Military families: Honest question... please no flames

[Nik's Mom]

I have a lot of veterans in my family. Dad was a Korean War vet, a couple of uncles were in WWII and 3 of my brothers were in Vietnam. I am very supportive of our troops. I understand why some might be bothered by the "bring our troops home" comment because it is used by those who are against war. Not just this war, but any war.

When I see that term, I assume that people just want the troops to come home safely when their tour of duty ends. We will always have troops overseas, even during non-war times.

 

[surfergirl602]

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.

I agree with that 100%! That's kind of what I meant in my earlier post, but you've just said it better.

 

[Briarmom]

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.

Agreed.

 

[quentina]

I am so confused....I do not have any first hand experience however, I thought that saying meant....bring them home safely :confused

 

[ogreenlee]

I just want to say that I'm glad that all sides were given and that it remained civil throughout. Thanks everyone.. and I do feel enlightened on the subject.

 

[mariolatry]

I have a step-brother who's on his third tour in Afghanistan and I have absolutely no problem with that phrase. If I had a choice between him being stationed somewhere domestically or safely overseas, or being somewhere in the line of fire, why WOULDN'T I choose the former option? At this point, I'm not on either side of the war discussion; I'm on my brother's side!

It is a job that he signed up for and is good at but is no more or less noble than a lot of other jobs in America. I don't think wanting him out of harm's way is an insult at all.

 

[mrsklamc]

I have also seen it used in a political way, as in 'REALLY supporting our troops would be bringing them home,' so some might be offended by that connotation as well if that's something they've experienced.

 

[Magic Mom]

If I had a choice between him being stationed somewhere domestically or safely overseas, or being somewhere in the line of fire, why WOULDN'T I choose the former option? .

I think we all feel that way, regardless of how we feel about that phrase. After 20 years, I am ready for DH's retirement.

 

[Boo'sMom]

Support the Troops, Support the Mission

 

[ginna74]

My hubby will be deploying next year . I am a veteran also. I support our troops and wish they could all come home at the same time. You don't have to be either one way or the other. You can support and wish this all would be done with!

 

[minkydog]

I am so confused....I do not have any first hand experience however, I thought that saying meant....bring them home safely :confused

Me too. I didn't realize that Bring Home the Troops was so emotionally charged. My Dad was a youngster in the Korean War(Frozen Chosin) and believe me, he wanted to go home! But of course he stayed because he had a job to do and he threw himself into it. He ended up going career in the USAF.

When I see the video of troops on the news I always say a quick prayer for their safety and I hope they can come home safely and as soon as possible to be with their parents, spouses, and children. I would have thought that is a good thing

 

[minkydog]

oops. double post

 

[Tigger in Naples]

If we arn't there to win Why Go !! Not caring if we win or not sounds just like a Vietman protester!

 

[Nancyg56]

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.

I agree. I think that we can all pray for an end to the war and pray for a safe and honorable return of our troops. I know that I do every day.

I think that you can use the phrase with the best of intentions.

I can understand thinking that a particular war or other military job is wrong in concept. But I believe it's important to understand that soldiers perform their duty regardless of location or ideology and they deserve the utmost respect for that. I think that some say "bring our troops home" only out of concern for those troops. I realize that others are only wrapped up in the politics.

I believe that a lot of people really do not realize what that phrase means. My nephew was serving in Iraq when there was pressure to bring the troop levels down. As troops went home they were not replaced leaving those behind with the work load that more had done. He was exhausted, often only getting 5 hours of sleep. I realize that there was no intention to harm the men and women serving but the burden left on those reduced troop levels was horrific. If we really support our troops we need to let them know that we support them and will until every one is home on US soil. Pressuring our lawmakers to bring them home before the job is done can endanger those left behind.

I want them all home too.

I'm proud of what my husband does. I don't need or want people protesting for him to stop doing what he does. If you really want to support the troops, instead of protesting their mission, keep informed about and fight against legislation that will dilute or take away benefits from current military, retirees and disable veterans. THAT will show support.

 

[CowboyCO]

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?

Most people who sat they want the troops to come home based less on actual support of the troops and more on there opposition to the mission. People that want the troops to come home now, do not support the mission - to defeat terrorism and provide enough stability and training for local, democratically elected governments to eventually provide a peaceful environment where terrorists can no longer base and train from.

For those who have asked why they don't have parades for the military -- they DO - and you don't go. There was a huge Veterans Day Parade in Colorado Springs that we went to. There were probably 10,000-20,000 people to watch the parade. And of course -- there were protesters with signs reading "bring our troops home" That's why people get mad.

