fallen. unless you are an Illegal person who has not been willing to go through the proper procedure to become a free indiviual. Our country has lost all respect for what is right. no one want's to believe in God, children no longer respect adults or them selves. they bring guns to school and shoot each other. what can you exspect when you can no longer teach them what's right are wrong. I served my country proudly for 26 years. and would gladly do so now if the Army would take me back. There is no better feeling than to know that you served your Country and did the right thing. while others run off to Canada and protested. My job was to save lives I was a combat Medic, but when I had to kill to protect my Patient I did so with out hesitation. Our history teachers no longer teach our chidren. what would happen to them if we didn't have an Army to protect us from evil. people like the terrorist. would you rather they let them come here and kill you and your family and other Americans.???? I wouldn't !! I would give my life gladly to protect you and any other Country, who were threaten, God Bless America, and our Soldiers who are giving there life, so that the people of Iraq, and Affganistan can be Free. hope this will give you some kind of idea why you should honor the soldiers. they don't need your pity just your respect . Doc

Answer 5

Do you feel for fallen police officers? How about fallen fire fighters? People sign up in spite of the risk, it doesn't mean they want to die, and the vast majority of soldiers never kill anyone!

Maybe "pity" isn't the right word, but mourn is. You honor the fallen because they died fighting for a cause, and simply because they are human, just like all of us - with families and hobbies and friends.

Answer 6

As a military wife, I'm appalled at your cavalier attitude about our military. They do indeed volunteer, but so do policemen and firemen.
My husband's job is not just to "kill people", he's a fueler, NOT infantry.
Men like my husband (and the women who serve also) deserve ALL of our honor and respect for what they choose to do. But I can tell you they don't want your pity, or anyone else's. You should, however, feel at least an ounce of sympathy for the people who have lost loved ones in combat. Perhaps they went into marriage knowing that they might have to sacrifice their husband, but no one actually WANTS to have to sacrifice their husband, or their son or daughter, mother or father.
Those soldiers aren't machines. They're PEOPLE, they're flesh and blood. They have feelings, hopes, dreams, fears, just like you.
And in war, it's not murder to protect yourself, or your fellow man (or woman). Soldiers don't just go around killing everyone (at least the decent ones don't); otherwise the civilian casualty rate in war would be much higher.

Answer 7

They joined the armed forces to protect our country and our lives. I think it is disrespectful not to honor them. What if someone invaded this country. Wouldn't you want to be protected. Regardless of the circumstances they signed up to make our lives better. I understand how you feel cause I'm not for the war and innocent people dying. I'm sure too when they first went there they believed as the rest of America did. All the lies that were told to create this mess isn't there fault. To me they are our fallen hero's. And I appreciate their sacrifice.

Answer 8

The fallen soldiers don't want your pity. They want to be respected and honored the same that you would want your mother, father, son, daughter, brother or sister to be.

I don't even think you can begin to fathom what our soldiers have had to go through and are currently going through. They are strong, brave and courageous and are dying on a daily basis for the United States and it's citizens.

Haven't you heard the quote saying, "There are two people who have given their lives to protect and to save yours: Jesus and the American GI."

I suggest you change your attitude. These soldiers are innocent...they are not cold-blooded killers. I hope this is just immaturity on your part because I honestly don't understand how people can think like you do.

You should honor them for giving their lives to their country and doing so with dignity, pride and honor.

Answer 9

Your right we do know what we are getting into when we sign the contract but we don't ask to be honored. As a matter of fact people honor us out of respect not because we ask to be. We are taking the fight to the terrorist over here so that our children will never have to fight them in America.........as a US Army combat MOS I can tell you im not in favor of the war but there are defineatly some bad guys here. If they are willing to kill children with car bombs here because they are clsoe to US soldier.....what do you think they'd do if they got on American soil? Its the guys like me and the ones I serve with who are kicking in doors over here so that you can sleep in peace at night with no worries about mortars or bombing like the residents here do that's why the American public honors us because we are the 0.5% that say I'll fight so you don't have to.

Answer 10

You should honor anyone who is willing to put their life on the line in order to protect your freedoms and the life you enjoy. Did you think honorably about the firefighters and police who ran into the Twin Towers to save as many people as they could? Did you think honorably and with sympathy of their families? The military is no different... Many, if not most, military jobs aren't infantry-based, and do not involve killing. However, if necessary, they are trained to protect themselves. Also, you might check your information... our troops are not over there just indescriminately firing at anybody who moves... they are young men and women with a very difficult job to do, and they are doing it admirably. I think that deserves a bit more respect than you're showing.