Support the troops?

[Keroin]

But they have the choice not to join the military in the first place. Is it more noble to risk your life in the moment (running into a burning building) or knowing that at some point in the future it is almost 100% guaranteed you will be risking your life and limb and still saying 'I'll do it'?

The fireman/cop/whatever has no idea if they will ever have to put their life on the line at some point in their service. A solider does.

Well, there you go. There's one opinion.

You said it yourself. A teacher is not serving their country. They are serving their community. The community should thank them. (parents, students, local politicians, etc)

A soldier is serving their country. They are there in service of EVERYONE in said country. That is why they get a blanket thank you from everyone.

WHOA! A teacher is not serving their country? Seriously? I have traveled quite a lot, lived in a bunch of different countries and visited many others, and I can state, without any hesitation, that a country benefits ENORMOUSLY by having an educated population. As much, (if not more so), as having an army. You think the benefits of an educated population stop at the walls of a "community"? Think again.

A teacher serves EVERYONE, too.

 

[ControlandDom]

WHOA! A teacher is not serving their country? Seriously? I have traveled quite a lot, lived in a bunch of different countries and visited many others, and I can state, without any hesitation, that a country benefits ENORMOUSLY by having an educated population. As much, (if not more so), as having an army. You think the benefits of an educated population stop at the walls of a "community"? Think again.

A teacher serves EVERYONE, too.

A teacher is only responsible for the community they teach in. A soldier is responsible for every citizen in that country.

 

[Keroin]

A teacher is only responsible for the community they teach in. A soldier is responsible for every citizen in that country.

A teacher is responsible for educating the citizens of their country. Who knows where those citizens will end up once they graduate? I fail to see the difference you're trying to point out. The president had teachers, correct? Those teachers were responsible for educating the leader of a country...pretty massive responsibility.

SW? Thoughts?

 

[ControlandDom]

A teacher is responsible for educating the citizens of their country. Who knows where those citizens will end up once they graduate? I fail to see the difference you're trying to point out. The president had teachers, correct? Those teachers were responsible for educating the leader of a country...pretty massive responsibility.

SW? Thoughts?

Yes, they were responsible for educating an individual.

Soldiers don't do it for an individual or individuals. They do it for the whole of the nation. That is why the nation is quick to thank them.

And I won't even get into what part soldiers played in helping this president get to be president.

 

[Licia]

A teacher may only encounter a handful of students a year, and everyone recalls the lessons taught by their favorite teacher. Implying that a teacher has no effect on society or their country is denial at best.

Why else would the debate over evolution and creationism occur?

 

[ControlandDom]

A teacher may only encounter a handful of students a year, and everyone recalls the lessons taught by their favorite teacher. Implying that a teacher has no effect on society or their country is denial at best.

Why else would the debate over evolution and creationism occur?

Religious zealots.

 

[ControlandDom]

All I'm trying to say is that more people will be quick to say thank you to a solider they don't know because they believe he or she is out there fighting for them.

A teacher will only garner a thank you if they have a personal connection with that same person.

 

[Keroin]

Implying that a teacher has no effect on society or their country is denial at best.

Exactly. And that's just one example. So many people do jobs or perform tasks that benefit (directly or indirectly), communities, cities, states, provinces, countries, the entire world. Our lives touch a multitude of other lives, and there are any number of people who deserve thanks and respect for what they give.

We are not islands, so to speak.

Some people pay a high price for what they give us. Not all of those people are soldiers.

I'm not suggesting we do not thank or respect those in the military, nor am I suggesting those who give the automatic thank you are wrong for doing so. I'm simply suggesting that we examine that practice and apply some critical thinking.

For me, no one gets a free pass in the thank-you department and my respect is earned. But that's just me.

Well, I may make an exception for nurses.

 

[Netzach]

But they have the choice not to join the military in the first place. Is it more noble to risk your life in the moment (running into a burning building) or knowing that at some point in the future it is almost 100% guaranteed you will be risking your life and limb and still saying 'I'll do it'?

