Today is Veteran’s day, and I’ve been trying to think of a way to thank and honor those men and women who have ensured that I can sit here, safe and warm in my house, and proclaim, “George W. Bush is a Jerkass.”
Well, I have a friend, and she and her husband are both veterans. She wrote the following, and reprinting it here is the best tribute to Veterans, and the best way of saying thank you that I can think of.
This weekend, with Veteran’s Day coming up, a friend asked me “What are some things about people serving in the US military that you think we civilians under-appreciate or don’t understand?”
It was a tough question. On Veteran’s Day, it’s not only about those who have died, but those who have served and sacrificed and come away forever changed.
The military is really a separate culture within American culture. When we’d talk about “civilians,” it was almost like talking about a different species. How can someone understand, truly understand “Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die” without living in that culture?
Before joining the military, I’d hear on the news “40 US troops were killed in today’s bombing of such-and-such” and think, “Gee, that’s sad.” But you know, in a way, it was just numbers. After joining the military, the word “troops” took on a whole new meaning. “Troops” meant me. My husband. My friends. My brothers and sisters. It meant loving, caring, intelligent, funny human beings were dead or injured.
When CNN would report, “The US has deployed several thousand troops to somewhere,” it meant that mothers were being sent away from their children. Sons were being sent away from their parents. Families and friends and lovers were being separated, never knowing if they’d ever see each other again.
Some of them WOULD never see each other again. Would never be able to get
that one last hug, a last kiss, hear a word of kindness or forgiveness. Yet these troops went willingly into that uncertainty.
When you hear “troops,” when any civilian hears “troops,” what does it mean to you? It’s such a sanitized word.
Another thing I wonder if civilians understand is this: service is often boring. Really boring. Running preventive maintenance checks on vehicles and equipment in the hot North Carolina sun at Fort Bragg. Sitting in a tent in a field in Korea in 10-degree weather waiting for aircraft to land. Driving through the desert in Saudi Arabia where everything looks the same on your way to your camp. Sitting in a foxhole in Panama in the rain, watching. Constantly going over common task training: how to treat a sucking chest wound. How to get your protective mask on as quickly as possible. How to disassemble and reassemble your M-16. Over and over.
Preparing, trying to stay prepared.
How boring is it? Someone sent a box of romance novels to my old unit when they were in Saudi. The guys in the unit snapped ’em up to read faster than the women did.
No one talks much about the sitting around part.
The “troops” are people. They do wacky things too. Some of the guys in Saudi were going through magazine ads, writing to every company they could find saying, “We’re in the Persian Gulf. Could you send us a sample of X?” Some companies sent samples — and a few of the tents got their own pink lawn flamingoes and artificial raccoons.
There’s also some adrenalin rushes like when you get caught in an Anti-American riot in Seoul or run into an area marked with signs for chemical attack in the Saudi desert. Or get shot at.
Or have to shoot back.
In the back of your mind is this: you could die. You could lose an arm or a leg. You could die in a training accident. You try to keep this very, very far back in your mind.
But I think it’s always there.
Probably most importantly, and most difficult, is you have to trust in the chain of command that they will not use you poorly. You’ve taken an oath of service to your country, and you must trust that the orders you receive will allow you to be of service in some positive manner. I hear people say all the time, “If I were in the military, I would never have gone to Saudi” or “I would never have done those kinds of things they did in Vietnam/WWII/etc.” Truth is, maybe they wouldn’t — but they probably would.
Or they wouldn’t be in the military.
Because that trust is essential, even with the training we have in the Uniform Code of Military Justice and what constitutes an “illegal order.” You go where you’re deployed. You bomb the targets you’re supposed to bomb. You place the Claymore mines “front towards enemy” and you trust, you hope, it’s for a greater good.
You must live with it if, later, you find that there was little to no positive effect from your actions. Think of finding a baby bird and putting it back into its nest, after which the mother rejects it and it dies. You were trying to help, but nothing good came of it. Now imagine being involved in a military action where, at the end, nothing of significance has changed.
Military service changes you forever, even if you serve only a 4-year term in peacetime. You’ll never get those years back. Never.
And through all this, you know that civilians don’t much care about you. Not really. Oh, perhaps they’ll come out on Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day, maybe lay out some flowers, wear a ribbon, but most will just see it as a day off from work.
Still we serve. We serve because the Constitution of the United States promises something good and true. We serve so that opposing viewpoints can take the stage, or the microphone, and protest actions they feel are unjust. We serve for ourselves, for our families, for our future. We serve for a variety of reasons, some selfish and some pure, in the hopes that something positive will come of it. On Veteran’s Day, I would wish that everyone would remember and think of the men and women who have served in the past and who serve today, and honor their humanity. The laughter, the tears, the love, the pride in a new baby, the intelligence, insight, and humor that is part of all of us. I wish people would take one moment to think of that girl in a tent somewhere in the desert, or that
guy in a foxhole in the jungle, and understand that it could be your daughter, your son, your wife, your husband.
Instead, I fear that when they hear “25 troops were killed in some foreign country today,” they won’t bat an eye.
It was just “troops.”
Of all it means to be a veteran, perhaps that may be the hardest thing of
all.
Ok, so I’m Cdn, but my dad is still military.. this was very well written..
Thanks.
A.
Wow. That was wonderful. I do have a cousin that is my age that is in the military. I think that was a great way to pay tribute.
God Bless our troops, both past, present and future. It is to those who serve, that we owe thanks, for our freedom, our home and our lives. May the powers that be watch over them, guide them, and bring them home, no matter where that may be.
Leo & Tracey Romero
Philadelphia, PA
P.S. Thank you Wil for posting your friend’s letter. It was truly remarkable.
My brother is an M.P. in the Canadian army, this is a wonderful tribute to people serving everywhere.
I don’t know what to say.
Thank you very much.
I have much to think on.
It’s this humanizing of the war machine that really strikes a sad note in me. I’m afraid I cannot sympathize.
Troops are troops. You can care for each other all you like, but if you believe for a moment that the numbers mean more to your politicians sending you to die and kill… I believe you are mistaken.
My wife is in the National Guard. She belongs to an Engineers Division whose responsibility it is to create and maintain headquarters for the brass. They are one of two or three units in the nation that do that. So, I get a little nervous whenever people start talking about ‘going over there’ and kicking a little tail. We have a little girl, 2 yrs old this June, and she doesn’t like it too much when mom disappears for awhile out of the blue. It’s happened for a total of about 9 weeks this last year, what with the Olympics and all. I can’t imagine it happening for months at a time.
I just hope that should anything happen, those in power do a very thorough job of thinking things through.
Thanks for posting this essay, Wil. I have to admit that, most of the time, I hear “troops” without thinking of the people inside the word. On occasion, I think of the people, of individuals, that must be a part of “troop.” I think of what they might be thinking; what they might be experiencing. It *is* moving to me – and I’m grateful for them, and the troops that have gone on before, and for what they’ve given for the good of our country.
Cuz, you know what? Despite the things that we have to complain about; the things we don’t like; this is *still* a great country to call home.
god bless abuelito, papi, mis amigos, and all the vets out there. very well written. thanks!
god bless abuelito, papi, mis amigos, and all the vets out there. very well written. thanks!
Usually I just mindlessly agree with whatever you post Wil; but this took some hard thinking. Your friend is right, and I’ll never hear the news about “troops” and think the same way again.
Wil, I think you succeded in making all of us more aware of of how the men and women in our miliatry services contribute to our lives, both in the past and in the present. JBAY’S announcement in the Soapbox was also sensitive and well taken.
And thanks very much to your veteran friends who expressed so beautifuly their thoughts on what it means to serve in the military. One can only feel a bit ashamed for not being more aware and thankful for the sacrifices of the many who serve and have served.
I picked up the phone and called an elderly veteran friend of mine who flew 32 missions over Germany as a bomber pilot…and never set foot on the ground! I had never really thought to thank him over the years, even after the many stories he has told me…so I thanked him and he was really appreciative.
My veteran friend and both my father and cousin all say the same thing about WWII and the Korean Wars in which they served…”We did what we had to do.” And when they said that to me, in assorted conversations over the years, none of them ever asked for anything in return as far as appreciation or even a response. And I just took it all for granted.
So, to your friends and my friends and family I offer my thanks, appreciation and my promise to be more aware and sensitive to the needs of veterans. Best, Rob
Will,
I have a brother in the Navy who may be shipping out in December or January, my father and stepfather served in the Navy as well as my Grandfather. There are occasions though, when even I lose sight of who those nameless, faceless, “troops” are and your friends letter helped to remind me that some of those “troops” are my own family members. Thank you.
Jon-Paul
George W. Bush is far from a Jerkass. Jealous that the repubs and conservative values are storming the country? Your starting to sound like a hollywood elitist liberal.
Thanks for posting your friend’s letter. She has written a touching and quite remarkable essay. I am glad I am alive and living in this country, too.
Well it only took 13 comments for the assclown to show up.
Way to miss the point, jackhole.
Wil,
Once upon a time the date 11/11 meant Armistice Day. A Celebration of peace, and the soldiers who help preserve that peace. I am always amazed that the change of the name of the day to Veterens Day somehow sometimes is supposed to mean something different, when it does not. Today is not about Celebrating just the soldier, but the peace the soldier helps to bring.
Shrub (little Bush, our current de facto leader) doesn’t get that message, and that’s where a big part of the problem lies. Mr. Prediletto, the country isn’t swinging to the right – only the people who actually voted. If only 40% of the country votes and only 55% of them vote the Bush way, that’s only 22% of the country. BIIIIG Mandate there….
(off soapbox and back to topic)
I’m a draft-dodging SOB myself, and I think your words (and those quoted) are fantastic. You can hate war and all it stands for, but not the soldiers who do what they do. Today’s American military is voluntary (as opposed to earlier times like Vietnam) and it’s work most of us wouldn’t or couldn’t do.
Soldiers have the right to this day because of the results they fight for, and I have no problem giving it to them.
Semper Fi
It’s very hard reconciling how I feel about the military and its political aspects, and this very articulate and meaningful essay posted on WWDN.
On the one hand, it’s a damn good point. The people who are sent to fight are people too. We can’t discount that.
On the other hand, there is the entire question of whether we have needed to be so militarized in the past 20 years, and whether our political machine has made even mediocre decisions at best as to how to use our military.
Yes, there is a need to be prepared. But how prepared?
Yes, the United States is a superpower. But does this give us the right to interfere in the workings of other nations?
How will attacking Iraq fix the situation? How will destroying even more foreign lives help curb terrorist groups that feed off the hate and fear provoked in part by these attacks?
Thanks for posting this, Will, and thank you, Mystery ServiceLady, for writing it. What a lot of people need to do a lot more of is thinking about things just like this, and coming up with conclusions themselves.
Today, we stand as Americans, not just because of our loyalty to this country but the many Americans whom serve to keep us standing, yes, Wil is one of many Americans who believe W. is a dork.
Thanks Wil.
(Former) USNavy Electricians Mate 1st Class – Submarines (Nuclear)
With all the GWB bashing that Wil indulges in on this site, let me add something different along these lines.
Not only am I thankful for our troops, but I am thankful that we have a President that’s not afraid to use our power for good.
“With great power comes great responsibility”.
It’s popular nowadays to be cynical and say that all politicians care about is their reelection. And after Clinton, it’s not surprising. (This is not Democrat bashing; I have no problem in saying that Carter, flawed as he was, tried to do the right thing most of the time). I believe that Bush sees Iraq as a long-term threat that needs to be taken care of now, rather than years down the road when he really does get weapons of mass destruction.
I think we need to learn the lessons of history. All the same arguments were used back in the 1930s when Hitler was going on his rampage. Imagine how many lives could have been saved if the world had acted when Germany was weak, rather than reacted once they had taken over a few countries.
Imagine where we’d be if we had allowed Heissein to take over Kuwait — and then move into Saudi Arabia, as he was planning.
The United States has always been about something greater. Greater ideals. As the world’s superpower, it’s our responsibility to act, even when those acts may not be popular.
When Iraq is disarmed, and the second-guessers start coming and saying that it was unnecessary, etc, etc, I will see a country that acted — before the great war started.
“With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility”.
The problem with using that “great power” is that using it as a giant ballpeen hammer isn’t always the best use. Attempting to crush when that will only garner more terrorist sympathy… that’s just not thinking it through.
> Attempting to crush when that will only garner more terrorist sympathy…
There are two things to say to this argument:
1) History shows this not to be the case. During the 80s, Khadafi in Libya was promoting terrorism all over the world. We bombed them. How much came out of Libya after that? Not a whole lot. Then I could ask, how many Nazis were created when we bombed Germany? Not a whole lot.
2) And even if we did “create more of them”, so what? What’s the alternative, run away, hide, and hope they go away? No — you keep hunting them down. You make sure they have absolutely no safe harbors, like Afghanistan used to.
Let me say one last thing about this. I think it’s intrinsically racist to say that we’ll just create more of “them” by attacking Iraq. That presumes that all Arabs and/or Muslims are just terrorists waiting to happen. Because we put hunt down violent skinheads, does that mean were just breeding more white people to turn into skinheads?
I believe that most Arabs and Muslims are horrified at how their people and religion are corrupted in the name of terrorism (although, the Palastinians challenge me every day on this view). I think that most in their heart of hearts are hoping we take care of business and bring peace to their lands.
I’m not saying we tuck our tail between our legs and run yapping under the couch.
I just happen to think that declaring war on an impoverished country isn’t the most politic, nor is it the most humane or well-thought-through choice ever made.
By bombing people who (largely) support their leader, all we do is piss them off more. This is true of anybody, Muslim or Christian or Hindu. Notice the United States’ retaliation to the WTC attack? Near ruthless bombing of Afghanistan. We were pissed off. We took action.
By using the WTC as an implicit excuse to bomb our “arch-enemy” Saddam Hussein, we are moving towards being as negatively destructive as those we claim to work against. Yes, he’s a badbad man who hurts people, but can we honestly say that the United States has been clean-handed in our foreign dealings?
“I think that most in their heart of hearts are hoping we take care of business and bring peace to their lands.”
The West has had a long, storied history of interfering in Middle Eastern politics, with the Palestinian/Israeli conflict being the most glamorous and publicized. I’d be interested to know whether “most” want our noses back in their business anymore to the extent that we tell them what to do and bomb their neighbor because we don’t agree with him.
Thanks for the nice letter, Wil…and thanks to all who recognize those of us who served and those of us who are currently serving our great country. While each of us may not agree 100% whole-heartedly with another individual…it is because of our nation’s “troops” (family, friends and loved ones all) that we, as Americans, have the freedoms we cherish so. Don’t take ’em for granted…they’re precious.
Thanks again,
Mark
(former USNavy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class)
every year on veterans day i go to the local american legion for their veterans day ceremony…what touches me most about these men who served so long ago is that i can see that they would willingly do it all again if they could…these men served our country well then…and they continue to serve it now as reminders of the human factor in wartime…when you see them up close and personal you get beyond the x’s and o’s of battle planning…and see that real people fight for us in our wars when called by our government…many of these people saw their fellow soldiers fall in combat too bloody for hollywood to portray in a movie…and many of the survivors came back seriously injured in body…and seriously scarred in mind…every year i see fewer and fewer familiar faces at the veterans day ceremony from world war II…and even the korean war…they are all getting older and soon there will be none of them among us…but while they are still here it would be good of us to thank them…and listen to what they have to say of the hell that is war.
Wow… thank you for posting that. Especially now, we need to remember the true cost of Bush’s egomaniacal war.
1) It’s a double-edged fate they they can quote “troops killed” and no one bats an eyelash. I feel we’ve been deconstructed enough from the Vietnam War era not to consider “troops” to be Dad, Brother, Mom, Sister, Cousin, Neighbor. On the other hand, in the era of newfound patriotism, how else to recognize those who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice? They started to read all the names on The Wall a few days ago. All 50,000-some casualties. “Troops”, if you will. Each one with a name adn with family and friends.
2) Back in the (First?) Gulf War, a friend was deployed, and he reported that he was having a hard time finding shampoo. Our little group of friends, along with others in the SF network of friends, sent him *boxes and boxes* of little shampoo bottles. 🙂
When we go over, admitted, thanks to 9/11 the rules will be different, I fully support sending those little “boxes” of home over. Politics or not, we still care for our people.
Nice! Thanks! I’m ex-Air Force (5 years) and was in Germany for 13 years total. Worst part was, I was there for the entire run of ST-TNG and had to wait a whole year to see episodes on AFN TV 😉
Van
Okay, Iraq is an impoverished country. Do you know why? Do you want to know how a country that controls some of the worlds largest oil reserves can be impoverished? It is because that country uses most of its money to fund research and to hire scientists that can arm that country with chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. It uses its money to buy tanks and planes from truly impoverished countries of the former USSR and Eastern Block. It uses its money to help aid organizations that further its goals and attack its enemies. Iraqi people could stand against the Hussein regime, but they chose not to. If they wanted change as much as you think they do, then they would be trying to help the US and the UN oust Hussein. I am sure there are disaffected people in that country. I am sure there are people who want him out. Heck, there are people here who don’t like the government we have and we lack nothing. I don’t see how ousting Hussein can have anything except positve repurcussions on the entire world as we know it. Of course, the Arab countries are going to be pissed. They are benefiting from Hussein. He is aiding their AntiWest organizations. Saudi Arabia, whose ass we have saved consistantly for the last forty or so years, spawned the Taliban and Al Qaeda. These people bombed the USS COLE, the Pentagon and the WTC. They have kidnapped Americans. They have bombed our embassies. They have routinely attacked our soldiers in foriegn ports. Where does anyone get off saying that is all about being pissed over the WTC?! THis is about being pissed off at people who target and kill innocent people. THIS IS ABOUT STANDING UP TO A LITTLE PISSANT BULLY THAT EVERYONE IS TO TOO PUSSY TO DEAL WITH! Who cares if it bothers some people’s pacifist views? No matter what happens they are going to gripe anyway? Why didn’t you do this? Why didn’t you do that? You know what. They have a lot more information than we do. I am sure they will make the decision that needs to be made. Thank you very much.
I will get off of my little soap box now. God bless all vets and active duty. Without them, we wouldn’t have any of the freedoms that we routinely indulge in!! They keep us free to do and say what we feel. Surely even elitist liberals can be thankful for that!
…Angela
Wil, your friend is mistaken in thinking that all ‘civilians’ don’t care about the troops. Anyone with a mind that thinks, knows they are people, just like you and me. They do a job I don’t want to do. But I have never, and WILL NEVER lessen the value of someone else’s life because I don’t know them. I feel upset when I hear of anyone dying, even prisoners on death row – because a part of me cannot bear it. Frankly, I am amazed at the attitude of people who don’t care. How simple it must be for them to not feel at all.
Both W. and his father agonized over the decision each time they sent our troops off to war. They both understood that those are sons/daughters/husbands/wives/mothers/fathers. These decisions aren’t made, as some would think, to satisfy their own ego. They are made because they believe it is the right thing to do to make the world a better place. Now you can disagree with the decision to send troops or not, thats cool. But shame on you for thinking that W. would send American lives into harms way to satisfy his own ego.
Wil,
I know some vets and that was very well written. To me they will never be just numbers.
FG
Finding a way to show your appreciation for the people that put it on the line so we can feel more secure is a very hard thing to do, and I think that was a wonderful way to achieve that.
Thanks Wil.
Yesterday (cause Australia remains a day ahead of the US) was remembrance day in this part of the world.
Please remember everyone, the victims of wars who served on the front lines or on the home front, on all sides of wars past and future. Mums and dads, sons and daughters, from all around the world, who have needlessly suffered because of powerful mens egos.
*speechless*
Beautiful letter.
‘Peers you’re finally learning to swim, Wil. 😉
‘Tis truly pleasing to see your multiple perspectives.
Take care.
-Jet
Wil, thank you for posting your friend’s tribute.
Coming from a family that has served in the military, I appreciate the respect that you’ve shown to our servicemen & servicewomen in your blog today.
To my late grandfather, one of the “Red Arrow Men” who served in WWII, and came home with the firm belief that war films were just another kind of pornography.
To the retired Master Sgt (USMC) who directed the throwing of the birdseed at our wedding: “And you may proceed to fire when your target is in view!”
To the submariner who offered to play pipes as I walked down the aisle.
To the retired Marine captain and her Airborne husband, who continue to honor the spirits of their commission, even though their tours of duty are done.
To the petty officer who takes such glee in helping me plan surprise parties.
To all our veterans who actually spent their blood, sweat, and tears in service, and don’t need to brag about having been in a war. And shame on those of our politicians, of any age, who beat the war drums from behind the safety of their desks.
Cool Wil cool. 🙂 I like what the Canadians call this day “Rememberance Day” And another cool thing is the poem a Canadian soldier wrote.
In Flanders Field
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
I’d like to go on record by saying not only did I not have the day off, but I’ve been preparing for this day for over a week.
Thanks!
In the late middle of WWII, a German officer took his men up into the mountains.
“it’s over”, he told them….
We’re going to lose….
leave your uniforms behind, and try not to get killed…now get out of here…”
Satisified that the young men were well on their way to saving their skins, and running their asses off to the nearest border, he walked back down off the mountain…
right into the american front.
Thats my Opa (grandfather)
February 14th 1945
Dresden was fire bombed.
Those that hang their heads in shame over Hiroshima and Nagasaki and their 120,000 dead, often forget about Dresden….
and it’s 135,000…
but this isn’t about blame, or why’s or whose faults…
its about a woman that happens to be living in a house when a bomb comes straight through her ceiling..
it definitely came as a surprise…
and what’s more…it didn’t explode….
it just stayed their…kind of hanging….
and everytime the bombs went off…it would just sort of shudder…
and who knows?
maybe if the house shakes enough during the next pass of allies…
it will go off…
that night, and the next night, the bombs rained down on Dresden.
and the scary part…
more people died of asphyxiation…
all the oxygen needed to feed a fire the size of an entire city…
well..
it doesn’t leave much left to breathe.
well, this lady manages to live through the 2 worst nights..
and finally during a lull…
her sister and her grab 2 baby carriages, two babies…and all the clothes they can find and leave…
and run.
sometimes sleeping in barns..
sometimes in fields..
the just ran…
they ran right into the russian front…
and just before they were about to get raped by some extreemly over zealous russian soldiers (and lets be fair..russians weren’t exactly keen on germans at this point, after their country had been burnt to cinders by them)
an officer came running up and saved them..
the lady is my Oma (grandmother..as if you didn’t see that coming)
the baby in the carriage is my mom…
German.
which just goes to show..
that all over the world.
regardless of what side you fight for.
regardless of what colour you are.
or what your religion is.
there are ..
in the end..
no good guys
or bad guys..
just us.
sorry for the rant..
but i wanted to write something that meant something..
thanks wil
and just for the record..
i agree with you and your politics 100%….
“It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
“It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
“It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
“It is the soldier, who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.”
–Charles M. Province
Thank you for this. The “military” is our friend next door, our son, our daughter, our father or mother. Up here in Santa Cruz, when people are protesting military involvement, I think they forget that the military is made up of people.
I have a different take on flying the flag. IT’s not about “how patriotic I can be” but the flag is a symbol of the men and women who have been wounded and died fighting under it, regardless of whether it was a just or unjust war. They deserve to be remembered and respected.
Bernie
Artisticspirit— thank you for an inspired poem.
I had the priveiledge of serving with Canandian soldiers during reforger 1984, in bavaria.
I served 9 years and it is nice to feel as though it counts….Thank you
Yes… it’s true, Bush is a jerkass. Don’t you think he looks like a monkey.
That was very well written. I have a few family members that served. Also, My great uncle died in World War II. Thank you for that… It means a lot.
That was beautiful, Wil. Thanks for sharing. My father is in the Royal Australian Navy, so it really hit home.
That you think of things like this is a testament to the caring person you are.
In other news, there’s a TNG marathon on Aussie cable this month. Whoo!
http://www.startledfrog.com/beretwearingelitist/
Just a couple quick comments: the comment she had heard about “I wouldn’t have served in Viet Nam” or whatnot is rather amazing in that it’s a very fascist suggestion and doubtless came from a liberal. The military MUST go where it is sent by the government. They implement policy. They do not set it. They go where the government (which ultimately means us) sends them, and I for one don’t WANT them to say “no” when they’re told where to go. I don’t WANT them setting policy.
And this brings me to my second comment. I don’t want them setting policy because I’m a queer, and to me, the word “troops” pretty much means “armed bigots who would bash my head in with a bat if they had half a chance, and probably get away with it.” That’s a perspective that I don’t think your friend has ever thought of, I’ll bet. If I or a gay man, one of MY comrades in a hostile world, were to enter into *her* world, we could be in as much fear for our lives from those noble “troops” as from the Taleban.
I will not ennoble that, not wholesale like that. Individual people serving, possibly. Depending on their opinions of whether or not I deserve to live. But “troops” as a blanket noun? Never.
And don’t tell me they defend my liberty. Like I said, I or a gay brother might be in just as much danger from one of our “troops” as from any foreign terrorist.
Mr Wheaton,
First off, as a Soldier I thank you for posting such a wonderful write-up that really does describe the situation. As impressed as I was with the post I was equally dissappointed with your decision to take a cheap shot at President Bush. Yes we protect your right to free speech and I respect it. I, however, am now excercising my right to free speach. I felt that you devalued your friends tribute just a bit by taking a holiday of honor and rememberance and using it as a platform to espouse your hate for Mr Bush. Please understand it is not censorship that I am trying to force on you. I am just a bit disturbed and the lack of dignity and respect for Veteran’s Day. This is not a day of political mud slinging. It is a day of rememberance.
Long. But well worth it!
Thank you to all who served and are serving in the United States Military at all levels.
We must not take the security of our country for granted! God Bless!