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| Posted by: katietx
- [201411622] Mon, May 26, 2008, 14:57
Politics aside
Living in San Antonio and having access to all 3 bases here, BAMC (Brook Army Medical Center) is where the most severly injured troops come to, and is where my significant other had his back rebuilt. The ortho and burn units are on the same floor and after spending 7 days - 12 hours a day there, I can tell you that I did not meet one single troup who didn't want to go back to either Afghanistan or Iraq - regardless of their injuries.
The quality, bravery and heart of these men and women is amazing. In fact, one day I sorta had a "melt-down" in the outside hallway - my guy was having a particularly hard day and it just hurt to see him in so much pain. A young man who had burns almost all over his body and was missing one arm actually came up to comfort ME!
Whether we agree or disagree with the war - we cannot EVER forget the sacrifice these men and women are willing to give. So the next time you see a troup - please take the time to thank him or her for their service to our country and to US!
So to any current or former military on the boards (and I know there are a few), I say thank you for serving and for any sacrifices you made.
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| | | 1 | katietx
ID: 201411622
Tue, May 27, 2008, 14:53
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Somewhat amazed that no comments here. Cliff & Jim - you two really surprised me.
The rest? Well, I guess I wasn't controversial enough.
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| | | 2 | sarge33rd
ID: 99331714
Tue, May 27, 2008, 15:10
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Sorry...missed this and didnt see it yesterday.
One need not support "the war", to support the troops. I think it safe to say that all here know full well, the troops will ALWAYS have my total support. W/O hesitation and W/O reservation.
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| | | 3 | Seattle Zen
ID: 49112418
Tue, May 27, 2008, 17:35
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Somewhat amazed that no comments here.
Why? This war has lasted longer than our involvement in World War II and the war machine will do everything in its power to impugn the character of anyone suggesting that we think about ending it. People are inured to the death toll, the "feel-good" stories and the horror stories. Five long, wasted years, thousands of wasted lives.
I know people who have served time in Iraq. I hope that they don't get killed, but I also don't "thank" them because I don't think they are "serving" our country. The whole debacle is disgusting.
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| | | 4 | biliruben
ID: 33258140
Tue, May 27, 2008, 17:35
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No doubt, Katie. I don't really have much more to add.
This war's sacrifices falls disproportionately on the few, and though my Dad was a AF pilot and my Granddad served in Europe in WW2, I don't have many active military among my current circle of friends and relatives. A couple of friends over in Iraq teaching fingerprinting and an uncle who's a colonel in the Marines who has so far avoided active duty.
I have been relatively unaffected by this war, but we should all try hard not to forget that we are the lucky ones, and there are plenty not so fortunate.
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| | | 5 | Tree
ID: 3533298
Thu, May 29, 2008, 09:19
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i spent the holiday weekend with a gorgeous woman who happened to have served in Iraq and a whole mess of other godforsaken places during her 8 years in.
i did my part. :o)
on a more serious note, she told me she's attended 78 funerals of friends of hers who died in the war. that was shocking. she's working toward her master's, and eventually her doctorate, in clinical psych, concentrated on PTSD.
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SZ - while i agree with your comments regarding the war, i don't think they apply to the soldiers serving in it. a lot of them signed up to get money for college. others, because they didn't feel that had much of a choice.
but it almost seems as if you're venting your anger toward the soldiers, who, when it comes down to it, are no more doing the job they are being paid to do then you are - the only difference being you can likely walk away from your job without facing the possibility of prison.
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| | | 6 | katietx
ID: 201411622
Fri, May 30, 2008, 10:16
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One - they were not FORCED to join the military - remember we don't have a draft.
Two - they can walk away AFTER their original enlistment is up, in most cases with an honorable discharge and $$ for college (as Tree said).
My point is a LOT of them don't leave after the original enlistment. They chose to stay and even asked to go back for more than one tour.
Do some come back mentally screwed up? Hell yes. Are there a lot of mentally screwed up people who never even join the service? Hell yes.
My suggestion is that you seek out a few who have (and are currently serving) in war zones and actually talk to them - broaden your horizons - you might even learn something about men and women of honor and courage.
For once, just once, I really tried to give something to the troups on this board. Damn, should'a known better.
Hey Tree...answer your email once in a while, will 'ya? ;-)
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| | | 8 | GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Fri, May 30, 2008, 17:02
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Katietx,
Just saw it.
Don't stick my head in this forum very often.
Thank you for posting what you did.
Not spending as much time visiting VA Hospitals as I have in the past, but still doing all I can.
Still have a lot of friends in country right now in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Just doing my daily prayer for all of them.
Cliff
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