All day long today I’ve heard about our latest milestone in Iraq in the MSM. No, not that their draft constitution has been ratified, that America has lost 2,000 men and women to the war. I understand that this might be news to some, but seeing it on the television, hearing it on the radio, and reading it in the papers is bothering me. The fact that these brave Americans were killed in the line of duty, fighting for freedom, is not a milestone. Ratifying a constitution in a country that has lived in the shadow of a tyrant for many years is.

I’m appalled at those who would push their agenda by lumping the sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, farmers, carpenters, pilots, lawyers, brothers, sisters, students, painters, writers, husbands, wives, soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen, and coast guardsmen into a number in a headline. In my world we honor each individual for his or her sacrifice in defending our way of life. We thank them and pray for them and the families they left behind, we remember them with honor and then we pull up our boot straps, lock and load, and make damn sure their deaths were not in vain and never do we refer to any of them as a number. But that is my world.

Support the Troops but Not the War.
I’ve heard this mantra many times and I can understand where some might see nothing wrong with such a statement. From a soldier’s perspective (mine), supporting one without the other doesn’t work. A soldier goes to war believing in what he or she is doing. We don’t pick up arms to fight an unjust war, ever. It is the core of the American soldier and what makes our Army the greatest in the world. By supporting the troops but not the war, you are discounting our beliefs, our values. We don’t like war. We aren’t a bunch of brainwashed, imbecilic war mongers. We are warriors who believe that when our nation calls, it is for a just cause. And we answer that call for we will always support America and defend our way of life. Always. So when Americans don’t support what we are doing for them, then from a soldier’s perspective (again, mine), they aren’t supporting the troops either. Sgt Hook out.

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Posted by Hook @ 0121 zulu | | Permalink
This post is filed under: Soap Box

Lintefiniel Musing linked with Hook on War and Support
fredschoeneman.com linked with Brandon K. Sneed
Seven Inches of Sense linked with Flag Waving Patriot

Flag Waving Patriot

I have a question…since when did flag waving become a bad thing? Since when did believing in your country, even when things look grim, become a negative trait in an American? Since when did standing behind the people you…

Trackback by Seven Inches of Sense — 27 October 2005 @ 0219

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You stated, very eloquently, what I have been feeling in my heart all along.

Stating “I support the troops but not the war” is a cop-out. Purely and simply.

xoxo

Comment by Margi — 27 October 2005 @ 0305

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Brandon K. Sneed

I’m hearing a lot about the 2,000th US serviceman to die in Iraq, and what a milestone that will be in the success of the pro-fascist anti-war movement. But these men are more than statistics to me. I don’t know…

Trackback by fredschoeneman.com — 27 October 2005 @ 0444

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Sarge,

Same old crap from the lefties. When I was in Nam in ‘70 it took us about 4 months to loose 2,000 of our heros. Now, somehow, having that happen is 3 years is terrible!

I’ll telll you what I find terrible—-that the majority of Americans no longer think that freedom is worth fighting for. That is the only reason for this insanity that I can come up with.

Thank you to our troops for a job VERY well done and to all those that support them. Keep it up so we can finish the job.

Comment by Rich Dahlen — 27 October 2005 @ 1518

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I can’t agree with you that all soldiers who fight believe in what they fight for. That’s not saying most don’t, but I actually know a few soldiers who send news to their family/friends and their messages have been to the tune of “I’m doing my JOB for my country, but I don’t want to be here.”

Being a soldier is not a fun job necessarily, and some people are pretty much forced to go into that area of occupation to get through life. It’s very respectable and I fully support their choice to try and make their lives better in the long run. But you can’t say that all soldiers decide the moment they enlist that they believe in what they fight for. If you were looking for a way to pay for college for example, it looks like the perfect deal, unless there is a war.

I DO support our troops but not this war. I am glad we’ve ousted Hussein’s regime (though under false pretenses), but it’s time to FOCUS on training Iraqis at a much higher rate than letting them figure things out for themselves.

We should not let the media pound this ‘milestone’ into everything, but it should be on our minds. Also, the mention of Vietnam by another poster is moot. Vietnam was a much larger war, and had a much higher rate of death because of it. 2000 deaths is a lot for a war that was declared “mission accomplished” 2 years ago [what was accomplished again?].

