A soldier's story.

[Zurg]

I got this from a good friend and high school classmate, it is his brother's story.

I hope this is more about isolated jerks than liberal /conservative however I figure the guy served all of us and I'll let him call it like he experianced it.


Quote:
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A real story about the difference in Liberals and Conservatives

In January 2003 I left home since I was mobilized to go fly Chinooks with my reserve buddies for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Before I left I promised my 6-year-old daughter that when I returned, I would take just her out for a special dinner.

I returned home for good, December 31st 2003 after 11 months of service and 9 months in the desert. It was just in time for my daughters 7th birthday. On the morning of January 6th I gave her some flowers and told her that after school she needed to dress up for a special dinner on her birthday with just daddy. She wore a pretty white gown with a red sash that she wore in her 1st cousins weeding. She really wanted her dad to see her in this dress in August, but I wasn’t home. She thought this dinner was the perfect opportunity to wear it. She asked me to wear something special too. So I put on my Army green Class A’s and off we went to a very upscale restaurant on State Circle in downtown Annapolis Maryland.

This restaurant had a beautiful view of the State of Maryland Capital Building. We had reservations so we were seated immediately right by the large picture window across from the Capital Building. I must say it was a fairy tale picture, a dad just home from war and his beautiful daughter in her special dress she had wanted him to see.

The restaurant was not at all crowded, in fact was very quiet. Toward the end of the meal a couple came in and was seated at the table next to us. The woman would turn around and glance at us, and then whisper to her male companion. A few minutes later two other males walked in and joined them. They all became loud, odd for a fine restaurant. One had a French accent and the other a San Francisco Bay Area accent. What got me first is they were in one of the finest dinning establishments in Maryland and they were dressed for a movie at the mall at best, but who cares. Then it started.

The male who came in with the female asked the others how they liked being surrounded by conservatives at work. They all laughed and one said “Conservatives, oh its horrible. It’s all the same, conservatives, rednecks and military, what is the difference.” I could not believe my ears. I’m sitting right there next to them and they are speaking like this and I’m with my daughter. This banter went on for a bit.

The redneck in me wanted to jump across the table throw the husband thru the window, smack the life partner, and jam my fist down the Frenchman’s throat. I would have left the wife alone, she could see what type of men she was with when it was all over.

The military part of me wanted to grab my Chinook crew and hover outside the window and let the door gunner take care of business.

The conservative in me knew that none of that would have been right, my daughter would not have been proud of those actions, and there is freedom of speech in our country. The conservative in me also knew had I taken the redneck route, the husband would have sued, the life partner would have asked me out on a date, the Frenchman would have surrendered, and the woman still would associate with wimps.

I looked at my daughter who was still smiling, as she had been the whole meal. She was unaware of their comments. I was glad I was still seated. I was still angry and in shock from the rude inconsiderate comments about the military and conservatives and I AM SITTING RIGHT THERE. A lot of troops who return are dealing with these feelings from some Americans and liberals, you don’t get it.

So what is the difference? As a Conservative Redneck Military man, I would not have spoken about Liberal Academia Peaceniks in front of their children, especially after you had sacrificed a year of your life and family for your country….um wait.

So I ask myself why I, and all the other Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardsman continue to do what we do. Its simple, we love our country and will fight for all who live here. All I have to do is think of the innocent children being raised by liberals and think, who will defend them? I will, a redneck military conservative.

CPT Smith

Please pass this on.
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Funny I hear all the time about supporting the troops, yeah right. I thouight spitting on returning troops went out with Vietnam. I think spitting on the guy wouldn't be as bad as trash talking in front of his kid.

Oh by the way, if you want to pass on a thanks to CPT Smith for his service, regardless of your political persuasion post a note here and I'll see that the URL finds it way to him.

His name is Aaron.

IMHO Thanks are in order after all he didn't make the policy, but he put his life on the line becasue he felt strongly enough about our country to serve. The brass sent him there.



I know you guys and I trust we can give the guy some nice things to read to his kid from regular folks, not beltway jerks.

 

[DaveH]

I am sorry, he was not a liberal, he is a moron!!! I disagree with the lack of reasons for going, but I still thank god for all our troops.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I'm passing that one on. Those people certainly have NO respect for ANYONE! Not the type of people I want to know.

 

[Zurg]

You know Dave and PinWiz I agree, sounds liek a bunch of self centered twits.

I know a lot of good people, many who have served, who didn't like the idea of this fight but none would have tried to make a little girl feel less proud of her dad for giving up seing her grow from 6 to 7 becuase they disagreed with the President.

Moron is not the right word but then again the filters may block the right ones.

 

[DaveH]

It was the only clean word that came to mind. LOL I am glad she had a great time and is proud of her daddy.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Well, having a dear friend in the Army 26 years now, I'm partial to sticking up for our military!!! These people sacrifice a heck of a lot for US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every single person in this country! They deserve MUCH respect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, I'll try and stroke down my ruffled feathers now.

