[Pink_Floydfan91]

I know I am not that this act makes mad... I got written up for telling people off for not standing for the pledge at school. They told me I was wrong because I told them that they need more respect for the men and women who sacrifice a lot, and many have given the ultimate one. I don't get why they don't get why they should respect anyone in uniform. I know what its like to have someone in the service die, and there is a chance I could die while I am in the Army.

[colbylsmith]

apparently there was a rash of flag vandalism yesterday...saw it on FoxNews.com this morning.

Sad stuff. I saw an army personnel sing the National Anthem at the Braves game yesterday. My wife and I both had chill bumps and tears in our eyes.

[Pink_Floydfan91]

Originally Posted by colbylsmith

apparently there was a rash of flag vandalism yesterday...saw it on FoxNews.com this morning.

Sad stuff. I saw an army personnel sing the National Anthem at the Braves game yesterday. My wife and I both had chill bumps and tears in our eyes.

That is really messed up. I have had family in every American war so its a family pride thing, and as you all know I ship out to Fort Knox for basic in 2 months.

[Stangmaster]

Originally Posted by Pink_Floydfan91

That is really messed up. I have had family in every American war so its a family pride thing, and as you all know I ship out to Fort Knox for basic in 2 months.

My German half of my family came over in 1917, and even though my great uncle was only 17 and had an accent, he fought on the front lines in WWI.
He was gassed at The Marne, and suffered pneumonia like symptoms until he left us in 1969. The man suffered for his new country.
In WWII, my second cousin, 19, was killed climbing the cliffs at Normandy.
In Korea, a first cousin was shot 4 times.
In Viet Nam, No, I can't. It still hurts.

WE fought for the right these punks have to burn the flag. We fought for them not to show respect to flag and country. I don't want special treatment, but please, please honor the ones who came home permanantly disfiguereed. The ones that can not support themselves because of the demons. The ones that came home in boxes, some the size of a shoebox. The ones still missing. THEY are what this Holiday is for, it is not a reason to drunk out and destroy property.They have the right, but it is said discretion is the better part of valor, so those of you who stood up, those of you who did the Pledge, keep showing by example.
I share your indignation, and may they someday have a son or daughter to worry about in battle.

[Pink_Floydfan91]

Originally Posted by Stangmaster

My German half of my family came over in 1917, and even though my great uncle was only 17 and had an accent, he fought on the front lines in WWI.
He was gassed at The Marne, and suffered pneumonia like symptoms until he left us in 1969. The man suffered for his new country.
In WWII, my second cousin, 19, was killed climbing the cliffs at Normandy.
In Korea, a first cousin was shot 4 times.
In Viet Nam, No, I can't. It still hurts.

WE fought for the right these punks have to burn the flag. We fought for them not to show respect to flag and country. I don't want special treatment, but please, please honor the ones who came home permanantly disfiguereed. The ones that can not support themselves because of the demons. The ones that came home in boxes, some the size of a shoebox. The ones still missing. THEY are what this Holiday is for, it is not a reason to drunk out and destroy property.They have the right, but it is said discretion is the better part of valor, so those of you who stood up, those of you who did the Pledge, keep showing by example.
I share your indignation, and may they someday have a son or daughter to worry about in battle.

The ones in my family I know the most about are my mom's step father and step grandfather, my grandfather, dad, uncle and great grandfather. My mom's step grandfather was a WWII vet, my moms stepfather a Vietnam vet. My Grandfather William whom I shared a name with for 15 years of my life was a Korea, and Nam vet. My Dad and Uncle were both in Iraq the first time we went in. My Great Grandfather Roger who I get my middle name from worked for the US Government during WWII in the Manhattan Project and wired 3 of the A bomb fuses. Then there is me, I want to serve my country for at least 20 years, or if worst case die defending it.

[Sprocket]

Didnt your family fight/die for these few peoples right to sit instead of stand?(or even burn flags?)
Who exactly are you honoring? Your family or the oppressors?
You cant fight for freedom and then bitch when people exercise their rights to use those freedoms.
And if you are gonna bitch about it...then why are you in this again????

Just be cool man, dont let this affect you and your freedom, just let it reinforce your nationalism/patriotism.

[Stangmaster]

It is a lot like being a cop.
When there is no problem, they call you pig, fuzz, SOB, "all cops are scum," You know the deal.
But if their car is in an accident, or their house broken into, or any of ten thousand other things that are unpleasant happen, who do they call? You, ya worthless bastard. And you have to "be professional" and ignore the BS.
So when things get tough, they want to send in soldiers, and when you are done, call you a baby killer, or a puppet of the government.
But, you know the truth. You protected them and their right to be jerks.
There are those who really do care, it is only a small minority of the population that is sick.

[Pink_Floydfan91]

Originally Posted by Stangmaster

It is a lot like being a cop.
When there is no problem, they call you pig, fuzz, SOB, "all cops are scum," You know the deal.
But if their car is in an accident, or their house broken into, or any of ten thousand other things that are unpleasant happen, who do they call? You, ya worthless bastard. And you have to "be professional" and ignore the BS.
So when things get tough, they want to send in soldiers, and when you are done, call you a baby killer, or a puppet of the government.
But, you know the truth. You protected them and their right to be jerks.
There are those who really do care, it is only a small minority of the population that is sick.

I know what you mean. I've had people call both my Grandfathers baby killers because they were in Nam, but I know they were not, the one I shared a name with was an MP, and my step Grandfather was a mechanic in the Air Force. Its just wrong that they talk bad about Veterans and don't even know the story.

