Be sure to thank someone in the military for their service.

Hello Mooch.

I agree with everything you just wrote.  Many of us may disagree with going to war, but none of us ever place the blame upon those heroes who took the pledge and stood up to their words.

They should be commended and supported by all Americans.  Hopefully we will soon find a way to get them out of harms way and bring them home safely.

For those suffering physical or mental injuries, I hope we welcome them home with open arms and provide them with the help they need regardless of cost.

They've done their part.  It's time for us to do our part.

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Lloyd

Thank you so much for your kind words, I agree, I don't like war, but sometimes its necessary, but this war both in Iraq and Afghanistan has run its course.

We need to get these men and women home, and welcome them with open arms.

Mooch

Great post, Mooch!

that is nice for you to write this post my daugther's boyfriend is in the Air Force he just left last Tuesday and I didnt thank him but I will next time I write him

My 8 yr old son and I were at a concert here in Des Moines (The Mormon Tabernacle Choir)...they did a special salute to all the military men and women...a man sitting directly in front of us (looked to be in his 80's or older), stood as they called for all military to stand, both veterans and active duty, he was wabbling, and had to get help standing, while the choir sang the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" in their honor...after the concert was over, and the lights came one, and we were getting up to leave, my son reached out and shook this older gentleman's hand and said "Thank you for serving our country"...He replied, "It was my priviledge to do it, son"...I was so proud of my little man.

I have mixed feelings about the Military, and those in service.

On the one hand, you're absolutely right!!!!!!!!!! They totally and completely deserve our thanks, because whether we believe or don't believe in their reasons for being over there, they put themselves on the line.

On the other hand, thank my husband for what he did in Viet Nam, and he'll just say "they drafted me, it was an illegal war, and I really didn't want to be there!"

But on the other hand again, those people, whether they wanted to be there or not, whether they fought for something they believed in or not, whether they were drafted or enlisted, they were still there, and came back different people.

So i totally agree with you about giving thanks, respect, appreciation. I think what you did was an absolutely wonderful thing, and I'm sure he appreciated it. Thanks for sharing your story.

'The military' is a large and diverse group.  A friend's daughter joined the Army to piss off her parents who were trying to get her to go to college.  She got in trouble in boot camp for changing test results in the office computer.  She was reprimanded, but not kicked out since they desperately need people and will take even ex-felons at this point.  She was eventually shipped to Iraq and works in some kind of commisary facility.  I don't think I'll thank her for her 'bravery', nor for her 'sacrifice'. 

There were many men in my family who fought in WWII - enlisted themselves.  Since the Vietnam War, the US seems to have made a business out of war.  The recent revelation of the meetings between Bush and Blair, trying to come up with enough stuff to attack Iraq shows just how much of a business and how dirty this whole business of continuous war really is.  Based on that knowledge, I don't find much to respect in people who volunteer to fight for these war-mongers.  I've seen too many interviews with soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who are bitter and disillusioned and broken - who have seen the 'man behind the curtain' and what a travesty this entire 'Freedom Franchise' really is.  There is no glory or dignity to be had by volunteering to fight for the US War Corporation.  Maybe in the past, but not in recent years. 

Yeah - today we fight for international corporations, not ourselves.  If that's your bag ... whatever.  I think it's a sham.

With that said, the Bush wars left power vacuums that we can't just leave behind as if we have no responsibility.  Making a bad situation worse is no way to go.

It's a mess.

Who wants to dwell on messes.

Yuck !!!

Personally, I'm glad to live in the United States. And however we got here, I'm thankful.

Each person contributes in his own way... some in the military, some in the arts.

If you haven't contributed, start this afternoon. Plant a flower, help a neighbor, post a good article on Gather.

With all the anti-this and pro-that comments (most filled with hate and negativity) that are on Gather I think this is one of the best I've read all day. Don't let what other people say change you one bit. I would really like to see more such words of goodness on a lot of the posts.

I'm glad I live in the USA too but I will not support just to support. My father is a retired Navy man. My brother served in the Army. I respect soldiers as people but not as soldiers. Especially not now. They have been lied to and brain washed into thinking this was in Iraq is glorified and good. It is not.

Being here and fighting foe our united states is different than attacking a country. I can certainly understand being in Afghanistan IF we really were looking for Bin Laden but I have deep issues with what we did to Iraq and its people. No, we did not go there with good intentions.

Shirley Ann, your thoughts are appreciated.