The fireman/cop/whatever has no idea if they will ever have to put their life on the line at some point in their service. A solider does.




Really?

Considering how much support staff a war takes to do, versus a fire department, I'm not sure I agree with this. I think that you'd have to be a blithering fool to think that you won't have to fight a fire if you're a firefighter. I think that there's a lot more ambiguity in the armed forces about whether you'll be in a hot zone or not. I think a lot of people are in hot zones who were banking on never being in one.

Look at the way that women returning from this war are being handled - they're just as mangled, just as shot up, and just as screwed up as men are but they're not technically fighting on a front. Those "thank yous" seem to come much slower, and the financial support comes not at all. Spike in homeless single mom vets. A lot of people are being asked to do the unexpected thing - I don't think everyone comes on line for the national good and some large patriotic reason. That seems like a fantasy. Some people just sell pot and get hobson's choice, or grow up with drug addicts and benefit from the structure of the forces, there are so many reasons people wind up where they wind up.

 

[Keroin]

All I'm trying to say is that more people will be quick to say thank you to a solider they don't know because they believe he or she is out there fighting for them.

A teacher will only garner a thank you if they have a personal connection with that same person.

Fair enough. All I'm saying is that maybe we should question that practice.

 

[Licia]

Religious zealots.

Exactly. Many nations have this problem.

A teacher has a ripple effect which spreads into the rest of society, and that sort of power can be dangerous to future generations.

Denying their importance and position in society (no matter how small) makes me wonder if people walk around with their eyes shut.

Teachers helped shape me into the person I am today. Encouraging and developing my critical thinking skills was a great gift, and I *am* thankful for that.

 

[JMohegan]

Also, there are many, many people who “serve” their country who do not get this carte blanc respect despite their selflessness and hard work, and sometimes the risk to life and limb. How about all the volunteers who give up their free time and money to help the less fortunate? How about teachers who have to work with an ever-shrinking school budget and criticism on all sides as they try to educate future generations (sometimes in schools resembling war zones)? How about doctors and nurses who travel to the poorest and most dangerous parts of the world to help the sick and injured? Etc, etc, etc? Why don’t we automatically thank those people the way we do with soldiers?

One of the most firmly rooted American myths is the notion that service members risk their lives to physically protect the rest of us, and to protect the very freedom on which our fundamental existence as Americans depends. The presumed nobleness of the cause reflects upon the service and renders it noble as well. Coal miners risk their lives to bring us energy, but somehow the collective American heartstrings aren't tugged in quite the same way.

Check out the comment from the guy on the thread in question, after he got snippy because he didn't like the responses. "Have a nice day... enjoy the freedoms that you have..." That's a direct shot at the rest of us, for enjoying the alleged fruits of his sacrifice while failing to write what he wanted us to say.

The truth of the matter is that the goal of American military endeavors frequently has nothing to do with our protection or freedom (see: insuring access to oil fields, for example), and may even make us less safe by inciting bitter anti-American loathing.

Nevertheless, the fact remains that service members and their families make tremendous sacrifices to fulfill the demands of the elected representatives whom we, the people, put in office. Because I believe that we, the American voters, bear ultimate responsibility for the missions on which they are sent, I believe that we, the American voters, owe service members (collectively) a debt of deep gratitude.

I support our troops by supporting anti-war efforts and the least trigger-happy candidates available, with both my time and money. I also support veterans' benefits and make donations to organizations such as Fisher House.

So, do you agree that those in the military should all, always be given an automatic, respectful thank you? If so, why? If not, why not?

No. For me, respect and gratitude toward individuals depend on why they enlisted and how they conducted themselves in the service.

 

[Keroin]

Check out the comment from the guy on the thread in question, after he got snippy because he didn't like the responses. "Have a nice day... enjoy the freedoms that you have..." That's a direct shot at the rest of us, for enjoying the alleged fruits of his sacrifice while failing to write what he wanted us to say.

