When name calling hits home!

[armymp119]

I have a question to ask. I would like to ask all the vets that fought in all the wars and conflicts, police actions and fought the good fight for freedom. I do not mean to bring up any painful times but I really need to know how to deal with this. I got back about three months ago from the sand box, and in light of the recent operation over there me and my wife have been called all types of names. The MP / US Army and surport the troops stickers have been ripped off our truck. I have been called a thing that I can not bring myself to say. I know in my heart I and my brothers and sisters are doing the right thing. I hope that this is not out of bounds for "THR" if so please delete this post with my complete apoliges I in no way mean to cause any hard feelings.

Thank you

 

[odysseus]

That is messed up what people can do. No matter what you feel about what we are doing and why in Iraq, people should support the soldiers who do as the people bid, and be respectful. Where are you experiencing this?

 

[DKSuddeth]

The great thing about this country is that people have the freedom of speech. The bad thing about this country is you come across a bunch of idiots that will never realize that you are part of the reason they have that right.

There are some people you just can't do anything about. Don't let it mess with your head. You have to write them off as ignoramous F*(Ktards

 

[armymp119]

I live in R.I. just came back from Ft. Hood TX

 

[V4Vendetta]

I'm not sure what to say. I've never been in any branch of the military so I couldn't give any tips. You have my sympathy . I suppose that's worthless though.

 

[orangeninja]

Personally, If I see someone calling a trooper names while I'm around, if I'm off duty and out of uniform, me and Mr. Name Caller are gonna have words.

Sorry to hear that happen. Come back to Texas where we treat soldiers with the respect they deserve.

 

[Standing Wolf]

There's never been a shortage of name callers. In general, the more vile the names being flung about, the smaller the "mind" behind them.

 

[JesseJames]

Hey, is that small PX still there on Battalion Avenue next to that Popeye's Restaurant?
Howdy, I'm a 1st Cav vet but not a combat vet. Never got the call.
It is very disconcerting to hear of your experiences being back home.
If they are young people denigrating and disparaging you then you should forgive them. They are young and dumb. These two states usually coincide in the same body. Sometimes it has to do with their "higher" education (leftist colleges).
If it is older adults it is even more discouraging. An initial reaction would be that they are ex-hippy morons whose drug-addled brains prevent them from clear rationale.
I've noticed many things about civilians given that I was former military. The vast majority of them are incredibly ignorant of the military. Most if not all of their "knowledge" comes from movies.
Don't take it too personal. They are wastes-of-air that don't deserve the freedoms that they enjoy or take for granted.
Any rational person would ask "How was it over there?", and wait and patiently listen to your answer.
Any invectives shouted at you is the expression of a feeble mind.
Peace.

 

[BIGJACK]

I am a vet.

I find it hard to believe that any adult would go to the extreme of calling you a disrespectful name or pull stuff off your truck. But, unfortunately there are those who would. Be assured that they are in the vast minority anyplace in this country.

I do not approve of the war in Iraq but I respect those who are there doing their job and dying daily, at the "wim" of their poorly informed commander and chief.:banghead: I personnally have a "God Bless our Troops" ribbon on my car and truck and pray daily for their safe return.

 

[bg]

Thanks for your service and glad you got back ok. I'm a vet and am
proud of what you and fellow team members did and are doing. Best wishes !

Far as the ones who are giving you a bad time, just remember
there are 1000's + that hope nothing but the very best
for you and your loved ones.

 

[MinMAN]

Veterans, regardless of their service, are unappreciated by the spineless, who would never choose to serve for any reason. Just remember, for every one of the ignorant POSs, there are way more of us who are thankfully for all that served our country.

Welcome home, and we are grateful for a job well done!

 

[Tiny in Ohio]

I served during the first romp around the sand box. Was never in arena, but was overseas performing support operations. It does not take a rocket scientist to know who is the better person. You served your country, and should have the utmost pride in your actions. The people calling names are the ones who will not even walk past a recruiters office, as they are scared of being asked to perform what we have. So keep your chin up, and know you are the bigger, better person.

