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Recently, Latour asked an interesting question about what we think it means to support our troops. Link
I'd like to expand on what I responded to him in the comments.
Over the course of the last 65 years, our country has fought in 5 major conflicts and numerous minor conflicts. The reaction of the people who stayed home varied from conflict to conflict.
In World War II, the folks at home rallied to support the war effort. Every family made some sacrifice (monetary, goods, family members, etc.) in order to support that effort.
Korea, the response was similar (although I can't say for certain as I cannot find too much in the way of reaction type comments from the folks at home. Please feel free to let me know about this).
In Vietnam, the reactions were very different. Opinions on whether we should even be in that war were split. Quite a few people, rather than do their civic duty, ran away from the draft. Some, like our illustrious VP managed to dodge due to "educational" reasons. Others, hid in Canada or other places outside the borders of the United States. Still others, went, but pulled as many strings/tricks as they could to return home as soon as possible. How do you think this made the folks that responded to the draft (or, hell, even volunteered) feel?
When soldiers returned home from spending a tour (or multiple tours) over in the conflict zone, and met the hateful response here in the States, it was revolting. These were soldiers that had just spent time in Hell on Earth (about the only way I can accurately describe a combat zone) and they're treated worse than the stray dog walking down the street. See, most of the people demonstrating against the war would spit on soldiers, kick soldiers, yell, scream, and throw things at soldiers. Yet, that stray dog would be cared for, taken to a shelter. Anything but leave it wandering around to care for itself. Because the soldiers happened to be doing the job that they were given, they were treated worse than a stray animal.
Now, this affected the soldiers in different ways. Some, the only affects are an extra dose of vocal outrage when people carry on about how our soldiers are evil, when they're in Iraq. Some ... aren't here today to give an opinion on this subject.
See, I had a friend in Ansbach, Germany, where my dad was stationed. He spent almost 10 years fighting the nightmares generated by watching his dad commit suicide. His dad committed suicide because he was a man who thought they were over there doing the right thing. The trash heaped upon him and other members of his unit at his return made him question that. Two years after his return, with his 5 year old son watching, he ate the barrel of his M1911A1 and splattered his brains across his bedroom wall. This haunted his wife (also in the military, but did not serve in Vietnam) and his son. At the age of 15, after fighting these memories for 10 years, the boy took his own life. How the troops are treated can affect others besides the soldiers.
That brings us to the current conflict in Iraq. Do we all agree on the reasons why we are there? No. Should we? Probably not. However! The decision has been made. The dice have been tossed. We deal with what is real, what is happening. Not what we wish would happen.
The soldiers are there. The soldiers are dying. The soldiers are succeeding at what they're trying to do. They are rebuilding schools and offices. They are rebuilding the infrastructure to support civilization in the country. They are slowly adjusting attitudes in the country so that stability can return to a region that hasn't truly known stability in thousands of years.
Yes, people (civilians) are dying. Yes, some of them are even killed by American troops. A far larger majority are killed by their own people. When a car bomb goes off, who's the primary target? The one soldier that might be standing there? Or the 3 young mothers that are watching their children play in the park? A terrorist aims for the target that will cause the most fear in the people around them.
What do we, as American citizins need to do to support our troops?
First, we need to avoid the biggest mistake that we made during the war in vietnam. We need to ALL sit down, shut up, and think about what we are saying. Are we trying to take to task the people that make the decisions? Or are we going to treat them like this guy?
That's the last response we should be making. These troops are just doing what they've been ordered to do. If we have a problem with the war, take it up with Washington! Not SGT Snuffy that's just doing what he's supposed to do.
What can we do? Well, I believe that we need to show our troops that we support them. At the very least, shut up with the complaints and the innuendos about how our troops are evil. They go through enough abuse from the folks that they are trying to support.
What else can we do? Prayers are always good. Stand up for them when you hear others slandering our soldiers. All of these are a start.
I'd like to expand on what I responded to him in the comments.
Over the course of the last 65 years, our country has fought in 5 major conflicts and numerous minor conflicts. The reaction of the people who stayed home varied from conflict to conflict.
In World War II, the folks at home rallied to support the war effort. Every family made some sacrifice (monetary, goods, family members, etc.) in order to support that effort.
Korea, the response was similar (although I can't say for certain as I cannot find too much in the way of reaction type comments from the folks at home. Please feel free to let me know about this).
In Vietnam, the reactions were very different. Opinions on whether we should even be in that war were split. Quite a few people, rather than do their civic duty, ran away from the draft. Some, like our illustrious VP managed to dodge due to "educational" reasons. Others, hid in Canada or other places outside the borders of the United States. Still others, went, but pulled as many strings/tricks as they could to return home as soon as possible. How do you think this made the folks that responded to the draft (or, hell, even volunteered) feel?
When soldiers returned home from spending a tour (or multiple tours) over in the conflict zone, and met the hateful response here in the States, it was revolting. These were soldiers that had just spent time in Hell on Earth (about the only way I can accurately describe a combat zone) and they're treated worse than the stray dog walking down the street. See, most of the people demonstrating against the war would spit on soldiers, kick soldiers, yell, scream, and throw things at soldiers. Yet, that stray dog would be cared for, taken to a shelter. Anything but leave it wandering around to care for itself. Because the soldiers happened to be doing the job that they were given, they were treated worse than a stray animal.
Now, this affected the soldiers in different ways. Some, the only affects are an extra dose of vocal outrage when people carry on about how our soldiers are evil, when they're in Iraq. Some ... aren't here today to give an opinion on this subject.
See, I had a friend in Ansbach, Germany, where my dad was stationed. He spent almost 10 years fighting the nightmares generated by watching his dad commit suicide. His dad committed suicide because he was a man who thought they were over there doing the right thing. The trash heaped upon him and other members of his unit at his return made him question that. Two years after his return, with his 5 year old son watching, he ate the barrel of his M1911A1 and splattered his brains across his bedroom wall. This haunted his wife (also in the military, but did not serve in Vietnam) and his son. At the age of 15, after fighting these memories for 10 years, the boy took his own life. How the troops are treated can affect others besides the soldiers.
That brings us to the current conflict in Iraq. Do we all agree on the reasons why we are there? No. Should we? Probably not. However! The decision has been made. The dice have been tossed. We deal with what is real, what is happening. Not what we wish would happen.
The soldiers are there. The soldiers are dying. The soldiers are succeeding at what they're trying to do. They are rebuilding schools and offices. They are rebuilding the infrastructure to support civilization in the country. They are slowly adjusting attitudes in the country so that stability can return to a region that hasn't truly known stability in thousands of years.
Yes, people (civilians) are dying. Yes, some of them are even killed by American troops. A far larger majority are killed by their own people. When a car bomb goes off, who's the primary target? The one soldier that might be standing there? Or the 3 young mothers that are watching their children play in the park? A terrorist aims for the target that will cause the most fear in the people around them.
What do we, as American citizins need to do to support our troops?
First, we need to avoid the biggest mistake that we made during the war in vietnam. We need to ALL sit down, shut up, and think about what we are saying. Are we trying to take to task the people that make the decisions? Or are we going to treat them like this guy?
That's the last response we should be making. These troops are just doing what they've been ordered to do. If we have a problem with the war, take it up with Washington! Not SGT Snuffy that's just doing what he's supposed to do.
What can we do? Well, I believe that we need to show our troops that we support them. At the very least, shut up with the complaints and the innuendos about how our troops are evil. They go through enough abuse from the folks that they are trying to support.
What else can we do? Prayers are always good. Stand up for them when you hear others slandering our soldiers. All of these are a start.