Trashing the Troops

[DaveE]

Originally posted by fintstone
If you trash the higher-ups in the military....you are still "trashing the troops."

fint, I should have been more specific. The left was looking at whether torture policies came from the Administration I believe. The Administration found some scapegoats in the mid-upper level of the military plus the actual guards. I leave it to your own good conscience to determine who was trashing who in that instance.

[JamesHamm]

This seems like a hot one. I'm in Iraq right now on my fourth tour (DS/DS) / Prov. Comfort / OIF I / OIF III and our climate and culture inside the Army are not known today like it seemed to be 40 to 50 years ago. The types of Soldiers who enlist are different, their goals are different and they are simply a reflection of our society. Most of us in the Army / military don't really care about what is on TV and who says what. It really seems to matter to those who are not in the military or have never served. I can say that I have recieved more support from the American public during this conflict than any of the 5 others I have been involved with. If I email someone for help it gets done and its almost always free. I have had 29 different U.S. based companies help me with things from maintenance, to supply, to engineering and troubleshooting. None of these people were obligated and all of them have helped. Personally, I believe the majority of good Americans doesn't care about what the media says or reports. They are old enough and smart enough to make up their own damn minds. The best thing in the world that we can do is pass ton he story of the Soldier / Marine / Airman / Sailor that we know. Telling the story from a personal point of view is alwasy a positve way to impact the perception of the American Military to the American Public. I am just a company First Sergeant and I have 300 Soldiers here with me. None of us are heros and none of us are trying to be one. I can tell you that after two return trips from Iraq, the public support everywhere I go is tremendous and often overwhelming. I didn't pay for anything on the return trip home to Miami. At every stop a complete stranger did something incredibly kind for me and the Soldiers I was traveling with. People came out of the woodworks to shake my hand, say thank you, and let me know that me and my guys and girls are appreciated. If that is public bashing, then all I can say is keep up the good work. We all appreciate it.

[fintstone]

I agree Top. The American people support the troops and the war far more than the press would have one believe. Nonetheless, it would be nice to see a bit more honest reporting.

[JamesHamm]

I don't know about how many people REALLY support why we are here. What I can honestly say that I have and most of my Soldiers have experienced is this: Americans have been able to seperate their feelings for the war itself from how they feel about their Soldiers / Marines / Airman / and Sailors. Vietmam Vets were treated so badly for years and many Americans never gave them the respect that they earned regardless of why they were TOLD to go to Vietnam and WHAT they were TOLD to do while they were there. If anyone deserves respect and admiration it is them. Trust me. It sucks here but I would have had second thoughts about many of the missions those guys had to do and I'll never compare myself to them. They are better and stronger than I'll ever be. Desert Shield and Desert Storm changed a lot about the way Americans feel about us and after 9/11 it has pretty much been here to stay. I can count the number of people who have had something bad to say on exactly ..... no I can't. Nobody I have ever had direct contact with has ever said anything against me and my service to country. That is why I have stayed in so long. All of you make it worthwhile (in addition to the pay raises Pres. Bush has given me).

James...

[Flatbutt1]

Well done TOP! And well said. I may not know how to recognize or acknowledge a hero but I do know how to be grateful. It may seem trivial but anytime a service man/woman walks into a cafe or restaurant that I'm in, their meal is on me, no exceptions. If you and tops911 are ever in my neighborhood the steaks and beer are on me!

come home safely TOP.

[JamesHamm]

If your anywhere near East Orange or Trenton, I'll take you up on that offer for a Pizza Pie or a good Jewish deli sandwich. Man do I have taste for either one of those.

James...