[Stangmaster]

Originally Posted by Pink_Floydfan91

I know what you mean. I've had people call both my Grandfathers baby killers because they were in Nam, but I know they were not, the one I shared a name with was an MP, and my step Grandfather was a mechanic in the Air Force. Its just wrong that they talk bad about Veterans and don't even know the story.

Now days, and I am guilty of it too, most of us are so concerned about being too polite to talk about the current wars with the Veterans, These guys are often just ignored.
My nephew was deployed to Iraq twice, and I avoid the subject, thinking he does not want to talk about it, but he says he needs to,
He was lucky, he saw action from a Humvee and was the turret gunner. It was his job to shoot anything on the side of the road with a .50 cal (I think) "Gatling gun," While escorting a convoy when going town to town. The first tour, his four man squad had two Humvees disabled by IEDs, and the second time they were hit by snipers, Nobody was killed in that squad, but he saw what an AK-47 can do to a human body, if you don;t follow orders. This left him with some emotional scars, but Mikie says he will go again, if called. He is disappointed but not surprised how not many care.
He is safe at home, has his own place, and is going to The University of Maryland, and my sister still flies the Flag, and Mike Sr, is still active in the deployment ceremonies. Support, that is what is needed, despite the politics that sent them there.

[mrlobster]

It's not a situation singular to the US. In Canada we face some similar attitudes of disrespect towards our nation, flag, and veterans. Usually this comes from those born in this country with a sense of entitlement 'as big as Texas' (to borrow from our friends to the south). My own thinking comes down to, whatever country you are living in: 'Love it or leave it.'

[Stangmaster]

Even the "bad guys" mourn their dead. It is human nature.
But, that does not give anyone the right to deface property and humiliate war veterans.
Here, in the US, is is not a crime to burn the flag, as it once was. But if you live in Florida, it is a felony, but cannot be prosecuted once a Federal appeal is filed.
This happened about 2 years ago here in Tampa, the idiot got off, and sued the Sheriff's Department for arresting him. He won.

[colbylsmith]

Originally Posted by mrlobster

... whatever country you are living in: 'Love it or leave it.'

I'm gonna have to agree on this one. I can't understand the mentality of complaining about something yet doing nothing to change it. That just sounds like whining to me, and I have a hard time with people that are very disrespectful to our veterans or people that died for the freedoms we have. I believe in free speach, although it seems to have become say what you want with no accountability. It has become a sad sad situation here.

I spoke this morning with a veteran, and his words were "these people don't know how good they've got it."

[Stangmaster]

Originally Posted by colbylsmith

I spoke this morning with a veteran, and his words were "these people don't know how good they've got it."

Another famous catch phrase is "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."
So, next election, are all of you old enough to vote, going to? It IS part of the solution. Too many people that complain, will not vote, or think their vote does not matter. If more than 30% voted, and we got closer to 100%, things would change.
I think voting is not a right or privilege, but a duty to your country.
Get pissed and vote!

[Stangmaster]

When I was younger, we had the draft. You either went into the Army, joined another branch, or went to jail or Canada.
Some of us complied, there was no choice. It may have been political, but the sense of duty to your country made it easier, until you got out and protesters got in your face. I would rather face the enemy than draft dodging punks any day.

[Pink_Floydfan91]

Originally Posted by Stangmaster

Another famous catch phrase is "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."
So, next election, are all of you old enough to vote, going to? It IS part of the solution. Too many people that complain, will not vote, or think their vote does not matter. If more than 30% voted, and we got closer to 100%, things would change.
I think voting is not a right or privilege, but a duty to your country.
Get pissed and vote!

I registered to vote the day I turned 18, I will get to vote in my first election in November.

Originally Posted by Stangmaster

When I was younger, we had the draft. You either went into the Army, joined another branch, or went to jail or Canada.
Some of us complied, there was no choice. It may have been political, but the sense of duty to your country made it easier, until you got out and protesters got in your face. I would rather face the enemy than draft dodging punks any day.

I know a few veterans who said they need to reinstate the draft. I agree that males should do at least two years in the service.

[Stangmaster]

Originally Posted by Pink_Floydfan91

I registered to vote the day I turned 18, I will get to vote in my first election in November.




I know a few veterans who said they need to reinstate the draft. I agree that males should do at least two years in the service.

It used to be a given, that most kids out of high school, would join the Army, for various reasons. That was before the "enticements" they have now. Of course it was peacetime, but you never know.

Don't bash the veterans, they help keep you from really getting bashed.

[Pink_Floydfan91]

Originally Posted by Stangmaster

It used to be a given, that most kids out of high school, would join the Army, for various reasons. That was before the "enticements" they have now. Of course it was peacetime, but you never know.

Don't bash the veterans, they help keep you from really getting bashed.

I don't bash Vets, both my Grandpa's, my Dad, and his twin are all vets.

[Stangmaster]

I know you don;t, I was just saying in general.

[Pink_Floydfan91]

Originally Posted by Stangmaster

I know you don;t, I was just saying in general.

I got ya now. I like to listen to stories that they tell because they are so great.


Oh and I only took an administrative job because I got such a high score on the ASVAB, and those were all I could choose from. I really wanted to do field artillery or MP.

[Stangmaster]

Originally Posted by Pink_Floydfan91

I got ya now. I like to listen to stories that they tell because they are so great.


Oh and I only took an administrative job because I got such a high score on the ASVAB, and those were all I could choose from. I really wanted to do field artillery or MP.

Well, you could still get the MOS you applied for if you are needed.