Oh yes, I picked up on that passive-aggressive dig right away. Interestingly, from my POV, the US gave up a lot of its freedoms to its own government via the Patriot Act. (But that's another discussion entirely).

The truth of the matter is that the goal of American military endeavors frequently has nothing to do with our protection or freedom (see: insuring access to oil fields, for example), and may even make us less safe by inciting bitter anti-American loathing.

Very good point.

Nevertheless, the fact remains that service members and their families make tremendous sacrifices to fulfill the demands of the elected representatives whom we, the people, put in office.

And another.

For me, respect and gratitude toward individuals depend on why they enlisted and how they conducted themselves in the service.

Ditto. I have a friend who served in Vietnam. He told me about a fellow soldier he served with who deliberately went out and found a Vietnamese man to stab. This wasn't in the heat of battle, nor were his intentions at all honourable. He simply wanted to "see what it felt like to kill someone up close, with his hands". The thought of expressing gratitude, (however generic), to someone like that makes me ill.

 

[JMohegan]

Interestingly, from my POV, the US gave up a lot of its freedoms to its own government via the Patriot Act.

Yes, we did.

Ditto. I have a friend who served in Vietnam. He told me about a fellow soldier he served with who deliberately went out and found a Vietnamese man to stab. This wasn't in the heat of battle, nor were his intentions at all honourable. He simply wanted to "see what it felt like to kill someone up close, with his hands". The thought of expressing gratitude, (however generic), to someone like that makes me ill.

Tough to know if he was a murderous bastard to begin with or, as ITW mentioned, driven out of his mind in the service.

Either way, yeah, gratitude's not the emotion he's generating.

 

[Shankara20]

Because I believe that we, the American voters, bear ultimate responsibility for the missions on which they are sent...

Exactly!

I support our troops by supporting anti-war efforts and the least trigger-happy candidates available, with both my time and money.

One of the best things we can do for service members is keep them out of wars. And if we do send them off to war make damn sure they are not raped, males and females, by other US service members, that they get enough pay that there families don't need food stamps, that once they return they are given the very best medical treatments possible (physical, mental and emotional) the rest of their lives - retired or not. And this is just a starting point.

 

[Stella_Omega]

One of the best things we can do for service members is keep them out of wars.

There isn't enough bold in the WORLD to express how much I agree with this.

 

[YourCaptor]

I see where you are coming from K. Veterans shaking hands and shit. I think it's cause we basically have a two class system in the US. Those off fighting a war, and those at home that really don't see it anywhere and don't care.

You get blown into severed pieces one day, the next your in this weird apathetic world.

 

[graceanne]

Also, there are many, many people who “serve” their country who do not get this carte blanc respect despite their selflessness and hard work, and sometimes the risk to life and limb. How about all the volunteers who give up their free time and money to help the less fortunate? How about teachers who have to work with an ever-shrinking school budget and criticism on all sides as they try to educate future generations (sometimes in schools resembling war zones)? How about doctors and nurses who travel to the poorest and most dangerous parts of the world to help the sick and injured? Etc, etc, etc? Why don’t we automatically thank those people the way we do with soldiers?

Not that I don't get your point, because I agree. It would be nice if we took time to thank people who do things for the world that doesn't involve the military. If we had a volunteer day, to commemorate all the people who volunteer time, money, freedoms, liberty, and sometimes their lives to make this world a better place. However, and I can't speak for everyone who does these things, but in my case, and in the case of everyone I know who does this stuff, a thank you would embarrass the heck of them/me. If you are volunteering for the praise, you are doing it for the wrong reason. I know that K dislikes it when people thank him for his service, because he didn't do it for the thanks and honestly, how do you respond to that? But that's beside the point - most people who go into that kind of service go in knowing they'll never receive the thanks of the world (I mean, look at the lack of notice Mother Theresa's death got) and many prefer it that way.

