Last November, shortly before the elections, I happened to be with a military intelligence officer on leave from duty in Afghanistan. A nice older gentleman walked up to him, extended his hand, and thanked him for his service. He politely thanked the old gent but added something along the lines of, "If you really want to thank me...don't re-elect the people who sent us into battle without doing their homework, then failed to support us in meaningful ways."
Anybody can say thank you and make pretty flash demos. What these great men and women really need are bulletproof vests on the front and leaders back home who will think long and hard before sending our best and bravest to battle without doing their homework first.
It would be nice to have everything you need when you need it, but sometimes you go to war with the stuff you have and not with the stuff you want.
Have you educated yourself with the problems the priviate sector is having with ppg such as body armor/ vests? Lots of people and companies being suied!
And you are right, anybody can say thank you. When was the last time you did?
Mike D
I hate violence! I hate it so much I am willing to kill anyone who tries to use it against me. -- Mike Waidelich
These brave men and women also need the public, the press, and partisan politicians to support them by not undermining them and Not undermining this country during a time of war.
Many of my friends from Fort bliss come back telling a different story from the one you see and hear in the news.
Thank a soldier anytime you can, they don't pick the battles. They just go and fight them because it's their job, and that's what they've chosen to do.
"Quickly, Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my brain and say something clever!"
--Aristophanes
Posts: 903 | Location: El Paso, TX | Registered: April 08, 2006
Originally posted by CECtech: These brave men and women also need the public, the press, and partisan politicians to support them by not undermining them and Not undermining this country during a time of war.
Critcizing the administration is not the same as not supporting the troops.
quote:
Thank a soldier anytime you can, they don't pick the battles. They just go and fight them because it's their job, and that's what they've chosen to do.
Bingo.
"Don't like it too much, they're more expensive than drugs."
Posts: 520 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: September 19, 2004
Originally posted by mikeyd501: It would be nice to have everything you need when you need it, but sometimes you go to war with the stuff you have and not with the stuff you want.
You don't want body and vehicle armor, this qualifies as a necessity.
quote:
And you are right, anybody can say thank you. When was the last time you did?
I thanked a couple of local servicemen by chipping in $350 towards body armor for a unit of national guardsmen who they were serving with who were without.
"Don't like it too much, they're more expensive than drugs."
Posts: 520 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: September 19, 2004
Thank a soldier anytime you can, they don't pick the battles. They just go and fight them because it's their job, and that's what they've chosen to do.
I agree with CECteck. My self being a life member of the DAV (And proud of it,and the rest of the men and women out there still fighting) All I ever asked was that if they where going to poot me in harms way,may it be for the RIGHT reasons. And I'm quite shure they feal the same way.
quote:
And you are right, anybody can say thank you. When was the last time you did?
Every chance I get. It is the least I can do.
Don't like it YOU GO OUT SIDE!
Posts: 259 | Location: in the house enjoying a smoke | Registered: July 26, 2006
Originally posted by Chicago: First off, a great find Mike.
quote:
Originally posted by CECtech: These brave men and women also need the public, the press, and partisan politicians to support them by not undermining them and Not undermining this country during a time of war.
Critcizing the administration is not the same as not supporting the troops.
quote:
Thank a soldier anytime you can, they don't pick the battles. They just go and fight them because it's their job, and that's what they've chosen to do.
Bingo.
You say critcizing the Administion is not the same as not supporting the troops? Then what the hell is it? I can not speak for the troops in Iraq, but I can speak for myself. As a Vietnan Vet I just couldn't understand the krap that was going on back here. McGovern was going to go to "peace talks" on his knees? Celebrities having their pictures taken while sitting on a North VN AAA gun? If you ever get a chance to read Gap (North VN army Gen.) please do so. He talks about their biggest allies; the American college students,the American politicians who were nonstop critcizing the Presdent & Administion, and the American press. He admits that they were beaten (and wanted to quite),but the news, coming from America, gave them the will to hang on. It worked they won, we lost, the rest is history.
Bones (Call sign: Yoda!)
