For Us and Our Troops

[Tom Earp]

Sent from a friend and makes a lot of sense.


Your alarm goes off; you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes.
He stays up for days on end.
-- --
You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.
-- --
You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He gets shot at, as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.
-- --
You put on your anti war/"don't support the troops" shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.
-- --
You make sure your cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
-- --
You talk trash on your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
-- --
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
-- --
You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
-- --
You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He does not get to eat today.
-- --
Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for months, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
-- --
You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
-- --
You are angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He is told he will be held an extra 2 months.
----
You call your girlfriend and set a date for that night.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
-- --
You hug and kiss your boy/girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
-- --
You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.
-- --
You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own government and remembers why he is fighting.
-- --
You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the bodies lying around him.
-- --
You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does what he is told.
-- --
You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call and write home, sleep, and eat.
-- --
You crawl into your bed, with down pillows, and try to get
comfortable.
He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken by gun fire.
-- --
If only there were more men like him.

If you support your troops, send this on!!!!

IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS,
PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!!!

[RACooper]

Sorry Tom,

I can tell that this wasn't written by someone in the military (or at least not a tanker) ~ only an idiot would "nap" under a tank...

Besides the whole cross thing sounds a little contrived or manufactured... don't know about the US, but jewlery of any sort (aside of course from ID tags) is forbidden with uniforms here in Canada and most NATO countries - basically medics don't need the extra hassle of fishing out more metal from wounds; to say nothing of the problems that can arise from the wearing of religious icons...

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by RACooper

Sorry Tom,

I can tell that this wasn't written by someone in the military (or at least not a tanker) ~ only an idiot would "nap" under a tank...

Besides the whole cross thing sounds a little contrived or manufactured... don't know about the US, but jewlery of any sort (aside of course from ID tags) is forbidden with uniforms here in Canada and most NATO countries - basically medics don't need the extra hassle of fishing out more metal from wounds; to say nothing of the problems that can arise from the wearing of religious icons...

OMG...way to miss the POINT of the entire post! This is not meant to be hard and fast fact. It's a "makes you think" kind of thing.

[RACooper]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

OMG...way to miss the POINT of the entire post! This is not meant to be hard and fast fact. It's a "makes you think" kind of thing.

No I saw what the "point" of the post was... I get about one of these "inspirational" things a week emailed to me

My point is I'm a little sick of the manufactured and contrived nature of these "inspirational" messages designed to pull the heart strings and "support the troops". Personally I find it mostly BS, a nice and easy message to massage the ego and let people pat themselves on the back for "supporting the troops" simply by reading a message.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by RACooper

My point is I'm a little sick of the manufactured and contrived nature of these "inspirational" messages designed to pull the heart strings and "support the troops". Personally I find it mostly BS, a nice and easy message to massage the ego and let people pat themselves on the back for "supporting the troops" simply by reading a message.

Does the ivory tower ever get a little chilly? I can knit you a sweater!

I even agree with you conceptually - I have a rant on this very site about the retardation that is the 'yellow ribbon' campaign and car tags - but Jesus, this is baggy.

[RACooper]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Does the ivory tower ever get a little chilly? I can knit you a sweater!

I even agree with you conceptually - I have a rant on this very site about the retardation that is the 'yellow ribbon' campaign and car tags - but Jesus, this is baggy.

I guess I'm a little fed up with it because it's coming in on two fronts - the American "Support The Troops" and the Canadian "Support The Troops"... so instead of just one message or so every now and then; I seem to get them one after another... first one flavoured "Americana" then another one "Canadiana". The vast majority are amateurish attempts at best; which does a diservice to any notable pieces or poems of support.

As for the yellow ribbon stickers crap... count yourself lucky that it's only one ribbon - up here you get the yellow, the camoflague, the canadian flag, and the khaki ribbon stickers on cars... and yet I don't seem to see the ribbon stickers on cars sporting the veteran's plate - nor do I seem to get the "support the troop" poems/observations/stories/confessions from vets or those still serving either.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by RACooper

Sorry Tom,

I can tell that this wasn't written by someone in the military (or at least not a tanker) ~ only an idiot would "nap" under a tank...

Besides the whole cross thing sounds a little contrived or manufactured... don't know about the US, but jewlery of any sort (aside of course from ID tags) is forbidden with uniforms here in Canada and most NATO countries - basically medics don't need the extra hassle of fishing out more metal from wounds; to say nothing of the problems that can arise from the wearing of religious icons...

In America
You can wear crosses under your shirt while in uniform, as well as wedding bands. Women can also wear stud earrings. You really can't get under a tank, a truck yes, but not a tank.

War is a lot different now than it was during WWII and before in the sense it doesnt affect the general population as it used to. There are no rations on things like steel or foods, or really anything to even remind people that we are at war(besides the news). I was at the bar last week with two friends and the subject of Iraq came up. They both told me that they don't really care what happens in Iraq because they don't have anybody close to them that is over there right now. I'm sorry, but I think thats sick.

[jon1856]

http://mrmom.amaonline.com/asoldier.htm
http://mrmom.amaonline.com/asoldierschristmas.htm

Sites which help Support our Troops:
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/index.aspx
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6568316/
http://anysoldier.com/index.cfm
http://www.oidelivers.org/
http://www.adoptaplatoon.org/
http://www.gi-bracelet.org/GIBracelet/index.html
http://www.defendamerica.mil/
http://www.uso.org/
O Valiant Hearts
O valiant hearts who to your glory came
through dust of conflict and through battle flame;
tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved,
your memory hallowed in the land you loved.

Proudly you gathered, rank on rank, to war
as who had heard God's message from afar;
all you had hoped for, all you had, you gave,
to save mankind — yourselves you scorned to save.
John Stanhope Arkwright’s hymn “O Valiant Hearts”.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Does the ivory tower ever get a little chilly? I can knit you a sweater!

Best. Quote. Ever.