what about our soldiers?

Question

Out of all the things that I constantly read or hear about the "war" in iraq is the fact that everyone is focusing on those that make the decisions.....no one understands what our troops are going through. Media outlets hardly report the fact that our troops are being killed. Those same people will say that "insert a soldiers name" was killed in Iraq and "he/she was from insert town". Those soldiers that arent killed and instead lose a limb or limbs due to an IED are rarely if ever reported on. It took the Walter Reed Hospital debacle to shine the light on our soldiers that are recovering from losing limbs or what have you.

The one thing I find seriously flawed is that you never see politicians or celebrities children volunteering to go over to Iraq and sacrafice themselves for their country. Are these people too good to serve their country, the country that has afforded them their celebrity status?

Before anyone says that I should enlist, I am unable to. Due to the fact that I am disabled in that I do not have a right hip and do not have a hip replacement....so dont go down that road.

Answer 1

I live near and work in the city of San Antonio, which is a military town, both Army and Air Force, and is very supportive of all soldiers, sailors and airmen.

There are two national cemeteries in this city. People volunteer to help families of deployed soldiers and to visit the wounded and crippled in the two large military hospitals here.

This is also a popular retirement city. I can go any day of the week and find surviving World War II, Korean War or (like me) Vietnam War veterans and visit about our common experiences.

While I suspect San Antonio may be one of the better cities in the U.S. when it comes to supporting the military it is not the only city that does so.

I would agree that too few politicians have shared this experience, but many are supportive and a few have had children volunteer to serve in military services--too few, but enough to exclude the word "never."

As a veteran myself, I don't ask for that much. I was fortunate enough to have not been wounded or otherwise damaged by my military experience. I cherish the friendships and comradeship of fellow veterans and fellow airmen and soldiers when I was on active service.

That is a good reward. I also receive some very helpful retirement benefits, and just being thanked for my service is an incredible recognition--one I don't entirely deserve but will cheerfully accept and pass along to others who served as I have.

I suspect a great many soldiers, sailors, airmen and veterans feel much as I do.

By the way, if you have not done so, next time you are in D.C. go visit Arlington National Cemetery. It will give you a better perspective on how our miltary services relate to our nation, and every American should have that perspective, including most of us vets.

Answer 2

My best Friend lost both his legs in Iraq and I was about 20 feet from him when it happened. Learn some respect and you don't have to support the war but you should respect the troops.

Answer 3

Let's get Sean Penn,Richard Gere,Barbara Streisand,Cheryl Crow, ET AL. and send them to An Bar province

Answer 4

Ok do yourself a favor and write some of the disabled soldiers and Thank them for our service.

Answer 5

You really should not tell people what to do.