 

[graceanne]

Exactly. Many nations have this problem.

A teacher has a ripple effect which spreads into the rest of society, and that sort of power can be dangerous to future generations.

Denying their importance and position in society (no matter how small) makes me wonder if people walk around with their eyes shut.

Teachers helped shape me into the person I am today. Encouraging and developing my critical thinking skills was a great gift, and I *am* thankful for that.

Also - not disagreeing. My grandparents on my dads side of the family were teachers, and so was my step-grandma. Teaching can be a noble profession.

That said, just as not all soldiers get into to serve their country, neither do all teachers get in to teaching for the right reasons. My kindergarten teacher told me I was too stupid to learn to read, my first grade teacher said I was a hateful brat and would mark my tests wrong, even when they were right. I don't remember my second, third, or fifth grade teachers. My fourth grade teacher was good, and my sixth grade teacher was good, but in seventh grade I had a teacher who would sign stuff for me to take to my mom, and then tell my mom that she hadn't, and that I'd forged her signature. The stories don't get any better from that point on. I'm as unlikely to assume that just because someone is a teacher they deserve thanks as Keroin is to assume a soldier went into the army to serve. In my experience, most teachers get into teaching because they have control issues, and they need to control everything and everyone around them, and when they meet a child who isn't normal (I was being beat routinely by my mother - so sorry!), they do their best to force them into some preset mold they concieved with their words and actions.

 

[the captians wench]

I haven't read all of this, because frankly my antihystomines are kicking in and I'm feeling sleepy.

Most McD's I've worked in have had the policy of giving free food to cops who stop by, if they are in uniform. The idea is that we like having them around. More cops stopping by=less likely to be robbed. That's the theory anyway.

But I've always extended this. I'll also give a free meal to a fire fighter in uniform or soilders again in uniform. It's my way to say "thank you" because if there weren't people out there willing to do the job, more of us who don't want it would have to do it. (hmmm just like those of us willing to serve your $1 cheeseburgers [ungreatful bastsards])

It's not much and I don't make a fuss over it, but it touches my heart to do it, so I do it.

Now my brother is a soldier. I can't tell you how many free meals him and his family have received. Which of course he appreciates, but it also embarrasses him a little. He hates the idea that some one might think that he wears his uniform to get free stuff. Hell I had a hard time getting him to let me buy him "civies" and dinner and I'm his sister! He doesn't do it for honor, or tradition, or to kill people, I don't think he even does it for patriatism. I think he joined the army for the same reason I became an assistant manager for a fast food chain, he needed money and there wasn't much other choice. My brother has never been very book smart and so he felt this would be the only way he could make decient money. May not sound very noble, but I have so much respect for the man my baby brother turned into. He's doing what he must, risking his life to support his family. Every person that does that deserves some credit.

So yeah, I will give a troop a free meal anytime I can get to the button quicker than the girl at the counter can cash him out. And while part of it is to honor what they do, part of it is a hope that some one is out there taking care of my brother in the same way.

Besides, teachers don't wear uniforms, so they're harder to pin point.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

A teacher is only responsible for the community they teach in. A soldier is responsible for every citizen in that country.

I'll have to disagree - vehemently - with this statement, C&D. I went to school in three different cities in Illinois; one in Oklahoma; two in Italy (Dept of Defense schools for dependents); two in Germany (DoD schools); one in San Antonio, Texas; three more in Oklahoma; three (military) schools in California; and two post-secondary schools in Florida. For which *one* of those communities was my education promulgated by those teachers? Which *one* community benefited from my education, when I, after getting that education, lived in three communities in Florida, one in Georgia, two in Tennessee, and now one in South Dakota?

The effect a single teacher has can spread out throughout the world, depending on where his/her students go.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Exactly!