Rules of Life:
1. If you bitch, some politcian will hear you, and God help the rest of us..
2. When the going gets tough, the tough get off the "pity pot"..
3. The most expensive meal I ever ate, was called a "FREE LUNCH!"
4. Never suck your thumb. ( W. Buffett) If you need some time, to think, suck on a good cigar, if you need more time, get your pipe out... (Bones)
Posts: 423 | Location: Back in Califorina, and completely retired after a year in Iraq | Registered: March 26, 2006
Originally posted by Chicago: [QUOTE]Originally posted by mikeyd501: It would be nice to have everything you need when you need it, but sometimes you go to war with the stuff you have and not with the stuff you want.
quote:
You don't want body and vehicle armor, this qualifies as a necessity.
Never said that.
Do some research on the current situation of the manufactures of body armor. You will be shocked!
Mike D
I hate violence! I hate it so much I am willing to kill anyone who tries to use it against me. -- Mike Waidelich
Originally posted by Bones: You say critcizing the Administion is not the same as not supporting the troops? Then what the hell is it?
It is criticizing the administration. I'm not sure how to spell it out any clearer. I can rail on those in office all day and then go and donate money to the troops, thank servicemen home from Iraq or just heading off to it, and you know what, there is no conflict of interest. Every day I hope that no US troops are harmed in any fashion. Every day I thank these brave men and women for putting their lives on the line defending me and my country. And every day I curse the bumbling morons who couldn't manage to give them everything they needed to get the job done.
quote:
I can not speak for the troops in Iraq, but I can speak for myself. As a Vietnan Vet I just couldn't understand the krap that was going on back here. McGovern was going to go to "peace talks" on his knees? Celebrities having their pictures taken while sitting on a North VN AAA gun? If you ever get a chance to read Gap (North VN army Gen.) please do so. He talks about their biggest allies; the American college students,the American politicians who were nonstop critcizing the Presdent & Administion, and the American press. He admits that they were beaten (and wanted to quite),but the news, coming from America, gave them the will to hang on. It worked they won, we lost, the rest is history.
First, let me thank you for serving your country. Now let me say that there was some pretty despicable things being said about our GIs and the administration during that era. The big difference between then and now is that people are not cursing the soldiers, calling them "baby killers," or spitting on them when they return. I have yet to hear any stories about anyone (who isn't bat**** crazy) demeaning the soldiers fighting in Iraq or lessening their sacrifices. I could tell you that I've had the pleasure of talking with two guys I knew in high school who served (one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan), and are likely returning sometime soon. One is conservative, one is liberal. Neither saw the people protesting the war and the administration as an assault on them. Now I admit that not all soldiers feel this way, and that is sad, because the American people support the men and women overseas. Some ask that they return home for their safety as their way of supporting them, and while I don't agree with it, it is not malicious in nature. The fight has to continue and most soliders know this, but most soliders should know that the American people are behind THEM, if not the fools at the top of the command chain.
"Don't like it too much, they're more expensive than drugs."
Posts: 520 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: September 19, 2004
Originally posted by mikeyd501: Do some research on the current situation of the manufactures of body armor. You will be shocked!
I won't be shocked, because I read it three years ago. I'm sorry, but if you can't give these valiant men and women the necessary tools to fight, then maybe it's time to think of a better strategy. I never did, and never will, buy Rumsfeld's bogus statement.
"Don't like it too much, they're more expensive than drugs."
Posts: 520 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: September 19, 2004
Originally posted by Bones: You say critcizing the Administion is not the same as not supporting the troops? Then what the hell is it?
It is criticizing the administration. I'm not sure how to spell it out any clearer. I can rail on those in office all day and then go and donate money to the troops, thank servicemen home from Iraq or just heading off to it, and you know what, there is no conflict of interest. Every day I hope that no US troops are harmed in any fashion. Every day I thank these brave men and women for putting their lives on the line defending me and my country. And every day I curse the bumbling morons who couldn't manage to give them everything they needed to get the job done.
quote:
I can not speak for the troops in Iraq, but I can speak for myself. As a Vietnan Vet I just couldn't understand the krap that was going on back here. McGovern was going to go to "peace talks" on his knees? Celebrities having their pictures taken while sitting on a North VN AAA gun? If you ever get a chance to read Gap (North VN army Gen.) please do so. He talks about their biggest allies; the American college students,the American politicians who were nonstop critcizing the Presdent & Administion, and the American press. He admits that they were beaten (and wanted to quite),but the news, coming from America, gave them the will to hang on. It worked, they won, we lost, the rest is history.