So basically, yes it is possible to support troops and not the war. I don’t support any stupid coverage of the ‘milestone’ aspect of it either. I do support the troops and I hope that they stay safe, but it’s time to leave things to the Iraqis, and let THEM fight for their freedom.

Comment by Ryan — 27 October 2005 @ 1552

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Hook on War and Support

I can't say it any better than the good Sgt Hook: Support the Troops but Not the War. I’ve heard this mantra many times and I can understand where some might see nothing wrong with such a statement. From a soldier’s perspective (mine),…

Trackback by Lintefiniel Musing — 27 October 2005 @ 1651

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Ryan said:
I can’t agree with you that all soldiers who fight believe in what they fight for. That’s not saying most don’t, but I actually know a few soldiers who send news to their family/friends and their messages have been to the tune of “I’m doing my JOB for my country, but I don’t want to be here.” end quote

That may be true but it doesn’t change the fact that a soldier raised his/her right hand knowing the risks. IF, indeed, a soldier got in thinking he would never be deployed, he has been childish and irresponsible. Further more it is no reason to say “I support the troops but not the war”. If you are against the war, you are against the very troops that are for the war.

And then again…you are entitled to your opinion. Your freedom to speak your mind is still in place.

Proudly serving; Sgt Lori

Comment by Sgt Lori Fields — 28 October 2005 @ 0025

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Can’t tell you the number of times I’ve argued the point with people that the two are not mutually exclusive of one another. I will never understand those that say they support the Military but not the mission. And when pressed for an answer, I have yet to hear a cogent explanation from anyone as to *how* they support one and not the other.

Sgt Lori, I also thank you for your service to our Country! Stay safe.

Comment by Gypsy — 28 October 2005 @ 0336

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The sad thing is - I know all 19 of the 9/11 hijackers BY NAME - yet the only soldiers I know by name are Pat Tillman…and??? And he died in Afghanistan. I know the mother of a soldier who was killed in Iraq. I didn’t know her before the war. I have no family in the military. But I did hear her on Hugh Hewitt’s radio show last year and she was DEVASTATED by a certain presidential candidate who kept calling it ‘the wrong war, the wrong place, the wrong time.’ I reached out to that mother in Nebraska and she has shown me more dignity and grace than anyone I have known. Her son was in Iraq less than 5 days - and he went willingly to fight for our freedom. In our culture - the media magnifies celebrity and fame and they ignore true heroes. My son believes our soldiers are heroes. He met this soldier’s mother and when he wrote in school the best part of his summer - he wrote ‘meeting Corey’s Mom.’ We were at Six Flags when we met her (at the Freedom Concert) and yet meeting HER was the highlight of his summer. I’m proud to know her, humbled to learn about her son and grateful for his sacrifice to my freedom. I’m glad my son knows what a true hero looks like for he has met the mother of a hero and that is something he will never forget.

Comment by Kathleen A — 28 October 2005 @ 0620

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Oh goodness that was an eloquent soapbox! And one that I’ve not been able to put into words until you inspired me this morning.

I’m a novice at this blogging thing and I’m not sure how to do the trackback gizmo, I’d probably mess it up. But I’ve left you and all our brave warriors a small gesture of my gratitude over at Redneck’s Revenge, with my thanks to Toby Keith for giving me the words.

Comment by Texas Gal — 29 October 2005 @ 1630

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AAAAAAA — Mennnnnnnnn!!!!!!

Comment by Arnie — 30 October 2005 @ 0101

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I’m visitin’ because TexasLady told me to visit… Nice place you got here. It’s worth a regular stop, which I intend to do. We lost a city native two days ago, Capt. Michael MacKinnon to an IED.

God Rest his soul, and God Bless all the men and women still doing what’s been asked of them. I’m proud to be an American because of those I left behind 36 years ago, and I’m no less proud now.

Comment by Cap'n DOC — 30 October 2005 @ 0441

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i googled for something completely different, but found your page… and have to say thanks. nice blog!

Comment by Otaro — 29 November 2005 @ 2204

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