Military families: Honest question... please no flames

[wendypooh]

Thanks everyone...


I guess the choice of words is what bothers folks, huh? I can appreciate that.
Personally, I just want the war to end. I don't feel like we have to win to end the war. I'm certain there are many folks who don't feel that way.

I know that when our men and women sign up that they know they are there to serve. I just feel guilty knowing that our country keeps sending them back over and over again. I feel like we are taking advantage of their good service. Ya know?

I hope I didn't break any rules, and feel free to lock this thread. I certainly and especially didn't mean to hurt feelings or bring up sensitive issues.

Thanks again for the clarification. I got more out of the few posts here than I did on my FB page. That's for sure!

NO - Not the "choice" of words - the intent behind WHATEVER words are used - IF they are negative or rather NON supportive. I think what that particular "phrase" to anyone who is offended by it - means to them is that it has the INTENT that it is NON supportive.

 

[Briarmom]

I am so out of the loop. I'm a military wife and I didn't know it was offensive.

 

[Planogirl]

NO - Not the "choice" of words - the intent behind WHATEVER words are used - IF they are negative or rather NON supportive. I think what that particular "phrase" to anyone who is offended by it - means to them is that it has the INTENT that it is NON supportive.

It can BUT I don't think that some of them mean any harm. I think that some think that whatever task is at hand might be wrong or a waste of time and feel bad that people get caught up in that. They worry that someone could be harmed or even worse while doing something they see as pointless.

Personally, I believe that those in the service made that decision and are well aware of these possibilities. Just like any responsibility if the person believes in what they are doing, it's right. I hope that I'm making sense. And not being political!

 

[ogreenlee]

I don't know why the term is considered insulting either. I do absolutely support our troops. I know there are things worth fighting for, but I'm not in favor of war by any means. I wish for a world where soldiers would all be out of work. I know that's not possible, so I support the next best thing - that the mission will be over as soon as possible and they can come home to their families. Don't they wish that as well?

I understand what you're saying, too. The mission, to most of us watching from the outside, has changed quite a bit since we first started. I think most folks have the utmost respect for our military. I can't imagine not. I know there are those few out there who despise the military, but there are crazy people everywhere. There are good and bad in everything, including the military.

To go further definitely would be breaking the rules. I just hope that those of you with family in the Middle East know that those of us who are wanting this war to end doesn't mean we don't support our troops. It makes me so upset to know that supplies are short and troops can't get what they need. We donate to veterans organizations (the good ones), support our local neighborhood troops, and I'm very proud of our military and their determination. I was born in an Army hospital. They fight for our freedom, which includes our ability to dissent.

 

[Magic Mom]

It can BUT I don't think that some of them mean any harm. I think that some think that whatever task is at hand might be wrong or a waste of time and feel bad that people get caught up in that. They worry that someone could be harmed or even worse while doing something they see as pointless.

Personally, I believe that those in the service made that decision and are well aware of these possibilities. Just like any responsibility if the person believes in what they are doing, it's right. I hope that I'm making sense. And not being political!

You made sense.

 

[wendypooh]

Look at the context in which the phrase is most often used. You don't see a bunch of wives sitting around saying it - you usually almost always see it being said in an enviroment that is NOT supportive of our troops. Or what appears to be non supportive. i.e. protest. At least that is the way a lot of people see it. Therefore, obviously the phrase would be offensive to some.

 

[wendypooh]

It can BUT I don't think that some of them mean any harm. I think that some think that whatever task is at hand might be wrong or a waste of time and feel bad that people get caught up in that. They worry that someone could be harmed or even worse while doing something they see as pointless.

Personally, I believe that those in the service made that decision and are well aware of these possibilities. Just like any responsibility if the person believes in what they are doing, it's right. I hope that I'm making sense. And not being political!

We are actually on the same page - I know that it can mean many different things and many different inferences. I tried to point that out - What I was trying to do was give the OP an anwers as to why some find it offensive - depending on the context of how it's used.

 

[ogreenlee]

Look at the context in which the phrase is most often used. You don't see a bunch of wives sitting around saying it - you usually almost always see it being said in an enviroment that is NOT supportive of our troops. Or what appears to be non supportive. i.e. protest. At least that is the way a lot of people see it. Therefore, obviously the phrase would be offensive to some.

I don't think people who protest the war are non-supportive of our troops. The context is a generalized statement of wanting the war to end and having our troops come home without any more injury or death. I don't think anyone expects us to pack up and have everyone home within a week, but I do think that many people would like to see the process start to happen.


I'll admit to being a crazy liberal, but I've never been in any environment that isn't supportive of our troops. I've never heard any ill words spoken of our military overall. Sure, you hear about crazy individuals, but not overall.

 

[Magic Mom]

I don't think people who protest the war are non-supportive of our troops. The context is a generalized statement of wanting the war to end and having our troops come home without any more injury or death. I don't think anyone expects us to pack up and have everyone home within a week, but I do think that many people would like to see the process start to happen.


I'll admit to being a crazy liberal, but I've never been in any environment that isn't supportive of our troops. I've never heard any ill words spoken of our military overall. Sure, you hear about crazy individuals, but not overall.

I think wanting the military to pull out early is upsetting to some because then everything they have been through and sacrificed becomes meaningless. If they aren't allowed to finish their job, then all the sacrifice is for nothing.

 

[wendypooh]

I don't think people who protest the war are non-supportive of our troops. The context is a generalized statement of wanting the war to end and having our troops come home without any more injury or death. I don't think anyone expects us to pack up and have everyone home within a week, but I do think that many people would like to see the process start to happen.


I'll admit to being a crazy liberal, but I've never been in any environment that isn't supportive of our troops. I've never heard any ill words spoken of our military overall. Sure, you hear about crazy individuals, but not overall.