I for one thank you for your service, you should be proud that you enable to a$$holes to run their mouth. I think the small minded people who do not support the war that is their option. But to flap their piehole about having our troops over there, that is less than assinine. The troops have a hard enough time, but when they know their own countrymen are not behind them it makes it that much harder to perform our duties.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

Bring out the chlorine. The gene pool's getting turpid.

 

[foghornl]

Armymp:

We will probably never meet, so let me say this instead...

Should we ever cross paths, I will give you the most sincere "THANK YOU!", a warm handshake, and a big sweeping tip of the hat for your service.

And a hot cuppa joe on me!

 

[Old Fuff]

I know in my heart I and my brothers and sisters are doing the right thing.

We know that too.

Unfortunately there is some despicable left-wing trash out there whose mouth is only exceeded by their cowardice. They have no value, and are indeed worthless. They believe in freedom (for themselves) so long as they don't have to defend it. The only thing they'll ever defend is their right to a free ride.

Always remember that this country, and the people living in it, will only remain free as long as we have armed forces made up of men and women like you - and your brothers and sisters under arms.

Never think for a second that you're critics will ever be of any consequence, and treat them that way.

 

[Sindawe]

I concur with BIGJACK. Personally I feel that the execution of the "War on Terra" is one of the gravest mistakes this nation has made in its history. That said, the men and women who are putting their bodies and lives on the line are deserving of the utmost respect for their service.

As for your detractors armymp119. Next time you are accosted by the nit-wits, ask 'em how come there are here safely in the U.S. harassing you and not following the example of one Rachel Corrie?

 

[Foxtrot427]

People make me sick. They themselves are probably too week as a person to do what you have done for this country. I praise you for that, sir! Absolutley dont lay down and take it. You will find you would have to support of the people around you and possibly the police. I know if I saw some little s**t do that...well...lets just say, its hard to talk through a broken jaw.

 

[CrazyIrishman]

Armymp,


It annoys me to no end of the disrespect shown to OUR TROOPS! If someone disagrees with the war thats one thing, but to shout abuses and deface personal property is unforgiveable IMO!


I appreciate the service and sacrifices that ALL of our men and women in the military have given to this country . (even the REMF's and pogies)

I was never in the service but it wasn't for lack of trying. Most of my family was in at one time or another. One of my nephews was in 1st Cav during GW #1 as a crew chief from Ft. Hood.


Best wishes for you and your family!

CI

PS: Sorry you had to run into a spineless '**** ! A few people I know don't care for the war, BUT ALL of US SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!

 

[Janitor]

This was happening a lot during/after Viet Nam. It seemed that there was no end to the a$$hats that were crawling out from dark slimey places showing such profound disrespect for our men returning from overseas.

I say this crap all the time - but the irony of it always amazes me.

The very rights and freedoms you and your brothers and sisters are out there standing up for are those that allow these moronic left wing freeloaders to get away with calling you the things they do.

Thank you for your service to our country. I really do appreciate it - honestly. I wouldn't live the life I do if it weren't for you and people like you. Show up here & I'll pick up the bar tab.

 

[Sam]

armymp119,
You are just going to have to derive the self satisfaction of having done right, whether it is appreciated or not. Lots of turds floating in this bowl called America. Do what you do with any turd, flush 'em. Their opinion counts for nothing.

In a more enlightened era, we used to dispense lessons in manners where appropriate and punctuate them with a black eye. Unfortunatly, what honor demands the law does not allow.

Stand tall and know yourself for a better man.

"I am that which others did not want to be, I went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do....................

Sam

 

[depicts]

Thank You armymp119

armymp, I am a Vietnam combat vet, and I can bet I know what the word was you were called, because I heard it myself dozens of times. Things got really sucky after 1968. The military advised us not to travel in uniform. I have stood with a bunch of old friends in front of the ice cream place we used to hang at, and had them spit on me, call me that babykiller crap, and more than I care to remember. The in thing then was to protest the war, but it ended up protesting the soldiers.

