Response from a Vet?

Question

***The following, is a response, that I received to one of my Posts, concerning the Pride I get by shaking the hand of Our Brave Military** It read, in part:
"I guess I'm gonna piss a few off with my answer. I am a Vietnam Veteran. I wish I could go back into The Army and do my part. But I'm past my prime.
This is for those whoe think Our Military Hereos, are being taken advantage of. By keeping them in Iraq. Guess what, People? They aren't ready to come home, because the Job isn't finished. They belive in what they're doing.Our Soldiers are not about to turn tail and run. Unless they are pulled out by our Government.
In Vietnam, we didn't get the Job done. Because of that, myself, and many others. Don't have closure But War, itself, is personal. Causes of War is Political, in many cases. But War, itself is personal.
Forget Poliics! And support our Courageous Men & Women who are in Uniform.

(He then continues)
A Petition is going `round. For all who Support Our Soldiers. To wear Red every Friday. I do. Willl you?"

The Response was signed, simply 'Sarge'.

And I do have permission to use his beautiful words. Thanks Sarge! We owe you a great deal of gratitude.

Dean: This is that Grand Slam, I wanted. Thanks for gettin' me there.

Ken: Maybe if we show them the benefits of what Democracy can bring `em? They just may wanna put down their weapons. It's just a thought. And you are welcomed to have yours.

Sarge: I am honored to have you as my Friend. I hope to be able to share a Beer with you some time. Peace.
BTW, is my Avatar, that misleading?

Answer 1

There is a stigma for past military troops of Vietnam, that they couldn't win, just as there is now in Iraq. I don't believe that stigma. Liberals in both wars, have done everything they possibly could to bring down the morale of the troops, and bash their own government and country, IN BOTH WARS. Men and women die folks, when they're too busy crying, that America doesn't love them anymore, instead of fighting for America, as they were ordered to do by the American government, and sometimes her people. Did not the American People themselves ASK President Bush, after 9/11 to go to war? Anyone who says they didn't is a liar.
President Nixon is often times blamed for Vietnam, by Liberals. For those who would tell the truth, who started Vietnam? A: Lyndon Johnson, a Liberal Democrat, for personal gain.
Aside from all these political reasons, all the suffering of both soldiers, and citizens, is it not the DUTY, and job for American soldiers to follow their hearts, do as they were commanded by the Commander In Chief?
Is it not the DUTY, RESPONSIBILITY, and JOB, of the citizens of the USA to stand by their men and women in combat?????
A soldier when he joins the military, isn't given a choice on what he or she must do.
An American civilian has many choices. The American soldier gave them to you.
Respect, and use your choices wisely.

Answer 2

We have all seen how foreign countries make fun of the U.S. When our own citizens have no faith in our government, try to tear it down from the inside, ridicule our President, side with the enemy ... it's no wonder we have lost respect in the eyes of some. Think of how incredibly effective it would be if all Americans could stand together in support of the troops' efforts to liberate the oppressed and instill democracy! Forget politics, as Sarge said. Let them finish the job. Let them come home having succeeded, rather than having been defeated.

Answer 3

Buzz, thank you for your service to our country, and for your post on Q&A. The democratic Party are the only ones taking advantage of our military, By using them in their game of politics. Of all the democratic leaders that have been to Iraq I have yet to see one ask a soldier if he wants to come home before the job is done or if he thinks what he is doing is right. and I am sure this is not asked because they know what the answer will be. And I will also honor your request, as will my family and friends,every friday will now be red friday and we will wear red in honor of our brave soldiers.

Answer 4

Thank God for our Veterans who serve to protect America

standing against our arch enemy then Russia who armed the Viet cong and descipled them
the Viet Nam war was trying to protect a help less farm land of south Viet Nam from the factory north which was communist-but we fought a neutral war-not attacking their country-you can not fight a neutral war-when we pulled the soldiers came home to gutless protesters many of whom where pot heads who would fight against America but not for its honor. when we pulled out of south Vietnam our troups out they came down and killed all those opposed to communism and all the Christians and into Laos and Cambodia and did the same.