I respectfully disagree with this. I think A LOT of people who protest the war are NON SUPPORTIVE - Period. It doesn't help the troops in any way what so ever for people to protest what they are doing.

And, I'm glad you've never been in an enviroment where the military wasn't supported - however, it is A LOT more than a FEW crazy individuals who protest. It's been going on for generations - someone pointed out Vietnam, when our troops came home - that was a lot more than a few crazy individuals - I think we probably have different ideas as to what supportive is -

Anyway - I tried to ANSWER the question you posted - I'm NOT going to get into a debate as to wether my answer is valid or not - you asked, I told you why from my point of view.

Again, I encourage everyone to support our troops - and I give Thanks to all those who serve.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

DH, a reservist, spent 10 months in Iraq. He does not like the saying.

As others have said, wanting them home means you don't support what they are doing. And what they did becomes meaningless. Most I know are very proud of what they accomplished over there.

 

[natenapril]

If you support the troops-you support the mission-to dont do so dishonors the lives given, the families seperated, and the bodies broken and wounded. Thats all i can say with out breaking rules.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I am totally confused now.

My brother was in Iraq for 7 months, both my mother and myself and my stepfather all had yellow ribbon magnets on our cars etc. ON our front lawn we had a large white flag with all Military emblems on it that said support our troops, we also had a sign that said bring them home soon again with yellow flgas on it.

Was it wrong for us to want my brother, son, home? Sooner and alive than in a body bag in Dover?

I am just generally confused and I also don't see where are these protesters are that some are talking about? I have been down to DC on several occasions and have not seen any protesters like you are speaking of.

Also my brother gets this great Marine catalog with all sorts of Tshirts and things ( I spend too much sometimes haha ) but I am a proud sister of a Marine. They have those types of things in that catalog as well, bring them home soon etc.

I 1000% disagree with ANY war BUT I support the military and just want them safe, why is that wrong and insulting? That is what confuses me?

 

[Stephanie218]

If you support the troops-you support the mission-to dont do so dishonors the lives given, the families seperated, and the bodies broken and wounded. Thats all i can say with out breaking rules.

Agreed 100%. As much as I miss my husband when he is gone, that is his job...and he's doing it for a reason.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I don't know why the term is considered insulting either. I do absolutely support our troops. I know there are things worth fighting for, but I'm not in favor of war by any means. I wish for a world where soldiers would all be out of work. I know that's not possible, so I support the next best thing - that the mission will be over as soon as possible and they can come home to their families. Don't they wish that as well?

I totally agree with this. War, by its very nature, is brutal and uncivilized (not the people fighting it, but the actual act of a human having to kill another human being) and I wish there was some way we could solve problems without another war ever occurring. That said, I come from a family with many Air Force veterans and I support our troops completely.

 

[ogreenlee]

i don't believe that you have to support the mission to support the troops. they don't get a say in the mission, but are required to sacrifice because of it and support it. they fight for us to have the right to dissent from the mission. i didn't support this mission from the first second of it, but i will always support the troops.

i'm with the pp. i have yet to see or hear about spitter type people.

 

[rparmfamily]

The phrase doesn't offend me or my active duty husband. I think people usually say it with good intentions, because no one likes war reguardless of the reasons we are at war. I do wish they were all home with their families but that will never happen. Never.

Now comments about "that's what you signed up for" sometimes irk me...or "you knew what you were getting into when you married someone in the military",etc...those comments do tick me off for some reason, no matter if they are true, false, etc.

 

[Tomader]

I work with a lady who has a son that just joined the military. She is so proud of him. I have asked her if she was worried and she said she was. That said it's what he wants to do. He knows what he signed up to do and he wants to be there. Thank god for these people that protect this country. I also think about the families of these brave men and women. They pay a price in this also. In a perfect world there would be know wars but we don't live in a perfect world. So I just say thank you to all the men and women that keep this country safe. I support them 100 percent. These people deserve far more than they get!!!

 

[Nelfamily]

i don't believe that you have to support the mission to support the troops. they don't get a say in the mission, but are required to sacrifice because of it and support it. they fight for us to have the right to dissent from the mission. i didn't support this mission from the first second of it, but i will always support the troops.

i'm with the pp. i have yet to see or hear about spitter type people.

I agree. I am active duty AF, just went over my 20 year mark a month ago and I'm still serving.

When people say "Bring our troops home", it doesn't bother me. I may not agree with the who, what, when, when and why we have to fight, but I go and I do my job because this is the life I chose. What comments people make that I do take exception to is when the military is blamed for the wars that we are and have fought. It bothers me that I serve my country to fight for the right so others can protest me and my fellow service members. I feel that those people are aiming their anger in the wrong direction. As a member of the US military I do not get to choose when, where, and why we fight. I'm am an extension of the US governments policies. I don't want to go to war and I most certainly do not want to kill anyone. I joined the AF to fight, and if I have to, die for my country. I do this of my own free will. I serve my country so my children will be able to grow up in a country where they have the right to speak their minds, worship the way they want, etc.

I want to thank ever service member and their families, past and present, for their service and sacrifice that they have made to our country. And to all those who support us...thank you.

 

[surfergirl602]

As a military wife, sometimes this phrase really bothers me. And here's why: Yeah, people say support our troops. Bring them back home. And it just seems like they are just jumping on the bandwagon. They really have no idea what those words really mean, it doesn't hit home for them, they just really have NO idea. And it bothers me, because those that live it every day, know exactly what it means. Yes, sure I want our troops "back home." But jeez, just shut up already. Quit reminding me every day that most have no clue what they are even talking about. Just my two cents.