 

[poohbear1029]

As a military wife, this type of stuff urks me. I am glad that CPT Smith maintained his composure and sat proudly in his uniform. Thank you so much for the job you have done and I am glad you are safely back with your family!

What the bafoons next to him didnt realized was that it was the conservative, redneck military that allowed them the freedom to speak so rudely in public.

During the first Gulf War, my DH was in college and in ROTC and while walking across in the quad in his USAF blues, he was chastised loudly by some "Liberal" as a baby killer. He still is very uncomfortable in some civilian situations in his uniform because he is always afraid someone will confront with a comment like that.

Here's what it comes down to......hate the politics and the "powers that be", but dont hate the men and women in uniform who take a job of honor to serve their countries and provide for their families proudly. In fact, unless you actually took the time to exercise your right to vote, then you have no right to even sit and complain!

 

[lizdotcom99]

[QUOTE
Here's what it comes down to......hate the politics and the "powers that be", but dont hate the men and women in uniform who take a job of honor to serve their countries and provide for their families proudly. In fact, unless you actually took the time to exercise your right to vote, then you have no right to even sit and complain! [/QUOTE]


Very well said Poohbear. Zurg, please pass my gratitude on to the very courageous gentleman woh not only protected our country, but handled a toatlly uncalled for situation with true grace and dignity!!! Thnaks for making America the GREATEST place in the world to live!!!!

 

[powellrj]

When I first read this I printed it out and was going to give it to my son (who is Army), but I had to rethink what I was doing. I didn't want him to know how very thoughtless and downright hateful some people can be to those who are serving their country. Please pass on my thanks and best wishes.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by powellrj
When I first read this I printed it out and was going to give it to my son (who is Army), but I had to rethink what I was doing. I didn't want him to know how very thoughtless and downright hateful some people can be to those who are serving their country.

Same here, Powellrj. As of yet, I have not passed it on to my friend for the same reason.

 

[doxdogy]

As the daughter of a retired Navy chief, the sister of a vietnam veteran, the niece of Uncles that also served in the Navy, and the proud Aunt of an Army soldier. The people in the restaurant making the rude remarks make my blood boil. I live in a city where the military has a strong presence. We have two Navy bases here in Jax. We use to have three. So, I guess it amazes me that some people have no gratitude towards our brave men and women in the military. Please pass on my thanks to the Captain that wrote the piece you shared with us.

 

[Otto's Doll]

As an Air Force Wife, I salute Aaron. Thank God for men and women like him who are willing to put their lives on the line for the very freedom of speech that allowed these people to put him down. God bless him and his family.

 

[Serena]

Make sure to pass on my thanks to Aaron as well. We owe him and the other military and their families a humongous thanks that can't be repaid.

Those men were jerks, it doesn't matter their politics.


Aaron handled the situation with class. One day his daughter will repeat this story with pride.

 

[sully301]

this is only my second post on these boards but i felt compelled to reply

I am what some people would label as 'liberal' yet i would never be rude to someone in the military, I am married to a member of the Air force. I am respectful of the sacrifices they make, i have lived them. Members of the military cannot choose which battles they agree with.

Why is it liberals are constantly being attacked? we were right about the weapons of mass destruction!

 

[Zurg]

Thanks Sully301.

As I siad I hope this is more about isolated jerks than liberal / conservative. I am confident there are many good folks with liberal views who are offended by the behavior in this story and who serve our nation. IMHO that is the real point but I also feel it is important for all of us to pause and say thanks to those who serve.

 

[Zurg]

Got this in email from Aaron,

(I posted a similar thread over at the Lodge hence the 'both')

Thank you Bennet

Both threads meant a lot. I never meant it as a way to receive thanks, but it is humbling to receive it.

I can speak first hand that there are no finer men in service than Aaron and his family. They are a fine line of charing, honest, hard working, regular old Amaricans. Kind of men that all the riches a tyrant may have can't buy and why the US military is the envy of those tyrants.

 

[jjcollins]

Well done CPT Smith for maintaining his composure - but i have one question why did he not complain to the Restaurant owner??

I think that would have fixed them


jj.......

 

[pammypooh]

Captain Smith's very logical thought process on what his appropriate actions should be while he and his daughter were under verbal attack is the exact reason that our military men and women are the greatest in the world. Picture how another country's military (how about the Iraqi) would have reacted to these statements.

Captain Smith showed his daughter the true meaning of an officer and a gentleman.

So happy for his safe return, so grateful for his service and so admiring the fine example he gives to his family and friends - and now us at the DIS.

As the daughter of a Vietnam Marine, I will always go the extra mile for any veteran. God Bless you!

Pam