One of the best things we can do for service members is keep them out of wars. And if we do send them off to war make damn sure they are not raped, males and females, by other US service members, that they get enough pay that their families don't need food stamps, that once they return they are given the very best medical treatments possible (physical, mental and emotional) the rest of their lives - retired or not. And this is just a starting point.

There isn't enough bold in the WORLD to express how much I agree with this.

I'll add my agreement on the bolded portion, and add this in relation to the underlined portion.

When I joined the Navy (1967), we were told we would receive free medical care through the Veterans' Administration for the rest of our lives if we received an Honorable Discharge. I did. I no longer get free medical care. I am billed for each doctor/NP visit, each drug I get, each benefit I receive through the VA. Admittedly, the prices I am billed are substantially less than the prices civilians (or their health insurance companies) pay, but they're still more than I can afford, and I damn sure can't afford a health insurance policy since I'm a self-employed independent contractor in my business.

When I started getting VA healthcare, it *was* free. When I had my first, second and third heart attacks, it was still free. Numbers four and five were not. I got bills for my hospital rooms, doctors' services, drugs, stents, etc., etc. I started getting monthly bills for my meds and the other services (CPAP machine, etc.) they provide. I didn't pay them. I couldn't. Now that I'm getting Social Security, based on 50 years of working life, they take out a certain portion of my SS benefit to re-pay VA for those meds and services. Fortunately - at this point, at least - they have to leave a certain amount of my SS benefit for *me.*

We've all - or at least those who keep up with national news have - read about military personnel who have had to apply for and accept food stamps and housing assistance in order to feed and clothe and house their families. There is something inherently *wrong* in that.

Is all the wrong in our world committed toward military and ex-military? Hell, no, and I wouldn't even think of suggesting that. There is, though, a lot of it committed toward honorable military/ex-military, and I hate that. Those who serve in the military should be able to rely on the promises made to them. I did; I can't.

 

[ecstaticsub]

If I am walking through an airport and see a military member in desert uniform I do go up and thank them for their service. Why? Because there is a much better chance that they are like my husband then one of the proportionally few who bring dishonor to the US military.

My husband had his masters degree and was 2 years into a career when he decided it was time to give back to his country. He had always felt it was a citizen's duty to serve some time giving back, but had put it on hold because he wanted to provide for me. When after a couple years of marriage he realized I would follow him anywhere and forever he said it was time.

He entered as an officer. This was before 9/11. We had decided he would do 4 years and then we would go back home. Instead he made it a career and retired after 20 years of service.

I love my military family. We all knew there would be sacrifices but unless you grew up in the military it is impossible to truly understand how those sacrifices will affect you.

We moved about 11 times in 20 years. A general's wife gave a lecture at my first Officer's Wives Club meeting. She said that spouse's will have jobs, but not careers. I laughed at the time. I said "Not me" I won't let my career suffer". She was right, I was wrong.

I was able to get a job in every new town. But when we move to a new base and my husband deploys a month later, my 2 children are under 8 years old and I have no furniture or household goods yet then furthering my career is not a priority.

My husband never killed anyone. But he was never safe. How could he possibly feel safe when he witnessed first hand the sight of American heads floating down a river? How could he feel safe when a co-worker who was returning to base after finishing up a school they had built was blown to bits? How could he feel safe when after working hard to build a school the kids--all girls--excited for their first day showed up to find their teacher dead hanging from the doorway?

I sent my husband care packages. Maybe some food, maybe a Sport's Illustrated..but mostly family pictures. Big pictures of our happy children, of all of us together. I made audio tapes of stories, of our children's voices. All these things that he could listen to and look at so he could sleep at night. Images and sounds to drown out the images he saw repeatedly all day.

He worked 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week for 6 months He was suppose to get time off in the middle but because of sand storms his replacement wasn't able to make it in and then it simply got too busy for him not to work.