 

[ogreenlee]

If we arn't there to win Why Go !! Not caring if we win or not sounds just like a Vietman protester!

I'm sorry, but MANY of us didn't want us to go in the first place.

I would have much rather picked the option of "Why go?"

 

[pajamommy]

I would think that anyone in the military knows what they signed up for, and for someone to say bring the troops home would diminish their job and their role....of course we don't ever want anyone to come in harm's way during war, but this is their job, and they want to accomplish what they set out to do, and complete their job, just like anyone else.

 

[Imzadi]

I know the Yankees had a ticker tape parade yesterday.....why can't that be done for when our troops come home? Don't they at least deserver that?

Just a little (friendly) FYI (in keeping with the non-debate of this thread):

While NYC does not have a ticker tape parade for the troops we DO have Fleet Week every year for as long as I can remember, for the week of Memorial Day. The city gets filled with the navy in white uniform. (I always wonder how they keep those uniforms so impecably white in a soot-filled city. ) It is one of our best weeks as we honor the troops and we get to personally and individually thank them when we see them, for what they do.

On July 4th, we also have a big celebration (Macy's fireworks) and honor whatever troops are in town. And there are many that come in, from all branches of the miltary.

The Intrepid aircraft carrier was taken away and rehabbed for a couple years, for gazillions of dollars and was finally returned to her permanent home berth on the west side of the Hudson River at 46th St. this summer.

Next week, we have the annual Veteran's Day parade, in which the mayor, himself, walks with our veterans of all wars. My Dad used to come down & walk in the parade. You're in NJ. Come support the parade.

We support the troops in many ways in NYC. Many of them volunteered for duty because of September 11th. We walk these streets, free and safe because they fight for our right to do so. Yes, there are also protests here. But, I'd say, the majority of us here, do not take for granted that they fight for what happened to this city. <insert American flag smilie here >

Still, I'd like to see our troops brought home - safely. I didn't know that was thought of as a bad thing.

 

[jazzielady]

I see supporting the troops and supporting the mission as 2 completely different issues. I completely support supplying the troops in the field with the best equipment possible. I also believe that our men and women in all branches of the service deserve the best of care when they come home, or when they are serving in-country. I also believe veterans of all branches and wars deserve the same.

I also support bringing the troops home, or transferring them all to Afghanistan, where we can finsih the job we started with very good reason.

You cannot force democracy on a country. The desire must come from within, and we must allow the Iraqis to vote in whatever type of government suits their culture.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Just a little (friendly) FYI (in keeping with the non-debate of this thread):

While NYC does not have a ticker tape parade for the troops we DO have Fleet Week every year for as long as I can remember, for the week of Memorial Day. The city gets filled with the navy in white uniform. (I always wonder how they keep those uniforms so impecably white in a soot-filled city. ) It is one of our best weeks as we honor the troops and we get to personally and individually thank them when we see them, for what they do.

On July 4th, we also have a big celebration (Macy's fireworks) and honor whatever troops are in town. And there are many that come in, from all branches of the miltary.

The Intrepid aircraft carrier was taken away and rehabbed for a couple years, for gazillions of dollars and was finally returned to her permanent home berth on the west side of the Hudson River at 46th St. this summer.

Next week, we have the annual Veteran's Day parade, in which the mayor, himself, walks with our veterans of all wars. My Dad used to come down & walk in the parade. You're in NJ. Come support the parade.

We support the troops in many ways in NYC. Many of them volunteered for duty because of September 11th. We walk these streets, free and safe because they fight for our right to do so. Yes, there are also protests here. But, I'd say, the majority of us here, do not take for granted that they fight for what happened to this city. <insert American flag smilie here >

Still, I'd like to see our troops brought home - safely. I didn't know that was thought of as a bad thing.

I have lived in New Jersey pretty much my entire life and I am 31 years old. Fleet week is something TOTALLY different than having a parade welcoming home our soliders that have fought for us during this diffcult time.

We have a HUGE 4th of July celebration in my town, we have one of the oldest parades in the State as well. I used to be able to see the Twin Towers.......that is one reason my brother became a Marine. But again that still has nothing to do with honoring our troops coming home. Don't they deserve their own parade. If it can be done in the movies, why can't our local communities do it? That was the point I was trying to make.

I live in New Jersey and while I love New York, these parades should be happening ALL OVER our country. Our local papers should be covering these things instead of who A-Rod is dating. I agree I want our troops brought home safely as well and I support them everyday.