First, let me thank you for serving your country. Now let me say that there was some pretty despicable things being said about our GIs and the administration during that era. The big difference between then and now is that people are not cursing the soldiers, calling them "baby killers," or spitting on them when they return. I have yet to hear any stories about anyone (who isn't bat**** crazy) demeaning the soldiers fighting in Iraq or lessening their sacrifices. I could tell you that I've had the pleasure of talking with two guys I knew in high school who served (one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan), and are likely returning sometime soon. One is conservative, one is liberal. Neither saw the people protesting the war and the administration as an assault on them. Now I admit that not all soldiers feel this way, and that is sad, because the American people support the men and women overseas. Some ask that they return home for their safety as their way of supporting them, and while I don't agree with it, it is not malicious in nature. The fight has to continue and most soliders know this, but most soliders should know that the American people are behind THEM, if not the fools at the top of the command chain.
Sorry I guess I wasted your time. My point was that the nonstop critcizing, is heard by the Enemy and gives them encouragement, to not only keep fighting, but to turn up the intensity of their actions. If one beheading gets a headline, what would 2 beheadings get? Larry King? Letterman? Why do you think Iran is acting like it is? Yet frankly, I didn't give a KRAP, about the antiwar movement, while I was in VietNan, I did my job the best I could.
Its one thing for the enemy to think something, but US to tell them that they are right is abomination. These leaks, these petty politics are helping the terrorists.
By the way, You don't need to "thank you for your service" it was my honor, and privlege (some might call it, DUTY) to serve.
Bones (Call sign: Yoda!)
Rules of Life:
1. If you bitch, some politcian will hear you, and God help the rest of us..
2. When the going gets tough, the tough get off the "pity pot"..
3. The most expensive meal I ever ate, was called a "FREE LUNCH!"
4. Never suck your thumb. ( W. Buffett) If you need some time, to think, suck on a good cigar, if you need more time, get your pipe out... (Bones)
Posts: 423 | Location: Back in Califorina, and completely retired after a year in Iraq | Registered: March 26, 2006
Originally posted by Bones: You say critcizing the Administion is not the same as not supporting the troops? Then what the hell is it? I can not speak for the troops in Iraq, but I can speak for myself. As a Vietnan Vet I just couldn't understand the krap that was going on back here.
I don't see the connection, Iraq and Vietnam are two different situations. Troops returning home from Vietnam were being criticized (villifed, actually) for doing their sworn duty, as if they had a choice and should have refused to fight as a form of protest. NOBODY I've ever heard has criticed our rank-and-file soldiers in Iraq -- in fact, I think America has been amazing about supporting our troops because we understand they're fighting an unpopular war that they were dragged into on the behest of our so-called leaders.
I'll continue screming bloody murder about the Bush administration because it's the right thing to do for our troops. Sorry, I think they'd have been better supported by an actual war veteran who'd seen combat
Originally posted by mikeyd501: It would be nice to have everything you need when you need it, but sometimes you go to war with the stuff you have and not with the stuff you want.
Body armor is not a "want" -- unless the administration sees our troops as cannon fodder and not professional soldiers who happen to also be human beings. I think this is the most telling aspect of the whole debacle...someone in Washington basically said to themselves that a bunch of brave soldiers should be sent to their deaths to save a few bucks. What a disgusting show of disrespect.
Originally posted by Bones: My point was that the nonstop critcizing, is heard by the Enemy and gives them encouragement, to not only keep fighting, but to turn up the intensity of their actions.
The enemy is going to interpret our actions and words as they see fit, just as they've done with the Koran. If they didn't use Americans exercising their freedom as encouragement, they'd find another form. I agree, however, that we're in this war till the end. There is no picking up our ball and bat and going home. And calling for timetables does encourage the enemy to hang on just a little longer in hopes they can outlast us. I don't believe that criticizing the handling of the war acts in the same fashion, although it can be twisted to, but then again, so can anything.
quote:
Why do you think Iran is acting like it is?
No doubt, they're just a toddler screaming for attention, but their screaming is still news. Unless you change the fundamental way the media has operated since the advent of the concept, then attention grabbers will always be able to use it as a tool. The only way to change would be to censor or control the media, and that isn't a freedom I'm willing to see dispersed.
quote:
Its one thing for the enemy to think something, but US to tell them that they are right is abomination.
I'm not sure I've seen much of this.
"Don't like it too much, they're more expensive than drugs."
Posts: 520 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: September 19, 2004
BURN! 
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