Are we (the United States of America) truly a grateful nation?

Question

I am not in the military and do not have another family member in the military as well. This message is not out of strife or anger at a presidency or loss of a loved one. Just merely an overbearing thought for myself and the country I love.

If we were truly grateful should not our armed forces men and women (or at the very least the ones in combat zones) be treated like kings and queens when they return? Lots of free everything, and in certain ways be set for life?

Or for myself,... If I was truly grateful for men and women going in my place to fight and stand for freedom..... why haven't I taken one day,... or even a few hours out of my time to greet soldiers as they come home.

I really don't have this figured out yet but is it just lethargy? All the way from the presidency down to the common man? Are we just too lazy to form new bills that heavily favor those in battle or take time to greet soldiers? Or could it be that we stay too busy with day to day stuff to really care?

Answer 1

My hubby is in th eAir force, and one night after he came back from the sandbox, we went out to dinner for a nice quiet time. He was in his uniform and a little embarrassed by it considering he didnt want any attention, but he was working late that day and our son was too hungry to go all the way home for him to shower and change. Anywho we ate our food and waited for the bill. All of a sudden we got a round of dessert that we didnt ask for and the bill which had a note on it. The family behind us paid in full, the note said, "We dont want any thanks, we just want to thank you for serving us. So in our own way se are serving you. "
That little gesture brought tears to my eyes. That was a very simple and kind gesture.

Answer 2

Yes, our men and women in uniform should be treated with the up-most respect. While they are fighting our battles, they should never be worried about what is going on here at home. Bills, lost jobs etc. It is our duty to treat our defenders the best that we can. Not only those in service now, but those from the past as well, when you see a tag that say "disabled veteran" or "bronze star" take the time to say thank you for all that you did.

Answer 3

As a nation, I don't the the USA really is. Some people are, but I agree that more of the public are more tuned in to American Idol and Paris Hilton than have any clue what's going on overseas.

I don't believe in blind hero worship (for lack of a better term) of the military, though. Certainly those men & women exhibit bravery in carrying out their duty, but soldiers are just people like everyone else!!

They serve to protect the freedoms we enjoy here and for that I am grateful, but their standing up for what they believe in, is no greater feat than the peace corp volunteers who do the same- working to provide aid to civilians in war zones and in their case, without any weapons to defend themselves- or the firefighters who run into burning buildings to save people they don't know, or the teachers and counselors who work to intervene and keep kids out of violent street gangs.

Look, there are good & bad people in all walks of life- including the armed forces. Just putting on a U.S. military uniform doesn't make someone any better or worse than someone who puts on a suit, or lifeguard's trunks, or bus driver's uniform, or baseball jersey, or hospital scrubs.

I DO think our government owes these people the best medical care when they return, especially those wounded in the line of duty. It's a national disgrace that veterans aren't given proper care and some even wind up homeless on the streets. I do think thanking them for their service is appropriate.

The bottom line is a soldier is a soldier, no matter which country he was born in, or which what race/nationality he happens to be. There is no difference is the commitment and sacrifice of soldiers from countries that we aren't friendly with (like North Korea, Iran etc) and that made by our own troops. They simply defend the policies and interests of their governments, often at the cost of their own lives.

We are fortunate to have the people defending us that we do, they are the best in the world at it! But it's all too easy to get carried away- this is a textbook case of "the clothes don't make the man" (or woman). I choose to judge people by the content of their character- not the color of their skins, or their uniforms.

Answer 4

Showing your support for those of us that have served, doesn't mean that you have to hold parades or greet us when we return. It means more to us to see words such as this. Even if you don't support the war, you should still support the troops.
It saddens me to see the American people advocating for the rights of insurgent detainees, while coalition forces are being tortured and be-headed by our enemy.
We don't need to be treated like kings and queens upon returning; instead, I'd like to see better compensation for the families of those who were killed over there.
It's true that we weren't paid very much (ten dollars a day extra), but seeing people -like yourself- who appreciate everything we've done is worth more than money.

Answer 5

I agree. We are so spoiled in this country we care more about some ignorant skinny blond going to jail for a few days than we do about our guys spending years over seas getting shot risking their lives for us.

Our fore fathers and mothers fought and died to make this country and keep it. They also worked their asses off to make it a better place for us. Very few of us now can even imagine what it take to make a country like this one so we are just spoiled.

I have lived in other countries and cannot understand how anyone could think of this country as killers and occupiers. We have done at least, if not more than any country in the world to make it a better place. Shame on those that dishonor our servicemen or our flag.

Answer 6

I was always told , actions speak louder than
words. As a retired Viet-nam vet who served my
country, the U:S:A for 22yrs of my life, received
only lies of what was promised after I retire. Many
benefits have been wiped out because of no
money, and health care that was promised is now
changed to where we have to pay for it, and it just
got more expensive, that is why I am living in
Panama, with much more benefits as a retired
person that the U:S:A would ever give a person.
Such as 25percent of electric bill, 30percent off
international air fares, 15percent off prescriptions,
no property taxes, 25percent off phone bill, all of
this and more, and the American retired population
is growing and growing every year because the
word is out, and to top it off it is much safer to live
here than in the states because too many count-
ries are after Bush and to get to him they have to
invade the states, and the country is not as safe
as it once was.

Answer 7

that's great which you're doing nicely, even with the shown fact which you're nevertheless undocumented. there's an exact thank you again here, and being here illegally is a criminal offense. the different difficulty is which you will not have the flexibility to get a job without social protection sort.

Answer 8

Most feel as you do, but sadly it isn't "Politically Correct" to respect the military. I think it's because they go to church, and many are from the South.

Answer 9

grateful for what??