Define 'support our troops'

[Locutus]

If you can. Thank you.

You know, such as:

You hope they come home safe to their families.
You send them a Tim Horton's gift certificate.
You hope they complete their objective.
You write them letters of encouragement.


But maybe, you think that wishing them well is akin to supporting the government of the day. Or, you think it's trendy to wear fashionably colourful ribbons and wristbands.

Remember, this is a volunteer military we have. I'll classify 'troops' as being just that, men and women that choose to enlist in the Canadian military with the knowledge (these days especially) that they may be placed in harm's way.

Now, if some folk 'support' our troops, this implies that some folk do not. Else, why would there be a ruckass in some towns like Toronto? Maybe a large ribbon needs to be hung from the CN Tower or their provincial legislature. I personally cannot fathom anyone not supporting their troops, but let's assume there are some of those types out there for a moment. What exactly do they support against our troops? Do they wish that they will die? Or, do they use this as a way to protest their unhappiness with the ruling government of the day? Thus, using the troops as a pawn, a proxy, in their efforts to have their voice heard? If so, they need to find a more mature way of sharing their angst. I'd like to see all troops home safe, and sooner than later. If you do not support these young people, then write them a letter at their base in Kandahar to let them know how much you despise their efforts.

OP ATHENA - Kandahar, Afghanistan

Any Canadian Forces Member
OP ATHENA
PO BOX 5058 STN FORCES
BELLEVILLE ON K8N 5W6

 

[gopher]

First, welcome to the Forum.

Second, my way of supporting the troops is to say BRING THEM HOME, NOW!!

 

[Locutus]

Thanks for the welcome.

Bringing troops home can be an easy thing to say. Of course, all parents and families wish their loved-ones to be home too. Truth is that troops have been and are deployed for various reasons around the globe, regardless of nationality. If they cannot support them, especially in a volunteer army, I have know use for them.

Wonder what might have happened if the bring-them-homes were allowed to succeed during the second world war. And we didn't even know what Hitler was actually doing. We all wish they were home too but reality cannot be wished away. They do the job that some of the bring-'em-homes will always cower-away from.

 

[Unforgiven]

It seems that "Support Our Troops" has become more of a weapon to bash some political opponent than anything else.

Supporting Our Troops to me means being vocal about making sure that those people fighting on our behalf have the tools they need to do the job right. That while they are away, we'll look out for their families and see that there is a home life for them to come back to. And should they die in service to our country and myself, it is my duty to make sure that those in charge on this side of the war, do the right thing by them.

Personaly I find that money becomes no object when I'm about to die. When my wife or kids are at stake, I don't care about the costs, I'll deal with that later, I just want them safe and with me in good health. So I don't think I can moraly hold my head up should someone who is going into harms way to restore order to chaos on my behalf run into problems because of supplies or lack of money.

Does anyone remember why they are over in Afghanistan?

 

[thomaska]

It seems that "Support Our Troops" has become more of a weapon to bash some political opponent than anything else.

You're absolutely correct here. However it works both ways. Here in the states the right and left have the same arguments about who supports the troops more. When all of us in military know for a fact that they don't give a damn about us. It is all about the votes, and it is all about saying whatever needs to be said to get into or stay in power.

And the fact that we put up with it boggles me too. Sometimes I really wonder if civilian control of the military ought not be suspended when it becomes obvious that the politicians "aren't watching the show anymore, and are just fighting over the remote"

 

[eh1eh]

Displaying a little emblem on the back of a vehicle is not supporting the troops it's supporting your ego. "Good for me I have a sticker that says I support the troops therefore people will like me" Why not do some of the things mentioned above then you can feel good about yourself. Car sticker or not.

 

[BitWhys]

...If they cannot support them, especially in a volunteer army, I have know[sic] use for them...

kind of the long way around, but at least you're honest.

 

[Kreskin]

Toronto was an example of political grandstanding. Municipal politicians should be concerned about land use/development/taxation, business development , public safety and transportation, not national affairs. To question a yellow ribbon program - how unpatriotic (possibly evil and without conscience). Even the mayor of Winnipeg jumped in with both feet to squirrel away some political nuts.

