Is it ok to NOT support the troops?

[Jenbar]

Assuming we are in American, where we have the right to free speech, and thought - if you don't support the war, is it ok to not support the troops as well?

[PDXnative]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

Assuming we are in American, where we have the right to free speech, and thought - if you don't support the war, is it ok to not support the troops as well?

The soldiers are just doing a job. It is the politicians that give them their assignments. If you disagree with the war, it is the politicians that should not be supported. No sense punishing those who are just following orders.

[Jenbar]

But they signed up for the job, knowing that there was a potential for war.

In addition, I assume that many within our military are "Career Officers" in which, they have continued to reenlist - they must believe what they are doing is right.

- Just debating - not sure what I feel on this. I do not support this war.

[Wyody]

Even tho the current bucket of military personnel signed on, I believe it is correct to support their choices and thus, support them.
Sending flowers or letters of well-wishing would be a personal choice.
While I don't really [i]want[i] to support the troops I also realize that in today's economy, many of them chose to go military 'cause it's the only way they could support themselves, their family and their future ... and most that would sign up have not grown old enough yet to feel any differently than their parents feel so, they're not fully responsible for their own choices yet.
God bless us, everyone.
... a vet

[Jenbar]

I also realize that in today's economy, many of them chose to go military 'cause it's the only way they could support themselves, their family and their future

That is a good point.

[Sekretgardengal]

The way they push to enlist on television is terrible. The recruiters are also liars. They told our sons that they would be doing such great things in the Navy. They ended up being janitors on the ship basically.

Here, go and see what my son made in the Navy LOL

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...oID=1801814950

Hope that link works.

[Sekretgardengal]

try this link if the other one didn't work.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...oid=1801814950

[Sekretgardengal]

OK it works!
Enjoy

[Curious George]

Regardless of how or why the person got in the military is unimportant
Once he is in is something different it is his job an duty to fallow orders. an his job is to do what he is told or ordered to do. the whole purpose of the military in to protect America .you may not like or agree with the way the military is used , but his job is to protest you an me with his life if necessary . now can you say you are not great full or at least appreciate some one who will die for you with out even knowing you.

[Sekretgardengal]

I am so proud of my sons for doing what they did. They put themselves in a position that alot of us wouldn't have done.

[Wyoming53]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

But they signed up for the job, knowing that there was a potential for war.

In addition, I assume that many within our military are "Career Officers" in which, they have continued to reenlist - they must believe what they are doing is right.

- Just debating - not sure what I feel on this. I do not support this war.

About 30% or so are career type servicemen and women. Not a real big number.

I do not agree with the war. I do firmly believe that now that we've started, we have to finish.

My son is a Marine in Iraq, my fiance is stationed about 400 miles from him. I support 100% of them and what they do. Like mentioned, they're following orders. They can't do anything but.

[Jenbar]

There have been several soldiers who have decided to stand up and not obey though.

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

There have been several soldiers who have decided to stand up and not obey though.

I see where there was a mistrial in the Watada case.

I'm going to be curious how this one turns out.

--'rocco

[Wyoming53]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

There have been several soldiers who have decided to stand up and not obey though.

You are correct. But you run a very great risk in receiving a BCD or Bad Conduct Discharge (Dishonorable Discharge). Once you are out, you can not work for any company that contracts to the military or Federal Government. Even McDonalds is on the base and has contracts. BurgerKing, Pizza Hut, Home Depot, Sears, I could go on and on. You might hire on to one of these, but if you are ever discovered, that company stands a chance of loosing all GOV contracts.

That's a pretty big price to pay. My thought is, if you join the military, how can you later say, "Well, I didn't know we were going to go to war" and decide you don't like it anymore?

My 18 years, I saw 2 people do that.

[Wyody]

Originally Posted by Sekretgardengal

I am so proud of my sons for doing what they did. They put themselves in a position that alot of us wouldn't have done.

I counselled my son for many years about not ever enlisiting as you can never know what they'll tell you to do - and then, it's "do it or suffer the consequences".
More power to the ones who know what they're getting into and still do it.
The unforeseen problem is always over just who is going to change the world and put our people in peril .. or, in this case, which idiot will change the world.
Personally, as an anti-warrior and former warrior ... and current peacenik ... I would much rather Bush would've made the horrible mistake of nuking that desert off the face of the Earth than having made the horrible mistake of putting us into a war that should not have been ... and getting our kids killed!

[RAINBOWWAVES]

Originally Posted by Wyody

I counselled my son for many years about not ever enlisiting as you can never know what they'll tell you to do - and then, it's "do it or suffer the consequences".
More power to the ones who know what they're getting into and still do it.
The unforeseen problem is always over just who is going to change the world and put our people in peril .. or, in this case, which idiot will change the world.
Personally, as an anti-warrior and former warrior ... and current peacenik ... I would much rather Bush would've made the horrible mistake of nuking that desert off the face of the Earth than having made the horrible mistake of putting us into a war that should not have been ... and getting our kids killed!

I agree...we too were not willing to let our son fight in a war that was about teaching others how to defend themselves. We were not going to lose our son to gain power over oil...He has no desire to be a soldier...has no desire to kill ppl that did not attack us.