He often has said how thankful he is that he married me. He knew that I could take care of myself, our children, our finances, our home without him there and without any family around. At least he didn't have to worry about us...even though he did, because he loved us. Not everyone is so lucky to have a independent spouse at home.

I did have some times of weakness. Once when I hadn't heard from him in over a week (which in these days of email is a long time) and I had to put the cat we had had since we were first married asleep because she was so sick. I also bought a Kirby vacuum cleaner from a traveling salesperson which I never would have done if I wasn't so scared and lonely.

During war time it doesn't get all better when they return home. My husband was in my bed every night safe and sound. But the work load at the home base is overwhelming. "Do more with less" He typically worked 12 hr days, came home ate dinner with us and then worked from home past midnight. Only to get up early to go running to keep his mind and body in shape for the next deployment. For the last 5 years in the military he was on call every weekend. When you are in charge you don't get time off...ever.

Yes, it was a choice for him to go in. Yes, before every chance for a promotion or education he could have made the choice to get out. But the military becomes a family. It's hard to leave that family when you know you can make a difference by staying. It is hard to leave that family when a member has been killed leaving a spouse and children behind.

You pull together because you know the majority of the people in the country have no clue what you are going through.

I hate war. I wish there was a better way. I don't believe every war is necessary. But there is evil in this world. Evil that can not, will not sit down and discuss differences. There is evil who think nothing of raping a mother in front of her children. Or raping a child in front of their parents.

When something evil goes on in the world everyone screams why doesn't somebody do something? Too often the US is looked at to do that something. There is only so much that can be done. It is way too often a "damned if you do, damned if you don't situation"

I could go on and on here...

But one other point. The US military is not just a killing machine. They build schools, they provide food, jobs, education, plumbing, road construction, electrical grids..etc Check out the Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan for just one example.

Most military people don't need your thanks. But a bit of kindness would be appreciated. For example... When my husband was returning from his 2nd deployment he was on a commercial jet. He was still in his desert uniform, obvious to anyone who had a brain that he was returning from a deployment. My children and I were allowed to go through security and meet him at the gate. The kids made a sign welcoming him home. People in the waiting area came up to us and chatted and thanked me. When the plane arrived we watched anxiously as people got off the plane. As we waited and waited someone asked me if I was sure he was on this plane. I don't know if someone not in this position can really understand but until I could feel him in my arms again the fact that he made it back alive still wasn't real. Finally he walked out and an audible sigh of relief went up from the people who had stayed to watch. My husband may have been embarrassed but all I felt was relief and pride.

The question is would it have hurt anyone on that plane to have waited a couple of minutes to allow my husband off first? If I had been on that plane I would have asked the flight attendant to allow the returning member disembark before me.

 

[Keroin]

That said, just as not all soldiers get into to serve their country, neither do all teachers get in to teaching for the right reasons.

Absolutely, which is my point. Thanks and respect, for me, are earned.

And, unrelated, sorry to hear you had such crappy teachers. Makes me thankful I had the very opposite experience!

Those who serve in the military should be able to rely on the promises made to them.

To me, this would seem like a far better way for the country to thank their military men and women.



ES, I have read parts of your story on this board many times. From your account, it sounds as if your husband joined the military with honourable intentions and carried out his duties admirably. Add to that the support and dedication you provided. In your case, gratitude is indeed warranted and you should both be very proud of what you've done.

And please realize I am not denigrating the military (I know there is both good and bad within that entity), nor am I suggesting that the work done by its members is not valuable.

But you've mentioned something in your post that I think touches on the heart of this discussion:

He had always felt it was a citizen's duty to serve some time giving back...

There are thousands of ways for a citizen to serve their country. From the people who collect garbage to ensure our cities are free from disease and pests, to the engineers who strive to make the structures around us safer and more energy efficient, to the farmers who grow our food, the activists that fight for things like clean drinking water and fair labour laws, those who volunteer overseas (teaching, building homes, providing healthcare, etc) who spread goodwill between nations. There is no hierarchy in my mind, everyone's service is equally valuable.