 

[BitWhys]

... how unpatriotic (possibly evil and without conscience)...

funny thing about war. its makes people treat patriotism like its some sort of higher calling.

 

[Walter]

I pray for them and for their enemies, although the prayers are not the same for both groups.

 

[BitWhys]

I pray for them and for their enemies, although the prayers are not the same for both groups.

The church I attend these days has a nasty habit of using that stupid "protect them as they protect us" (boy is THAT ever loaded) internet mailer prayer every week but whether a prayer for peace is included in the mix is hit and miss. I just shake my head.

 

[thomaska]

Funny thing about Patriotism, it sure annoys the un-patriotic.

 

[BitWhys]

Funny thing about Patriotism, it sure annoys the un-patriotic.

What's even funnier is that over the last two days the people defending the yellow ribbon campaign have been insisting its not about patriotism at all. This whole thing would be less absurd if the warmongers could pick a horse for a change.

 

[Kreskin]

Funny thing about Patriotism, it sure annoys the un-patriotic.

That's classic stuff. You either support the spending of other peoples money on yellow ribbons or your unpatriotic. The politicians love that sort of division. That's why they do it. One must be with the terrorists if they don't hop on their political spending campaign. Good vs evil all that shlock.

 

[ottawabill]

Support our troops...

1. Support their families while they are gone.

• by way of government services
• Supporting organizations that help the families left behind. physical and emotional support
• email to a member of our Armed forces or family

2. Support for wounded Soldiers

• A wounded soldiers familyshould not have to worry about anything except getting their family member back on their feet.

3. Support for killed troop family

• all funeral expenses paid...full beneifts for suviving families

We expect this for other first response people..police, fire fighters etc... the Armed forces are another first response unit...There are ordered to do hard jobs and their duty driven ideals gives then the courage to go.

Talk to someone in the service....none have gone to kill people..all are hoping to make a difference. They are making that difference even if our government spends little to no time telling the public about the good things that come out of our service.

 

[tracy]

Are you allowed to do that "Any armed forces member" thing anymore? You aren't allowed to do it for the US military.

I don't have a yellow ribbon or a yellow bracelet or a yellow sticker on my car. I've never been to a support the troops rally. I am completely apolitical down here. But, I do write to my marine. I talk to him on the phone when he calls me and I look forward to seeing him when he gets back. It wouldn't mean as much for me to write to someone I've never met.

 

[Walter]

Another way I support the troops is by voting Conservative.

 

[ottawabill]

U.S.A.
http://www.usafns.com/email.shtml

Canada
http://www.dnd.ca/site/Community/Messageboard/index_e.asp

 

[damngrumpy]

Supporting the troops means a lot of things. If we were to bring the home right now we would be sending a hell of lot more over there in the future. It no longer matters who started it or whether it was a good idea, or any other excuse, fact is we have big trouble in the most troubled region in the world. Was I in favor of going there in the first place? Afghanistan yes, Iraq no.
Afghanistan is only partly a NATO Mission, it is actually sanctioned by the United Nations, and administered by NATO. The Taliban was a threat, not so much as a national power, but as an internation terror organization with political influence, protected by a nation.
Iraq was a dictatorship established by the United States and originally supported by America, until Saddam decided to take power into his own hands.
Well thinking about it, America also set up the rebel basis in Afghanistan and paid for the arms to fight the Russians and those same rebels now relabelled terrorists are Americas pain.
None the less and no thanks to America the Taliban needed to be removed.
Supporting the troops means we respect what they are doing and when they come home, the injured should be looked after and those who need jobs and retraining should get their full measure due to them.
Brining them home and then asking them to go back again to take the same territory twice would not be supporting the troops, and while I don't like what I see, I realize we are in a quandry with no easy answers

 

[JBeee]

Support our troops when they have no idea why..or good reason for, being there?
I think not. The Taliban done fu*k-all to initiate Canada`s presence over there.
Enough of them have given their lives for no good reason.

Fu*k 9/11. The US had it coming to them from the get-go.

Weather dragged home by the scruff of their necks or carried home in body-bags makes no difference to me as long as our leaders continue to kiss US ass by doing their dirty work.:canada: