I am sick of all “support the troops” rhetoric. Support them, don’t support them.. I don’t give a crap… just don’t spit on them.
The “they don’t support the troops” argument is for the weak who have nothing else bad worth saying about their target. Most of the population doesn’t even know what the hell they are supposed to be supporting or how. When I was floating around underwater for months on end I certainly didn’t give a crap who flew a flag or who displayed a logo. Those types of actions are meaningless symbolic masturbatory gestures that do nothing for real troops.
I agree the hard working men and women who support our country deserve respect. The support the troops movement stems from the despicable treatment of our Vietnam veterans. Being spat on, having feces thrown on you, or more recently protesting soldiers funerals are disgusting personal attacks on people. That behavior is wrong and should be illegal.
Not flying a flag, saying that national anthem, or celebrating Memorial Day is freedom of speech. As someone who spent ten years in the military please… feel free to not support us vets, thats the one of the freedoms we served to protect . Just don’t attack us.
Want to support he troops?
The do something that makes a difference. Go give some blood, send a card to a deployed soldier, send a care package, or just donate cash to the USO those things make troops feel supported.
Bickering over why Google didn’t show a Memorial Day logo… not so much.
Extra Tips on supporting troops:
Ever see those young guys at the airports in uniform with no rank on their sleeves? Buy them a beer or food or just say thanks in person. They are new, young, away from home, and usually responsible for the worst jobs. They are the guys who need it most.
Know someone in your area who has a spouse deployed? Go out of your way to help them out. Mow their lawn… help fix their car… whatever.. their spouse is gone, their might be raising kids alone, and its likely they have no family in the area. They need all the help they can get.. and bonus it helps their spouse whos deployed relax knowing someone is looking out for their wife or husband.
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While I understand your sentiment we can’t continue on our current course blindly supporting those carrying out war crimes. By protesting the soldiers we bring attention to the war… is it unfortunate for the soldiers? Sure, but its also what they signed up for when they joined an organization dedicated to killing. You can’t just sign up with the military and expect to be absolved of all the crimes you committed killing and oppressing people in a foreign land.
So I say screw the troops feelings, continue to protest in any way nessecary to bring attention to the issue, and bring an end to this pointless and stupid war.