Yet, there is this idea that soldiers "serve" and civilians "work" and there is a very clear distinction between the two. I disagree with this. I do not believe citizens have a duty to join the military. I believe citizens should serve their country how they choose. If that choice is to serve as a soldier, fantastic. If it's to serve as a farmer? Also fantastic.

The question is would it have hurt anyone on that plane to have waited a couple of minutes to allow my husband off first? If I had been on that plane I would have asked the flight attendant to allow the returning member disembark before me.

No, but I don't think this is a lack of disrespect for the military, this is simply a general lack of empathy - something that resonates through all aspects of our society. But don't forget, for those who have not been in the military or do not have loved ones who have been in the military, it is highly likely they do not understand your fears and anxiety - or even that the man in uniform might have a very worried wife waiting for him. They haven't "been there" and, thus, their behaviour stems from ignorance, not necessarily a lack of kindness. You would have let the man in uniform off first because you "get it".

 

[ecstaticsub]

ES, I have read parts of your story on this board many times. From your account, it sounds as if your husband joined the military with honourable intentions and carried out his duties admirably. Add to that the support and dedication you provided. In your case, gratitude is indeed warranted and you should both be very proud of what you've done.

And please realize I am not denigrating the military (I know there is both good and bad within that entity), nor am I suggesting that the work done by its members is not valuable.

But you've mentioned something in your post that I think touches on the heart of this discussion:



There are thousands of ways for a citizen to serve their country. From the people who collect garbage to ensure our cities are free from disease and pests, to the engineers who strive to make the structures around us safer and more energy efficient, to the farmers who grow our food, the activists that fight for things like clean drinking water and fair labour laws, those who volunteer overseas (teaching, building homes, providing healthcare, etc) who spread goodwill between nations. There is no hierarchy in my mind, everyone's service is equally valuable.

Yet, there is this idea that soldiers "serve" and civilians "work" and there is a very clear distinction between the two. I disagree with this. I do not believe citizens have a duty to join the military. I believe citizens should serve their country how they choose. If that choice is to serve as a soldier, fantastic. If it's to serve as a farmer? Also fantastic.

I don't and neither does my husband feel that citizens have a duty to serve in the military. We believe for ourselves that it is important to contribute to society above and beyond what we do as a career. I am in healthcare. I work days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. That provides a service to those people who get sick on Christmas or have a baby in the middle of the night. But it is not the same as serving in the military. The ways of serving you mentioned are all valuable. I don't disagree.

But the military is different. Maybe it is the 24/7 aspect of it, maybe it is because of the danger, the disruption to family life, the inability to just quit and go home. Maybe it is because military members follow orders. Maybe it is the Yes, Sir, Yes Ma'am formality. Or maybe it feels like service to our country because the boss, the Commander in Chief is The President of the United States.

Or maybe it is all this combined and so much more. Maybe that's it. The military there are so many varied things that the military does. We provide schools and teachers, we do medical research, we provide food, we provide protection, we partner with other nations to teach the ideas of a free press.

I hesitated to post on this thread because I knew I would be unable to adequately explain my point. I'm not on Lit because I am a writer, I am here to read the kinky stories.

So I know I am not explaining my point as well I would like. Perhaps only a military member can understand why there is a difference.

No, but I don't think this is a lack of disrespect for the military, this is simply a general lack of empathy - something that resonates through all aspects of our society. But don't forget, for those who have not been in the military or do not have loved ones who have been in the military, it is highly likely they do not understand your fears and anxiety - or even that the man in uniform might have a very worried wife waiting for him. They haven't "been there" and, thus, their behaviour stems from ignorance, not necessarily a lack of kindness. You would have let the man in uniform off first because you "get it".

They should understand. The fact that the majority of people don't "get it" or even try to understand frustrates me more then I can say.