I got stationed in Boston, working at the AFEES (Armed Forces Entrance Examination Station ) where they sent all the draft boards for their physicals. I'll never forget the day the draft board sent in about 200 guys from Norwood, Dedham and Walpole, from the class of 68, maybe the last year of the draft. I had been about a year ahead of these guys, and knew many of them.

They started chanting Hey Hey LBJ, how many kids did you kill today!!! And then there was that old favorite....One Two Three Four, we don't want you F*****g war. Real nice stuff. I don't even know if they knew LBJ wasn't president any more!

In short, I sympathize with you my brother. You deserve respect. At the beginning of this war service people were getting respept. It seems it's gone on too long now, and the country has lost their stomach for it. As for me, when I started seeing those "American and Proud", and "We support our Troops" stickers on cars, it just made me mad, because I knew most of the people who bought them did so because it was the in thing, and for 99cents they could feel like hero's. But I remembered what the people really thought about us when I came home. If they really supported their troops, you wouldn't be getting called names, and people around you wouldn't let it happen. You shouldn't have to fight when you get home too.

Because of that kind of treatment, many Vietnam vets hid away, didn't talk about being veterans, and now 30 years later their lives are shattered by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, amplified by being called baby killer and spit at by old friends.

I go to Rhode Island every week to a group of Combat Vets who meet to discuss our emotional problems due to those times, and how to cope with present day life. I don't know how well you know Providence, but check out the VA Hospital at Chalkstone Ave. Go to Building 14, the PTSD center. Ask Evelyn at the desk where to go to talk it out, to get some help, or just strike up a conversation with some guys sitting in chairs waiting to see the docs. Whether they are world war II or Korean or Vietnam or Desert Storm 1 Vets, we all love each other and help each other. Talk to some other vets, especiall some Nam vets who went through the same crap you did.

God Bless you man. If you want to talk to me, e mail me through this with your phone number and name and I'll call you. Maybe I'll see you at Building 14

God Bless

Bill

Edited to add that combat and firefights and using guns against people makes this a gun thread, I hope. Moderators, give this young man a break and let this post stand and well talk about M4's OK?

 

[SkyDaver]

thanks, thanks, thanks

Armymp, I'm sorry about the jerks that have given you a hard time; there are a LOT of Americans, both veterans and non-vets, that sincerely appreciate what you and your fellow soldiers, sailors and Marines are doing, regardless of our opinion of the war.

If you ever find yourself down near central NC (Ft. Bragg, maybe), give me a shout. I should have my M1 by then, and have it in shooting condition, and I'll take you out to the range and show you what a REAL battle rifle is

For your service, I'm even willing to be seen with a soldier (sez the former US Navy diver)

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

You must understand that these people who call you and your wife names, rip off the stickers from your car only hear the news from the "left wing Media"They are not told the accurate picture as a whole. The media is not interested in how many roads are built, wells that are dug, schools built, communities placed on it's feet ect..
You have done a good job. Thank you for your service to your country. For every person who sneers at you there are one hundred that don't.

 

[XavierBreath]

Armymp:

Thank you for your service and your wife's sacrifice.

There are some in this country that do not deserve your service or her sacrifice. Tell them to go to hell and be proud of yourself. Some people will never understand. Do not waste your time trying to explain. Just go on with life. God knows, you have earned it.

Thank you.

 

[CAnnoneer]

People tend to mix things in their minds. They hate A, A is associated with B, so they hate B. WoT and GWB's administration have got half the country barking mad with helpless anger. Then, it is inevitable that there would be a few extremes several sigma away from the mean. It is easy for them to associate soldiers doing their duty with the policies and politicians who sent them in harm's way in the first place. "Support our troops" then is viewed as "support our foreign policies" etc.

Incidentally, the above behavior is completely analogous to those on the other side of the political spectrum who construe and interpret any criticism of the administration as an attack on America or on the US troops. Then, instead of sticker ripping, people get frothy comments like " Why do you hate America?" and "Why do you hate our soldiers?"

Clearly, there is mental trash and/or intellectual dishonesty on both sides.