What message are we sending our military?

Question

Today I was waiting on a table at work, and talking to the woman sitting there. I happened to mention that my husband was serving in Iraq right now, and she told me her son, who was sitting at the other end of the table and was probably only 19 or 20, had just returned. He looked at her and said, "Mom, nobody cares!" I was completely shocked by his attitude. Then I got to thinking, is this the message that Americans are sending to our troops? Yeah, we support you, but we don't support what you're doing.
I see these guys everyday. I talk to them and know that they're proud of what they've accomplished. Too bad America is not. Too bad our government is divided over what to do and acting like children in making their decisions.
Our military are young guys with young families ... but they seem to think we don't care.

Actually no, I live in a military town. They are always coming home. Or departing. It's a way of life here. When the bus drops them off, their families and friends are waiting for them and there are always banners welcoming them home outside the main gate. Some of the messages, such as "I can't wait to meet you Daddy" bring tears to my eyes.

Answer 1

I care about our soldiers & are proud of them & their job.
My son is an Officer in military & leaves shortly. But I have been a military supporter since my Uncle joined in 1963 & explain how the military pays for our freedom.
Freedom is never free & the Iraqi War is helping to give freedom to the Iraqi people. It is shameful the way America treats their military.

Answer 2

I just want to say that even though I think we shouldn't be in Iraq anymore doesn't mean I don't support our troops. I think it is past time to bring our soldiers home-but know they won't return until the job is done. I say a prayer every night for people like your husband and the people where you live. If it wasn't for their courage to fight for those they love then we wouldn't have the freedom we enjoy today. I am proud to say I live in American and proud of those representing our country. I blame part of the way Americans view our military on the media. Why is it that only the bad things a few soldiers do is spread all over the news while the stories of soldiers who have helped communities never aired? People always want to hear the worst about others. I have many friends in the armed services and the things they see are things we can't even imagine. I think more people should realize that the men and women they are protesting against are someone's loved one. Be proud that they've decided to fight for what they hold dear-freedom.

Answer 3

I seriously doubt this is the case. The American people have always been behind the troops. I doubt the troops don't know that. There are always car stickers and signs everywhere that read "Support Our Troops". If they see that and don't think that people care then there is something seriously wrong with them. Our troops aren't stupid. He may have had another reason for saying what he said. He may get tired of his mom telling everyone about that. He may also be trumatized. You have no idea what it would be like seeing your buddies die in a firefight on the streets of Fallujah or feel hopeless because you don't seem to be making much of a difference against these terrorists. War is a horrible thing to go through. It's romanticized in movies and novels, but it is not something anyone should want to go through. No one sane anyway. Who knows what this young man may have seen or been through while over there. I probably wouldn't want to talk about it either.

Answer 4

Well, he's wrong when he says "nobody cares." Sure, a lot of people care, but not the majority of people.

The majority of people consider the war to be something that doesn't effect them or their loved ones. What's on TV tonight is more important to them.

Such is life. Being in the military and having served is something to be proud of, but we don't need "the American people" to really care. We have our own support system.

Answer 5

I'm behind our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, National Guards, and Reserves all the way. What really rattles my cage is the politicians are busy ripping each others guts out about whether or not we need to stay in Iraq. If they have a brain in their heads, the politicians will sit down and work out a plan for a gradual withdrawal by the end of this decade.

Answer 6

Ideaman stole my answer lol. Very well put. Of course it is better to be able to talk things out with someone, war for the United States has always been a last resort. I'm proud of our country and our military. We have to stand up and fight if need be for the right to be a free people. I blame the peacenicks and organizations like the ACLU for prolonging this war. We need to win it and come home. But the military today is made to fight a politically correct war and that just doesn't cut it. These terrorists want to kill you and me no talking is going to change that. By prolonging the war more folks will die unnecessarily To stop this war we need to crush this enemy take the fight out of them. Let our military do it's job and stop wringing your hands at how terrible we treat these poor misunderstood radicals. That's the way I explain it to my two kids and they understand. Oh by the way, There seems to be a movement to feminize men going on. Darn I forgot her name but this pretty well know lady psychiatrist who is not married said on the radio that she will not date a man who p's standing up. lol

Answer 7

I am currently on the verge of being to old to serve. When I was of age I did. Three years in the U S Army. That time has helped define my life. In the area I currently live in I have little opportunity to tell the current Gulf War vets that I appreciate everything they do for us all. Everyone I do know does however know my feelings. They are doing a tough job and doing it to the best of their ability. I and my family support them and know they are truly heros. Please pass this message on to them if it would help. America does support our troops.
P.S.
I am 42 y/o and have a family, joining again has been a thought but probibly not help anyone in the field.

Answer 8

i support our troops 100% my husband is currently deployed for the second time and even if we are not able to enjoy our time together like most married couples I am still proud of what he is doing. He however doesnt feel the same not because he hates the military but because he has missed more than half of my sons life and missed our daughters birth. He is the type of person that doesnt like for others to come up to him and thank him, I dont know why.... Im guessing its just that he has spent more time over there than with us.

Answer 9

Anyone that joins the military doesn't care if America cares or not. They originally cared enough to join and do their "duty". As for right or wrong, that is another story. What should troops do for their country that their country isn't doing for them. No one will benifit from war but the ones who invested in the making of a war. The Military is the pawn of a war that doesn't decide right from wrong, stay or go. If the makers of the war don't care enough about the troops to keep them from harm's way and only to use them as a last resort, then what should America's troops think? It's because of war, that made people turn against their own country. Timothy McVeigh was bothered by what he was pressed into doing for his country and look what happened. The more days that pass by, the more it looks like GWB doesn't want troops to come home for that reason.

Answer 10

But doesn't that say much about the Commander-in-Chief too, does it?
Could the young man be talking about the lack of good body armour, weaponry and Walter Reed?

Has Bush, Cheney and Gates given much care and attention to the troops? I know Rumsfeld doesn't give a $hit about the troops.
That's why there was so much mismanagement.

How many times has Bush flown to Iraq during these 4 years the war has been raging in Iraq?

What about Pat Stillman's death and the subsequent cover up?
Do you think that is the right message being sent to the servicemen? That no matter how much you give to the military and country, they won't give you the appropriate pay back?

Walter Reed is really the ultimate.
Does the President need a road map to tell him that when soldiers are wounded, you have to give them the best possible care?

It's a no-brainer!
But maybe the Command-in-Chief really has no brains.