[RAINBOWWAVES]

Originally Posted by Sekretgardengal

The way they push to enlist on television is terrible. The recruiters are also liars. They told our sons that they would be doing such great things in the Navy. They ended up being janitors on the ship basically.

Here, go and see what my son made in the Navy LOL

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...oID=1801814950

Hope that link works.

My sons friend was badgered by his stepfather to step up to the plate and become a real man and go fight for our country...he is now dead and the parents are divorced and the mother tried to kill her husband.

[milliebfit]

They are the bravest and brightest, they would die to protect us..yes they need to be supported.....I would be so proud if my son was an American Soldier. To all our vets past and present......THANK YOU
By the way I am not crazy about this war!!

[Jenbar]

I hope my children do not go into the military - and would discourage them from doing so. Further, I would be disappointed if they did anyway.

BTW, my father was a vet (He's even buried at Arlington National Cemetary) and I have lived a military childhood.

[Wyoming53]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

I hope my children do not go into the military - and would discourage them from doing so. Further, I would be disappointed if they did anyway.

BTW, my father was a vet (He's even buried at Arlington National Cemetary) and I have lived a military childhood.

If your father was buried in Arlington, he was very special indeed. There are very strict guidlines on getting into Arlington.

[RodFarlee]

The risk and sacrifice our service men and women have all volunteered to accept in defending our country deserves our highest respect.

If that sacrifice is misused by our Commander in Chief, if our troops are put in harm's way in the wrong place in the wrong way for the wrong reason, we the voters have fix the blame for that firmly where it belongs: on ourselves and on our politicians. To honor their sacrifice.

The count as of today: 3115 dead, 47,657 casualties, in our services in Iraq.

[Wyody]

Originally Posted by RodFarlee

The risk and sacrifice our service men and women have all volunteered to accept in defending our country deserves our highest respect.

If that sacrifice is misused by our Commander in Chief, if our troops are put in harm's way in the wrong place in the wrong way for the wrong reason, we the voters have fix the blame for that firmly where it belongs: on ourselves and on our politicians. To honor their sacrifice.

The count as of today: 3115 dead, 47,657 casualties, in our services in Iraq.

One of my biggest fears is that, once we have evolved beyond war and maybe beyond politics then, we'll be absolutely no fun at all!!!

[Wyody]

Originally Posted by Sekretgardengal

try this link if the other one didn't work.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...oid=1801814950

Now that is a priceless work-of-art!!

[Jenbar]

If your father was buried in Arlington, he was very special indeed. There are very strict guidlines on getting into Arlington.

I was only 15 when he died - so I would have to ask my mom. However, I think he just had to have achieved a certain level of rank. Since we lived in the area at the time, I want to say that it was the only Military Cemetary - but I could be wrong on that. It was quite some time ago.

[Wyoming53]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

I was only 15 when he died - so I would have to ask my mom. However, I think he just had to have achieved a certain level of rank. Since we lived in the area at the time, I want to say that it was the only Military Cemetary - but I could be wrong on that. It was quite some time ago.

I can't give a specific date, but at one time the cemetary was filling too fast. So they stopped the influx and layed down guide lines. I can't even remember what the guide lines were, but it didn't deal with rank, it dealt with Awards and Medals. You had to have a particular medal or one higher. I'll have to do a little research and see what it is.

[Wyoming53]

There are other qualifications but here's the meat of getting into Arlington.

Any former member of the Armed Forces who has been awarded one of the following decorations:

Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross (Navy Cross or Air Force Cross)
Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Purple Heart

The President of the United States or any former President of the United States.

Any former member of the Armed Forces who served on active duty (other than for training) and who held any of the following positions:

An elective office of the U.S. Government
Office of the Chief Justice of the United States or of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
An office listed, at the time the person held the position, in 5 USC 5312 or 5313 (Levels I and II of the Executive Schedule).
The chief of a mission who was at any time during his/her tenure classified in Class I under the provisions of Section 411, Act of 13 August 1946, 60 Stat. 1002, as amended (22 USC 866) or as listed in State Department memorandum dated March 21, 1988.

Any former prisoner of war who, while a prisoner of war, served honorably in the active military, naval, or air service, whose last period of military, naval or air service terminated honorably and who died on or after November 30, 1993.

[Jenbar]

He died in 1991. Maybe it was '90 actually.

I am seeing my mom for shopping this afternoon, so I will ask her what qualifed him to be buried there. *somewhere* I have pictures of the service and me, at 15, at his headstone... so if it's a matter of proving it to you, I can.

[Wyoming53]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

He died in 1991. Maybe it was '90 actually.

I am seeing my mom for shopping this afternoon, so I will ask her what qualifed him to be buried there. *somewhere* I have pictures of the service and me, at 15, at his headstone... so if it's a matter of proving it to you, I can.

You don't have to prove anything, I fully believe you and I applaud your father for being able to be in Arlington.

[Sekretgardengal]

Originally Posted by Wyody

Now that is a priceless work-of-art!!

LOL He is one funny kid.