Now we are engaged in a country that has massacred the Kawaities the Kurds in their own country-has been a base for terrorists against America and Israel and other lands such as England too. ;It is fight them there or leave and let the terrorists get total control of their first country an oil rich country of Iraq-it is a horror our troups do die-yet its not purposeless-our government by free media has made the commander in chief who listens to his military leaders and persues the recommended course of action. His greatest haters are those that think a man should be able to marry another man-and have direct access in the military to other men too.

Ye in it all God and country is the key-to love God heart and soul and others as we love ourselves-this means to be careful who we help, yet when the strong do nothing the mean take over.

In Jesus amazing grace that saved a wretch like me=John 3 repented of sin and born again to see the kingdom of heaven with Jesus now in my heart as my best friend, for God and country, amen

have a great day and thanks

Answer 5

I have friends that have served in both Vietnam and Iraq.

All same the same thing... If left alone to do the job they were trained to do, both would have been overwhelming successes.

They politicians are trying to run the war. That is BS!

Do you know that in Iraq the troops can not fire at an armed enemy combatant unless fired upon or permission is given by a ranking officer? What the hell is that about?

Answer 6

I am the retired soldier who posted the above comments. From the responses thus far, it seems to me that some are afflicted with tunnel vision. It is possible to support our heroic men and women who are in harms way and still maintain your own political beliefs. But when you give a soldier a job to do, give him/her the resources they need and get the hell out of their way. There are far too many non soldiers trying to run this war. Our people in uniform are sacrificing homes, families, jobs and even their very lives so that those who choose to can sit at their computers and lambaste them. Certainly they would rather not be there. I didn't want to be in Viet Nam, but somebody had to do it. My duty was clear then and our soldiers today see a clear duty to do what they are doing. I salute Buzzard for his unselfish stand. Too many would rather follow like sheep and not stand up and voice their true feelings. They are afraid of what their peers might think. I will always stand and be counted for my country, regardless of politics or peers. I will, with deep pride, wear the red each and every Friday in support of our heroes. I am an American.

Answer 7

When ever I'm out and about, I thank all who I see in military uniform.
Last time I was in New York I thanked every first responder I saw as well.
I was in the military myself. I wasn't in any conflict, but I do understand the sense of duty. Most, not all, but most people that have been in the military understand this. Our military today is an all volunteer force. They understand and understood the possible dangers involved when they joined.
Sure, I would bet that most of the people deployed right now have other places they would much rather be. But they also have a job to do, and wish to complete.
When our government sends troops into harms way, then when it begins to not go perfectly they want to pull them out they will create another Vietnam. No doubt.
I know, there are some people in uniform right now that speak out against being in Iraq. Out of the thousands of troops there, it's odd how the media only finds those few and broadcasts it around the world like it's the normal consensus of all the troops.
Cudos to the person who sent that to you.

Answer 8

Well, I'm not a vet but you requested my answer so....
My grandfather served in Japan during WWII and has NEVER talked to me about it until recently after hearing people not supporting the troops because of their politics. He then went on to describe horrific experiences and subsequent addiction to alcohol. I'll never forget what he said : "this is the price of freedom, war is freedom. I would fight to the death for my country." A few weeks ago I was speaking with my uncle and father (both Vietnam vets) and they showed me something I'd never seen before: a photo album filled with letters, newspaper articles, and pictures of them while they were in the jungle. I have always had a deep reverence for our military, but this completely changed me. All I could think was these men put their lives on the line so that I could be free, so people in tiny corners of the world could enjoy their God given right to be free. I even have friends now who wouldn't spit on Bush if he were on fire, but they're still overseas sacrificing everything for America because, regardless of their politics, their first loyalty is to God and their country. They deserve nothing but undying support and complete and total respect.

Answer 9

Not that it will make a difference in the anti-war people. I agree that we need to finish what we started. There is nothing worse than the soldiers that have died being remembered for dying in a war that wasn't finished because of cowardice.

Answer 10

I do and always will support our soldiers, but I am having a hard time with supporting Bush, Rumsfield and whoever else that was behind a lot of the mistakes that have happened. I was glad to see Rumsfeild step down, but the damage is far to great now, I do want the soldiers to come home asap, but I am afraid that if that were to happen those poor poor people that do believe that they need our protection, are going to be slaughtered, by the terrorist themselves.