Pity or Respect: How you see the military

Good article, I saw from a veteran friend who posted it on facebook.

Yeah: They love us now when their a** is on the line but will hate us again soon enough.

I'm torn. I think there is SOME need, but I also think DOD or organizations at times ram in down people's throats. And I say that with an understanding that a majority of us approach the military with the same glasses....blinders to some issues and focusing on others.

I have tickets to the Washington Capitals. In that game we stand 2-4 times during the game for... first Wounded Warriors, then the military section, then the service member of the game. I clap. But I'm not there for that. I'm there to watch hockey. Is that insensitive? Maybe. And I've been in uniform. Heck, I selected the Coasties that went to the games. There have to be thousands at the game who are far less attached or concerned for the military than I have been.

It's a political piece, and sometimes it's just to make an organization feel good about itself. Sometimes the programs do good things. I'm not a huge fan of uniformed service members being paraded around like props.

I think the term "hero" is used FAR too often, when talking about service members or talking about Rep. Gifford (sp?). We toss that term around and it loses value for the people it actually applies to. I have no doubt a number of people would act like a hero is need be, but luckily for us, most aren't put in that position. Dedicated? Sure. Dutiful? Sure. Heroes? Maybe, but not all and not all the time.

And the Capitols are doing very well LITS. Go Rangers. My son likes the Devils. Go figure.

I only have Capitals season tickets because I'm a fan of the sport of hockey. MY team is the Nashville Predators. The Caps are slumping. I grew up with the Preds. Watched their first game on Oct. 10, 1998. I wear my Preds jerseys to Caps games...

NY Rangers may be the hottest team right now. I have Derek Stepan on my fantasy farm team.

The only team I really, really, really hate is the Hurricanes. The Whalers moved out like the Colts. At least we had Gordie Howe for a short time! The Whaler's sweaters are still a best seller even though the team no longer exists. I was born in the Bronx so it is Rangers/Yankees. Too many Bruin/Red Sox fans around here.

AF6872 said:

I was born in the Bronx so it is Rangers/Yankees.

Click to expand...

I think I just found a brother from another mother in AF6872!

Born and raised there myself, in the Soundview area of the Bronx. Rangers/Yankees all the way! Always buy the three game series when Rockies play the Yankees.

Back on point... it’s a pretty grey area from my point of view. Where we can generalize how most people about their service internally as being proud but when it comes to others thanking us or pitying us it very individualized reaction. I for one hate it when my friends thank me for my service. There are others that have done so much more that deserve that gratitude not me. But at the same token it pisses me the hell off when people look at my service as a bad thing and pity me for it.

"Brother From Another Planet" Born in Westchester Square Hospital.

"PROPS" is the correct word. I have been looking for a great description of the current parading of veterans at all public events and that says it in one word. Some organizations do some great things, and do them with great passion, but for many it is still a kowtow to the current PC fervor.