What does it mean to "support the troops"

[IowaHawkeye]

my sister's boyfriend, who is in the U.S. Naval Academy, sent me this:

IT IS THE SOLDIER
by Charles M. Province

IT IS THE SOLDIER, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.

IT IS THE SOLDIER, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.

IT IS THE SOLDIER, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us freedom to demonstrate.

IT IS THE SOLDIER, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
IT IS THE SOLDIER who salutes the flag,
Who serves under the flag and
Whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
__________________________________________

My opinions about the war and Bush are irrelevent in this thread, but I do support our troops. They are going to work and doing the job they signed up to do - and I respect that. I know a few guys over there and I've been sending them cards/letters/packages. They're my friends so they know I support them fully.