Letter to the editor (Oregonian): A Veteran Asks: Thanks for What?

http://blog.oregonlive.com/myoregon/2010/03/letter_a_veteran_asks_thanks_f.html

 

When I say "thank you" it's because it's them and not me. I'm glad I haven't had to sacrifice my life or my family's well being for me to fight in a war I don't believe in.

 

Nobody has to fight in a war.

It's a personal choice, and they do it for themselves, for money, for thrills, for lack of having a life... certainly not for me.

My thanks go to dedicated peacebrokers like President Jimmy Carter, Mohammed Ali, and the hundreds of millions of courageous protesters worldwide who dare to stand up to the military-industrial complex.

 

Therefore, the people who died so you can freely spew your communistic rhetoric can just go to hell, eh?

You have a funny way of showing your gratitude.

 

did you read that article?

 

You have a funny idea of what Communism is.

As for gratitude, I'd be grateful if the military would stop mis-representing my views on the world stage. I don't support Israel, or any other country for that matter. I didn't support the invasions of Vietnam, Granada, Beirut, Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iraq again, Iran soon...

I can freely spew all the rhetoric I want, with or without people killing complete strangers in faraway underdeveloped lands and creating enemies I've never met and have nothing against.

Always have, always will. It's what I do. I don't owe it to anyone, and no foreign country has ever threatened to impede me in any way.

The ONLY threat to my freedom of speech during my lifetime has come from my own government, and it increases during wartime, so actually anyone supporting war is threatening my freedom of speech rather than defending it.

 

I agree for the most part here, not sure about that last bit, BUT other posters take note, he said HIS lifetime, which does not include WWII which is probably the last justified war.

 

Honestly never know how to treat vets... and I am one. I think he has some valid points... especially on the toll it is taking and how maybe we are just concerned with body count and not the real cost of what we are doing (I won't even touch on the why)

 

war is a disgusting thing and should be avoided at all costs.

 

You're the only one in the thread who has argued with the sentiments in the article. Why don't you argue with the article, instead of with those agreeing with it.

I never say thank you for your service. I drop that pretense. I just argue with specific wars or military actions.

 

You know, not every veteran served in Vietnam or Iraq. How about all the men who fought during WWII? Was that cause just enough for you? Saving countless jews and others from the tyranny of the Japanese and Germans? Or were they war mongers too? I thank servicemen and women because they choose to take a job that many others would not. They choose to protect our country and the principles we believe in. Are they always used for good? No. That's not their fault. Sure, as Maris said, not all of them join with the best intentions either. That doesn't mean we should throw them all in the same group.

Sorry, but we owe a great deal to the men and women who have fought over the course of this countries history. I hear that the author is saying, but it's the uniform that many people thank, not the person wearing it.

 

I'm a VFW and I disagree with his statements.

 

I loved my time in the military. They took care of me and I had a rewarding job. One of my duties was typhoon preparedness in outer Marianas islands. When I traveled there the people were incredibly friendly and remembered how we had saved them from the sadistic abuse of the Japs in WWII. And there we were, still trying to save lives.

To be sure, the military isn't perfect, like liberals see themselves. But overall, those in the military do a damn fine job and I was proud to be one of them- regardless of what the socialists here think of us and just want to crap all over us. I have no shame in the job I did.

 

I worked at the VA for a short time and it appeared WWII and up until recent history had some pretty decent benefits. I am not saying they shouldn't... just that Iraq/Afghan vets didn't have the same.

People... remember he is not saying you shouldn't thank him... he is just expressing that it brings up different emotions in him and it has nothing to do with your intentions. We certainly seem to have a much deeper appreciation for vets than say after vietnam or korea... but at the same time... I think they have less benefits. But at the same time you can see he feels it is a bit hypocritical to say thanks as you watch vets walk off a cliff even after they are back.

Anyway... I don't agree with all he says and it is fragmented but I do understand the feeling. I understand the frustation... the guilt... hell... military life even in peace time can destroy a family... trying to readjust after being gone for extended periods is hard enough by itself... imagine coming back right now... getting out of the military and trying to find a job with all the physical and emotional scars... and then of course the economy.

 

Good thoughts. There are people who can't handle the job. Also, military life places a lot of stress on families. It certainly isn't for everyone, but for those who do like serving their country it can be a very rewarding career.

 

Do you f'ing read our posts? Did you read the article and notice which wars he listed and which he did not? JESUS CHRIST!

 

And I'm simply saying that people support the uniform because of the deeds of past generations. Not always because of what the current military is doing. Or did you not read MY post? Why don't you over-react just a bit more so you can pull a BenDavis. That would just make my day.

 

I don't confuse the policies our government tells the troops to follow; I thank them because they follow them without hesitation. Anyone who volunteers to serve their country and does so honorably is deserving of my respect and my gratitude.

 

It really doesn't matter what they are following without hesitation? Killing innocent women and children, for example?