Capitol Hill Blue Forums Military & Security Military & Veteran's Issues Stolen valor

After working on the farm and in the pig iron foundry for a year or more after graduation from High School, the army was a piece of cake. Although the military isn't for everyone. Again, it all depends on the individual. I've always been able to adjust to any situation thrown at me, I think that was the key for a 47 year army career. Both active and as a Army civilian.

Perhaps if I'd gotten drafted I'd have followed a similar course. But I got a letter said long haired freaky people need not apply, and I had a health issue they could not deal with.

So I did heavy construction because I wasn't strong enough to "serve".

It was not a piece of cake. And it did not offer pensions, medical care, discounted education or discounts at all the best stores. Folks don't stop me on the street and say thanks for building all that stuff! But spend 4 years fueling jets at Patrick and you're a freaking hero.

A hero? Not after Vietnam when most folks looked down on us military types as the worst scumbags on the face of the earth. Desert Storm changed that. I don’t understand the heartaches the Republicans gave Gore and Kerry for their service in Vietnam or what they tried to do to McCain. McCain was a POW in Hanoi for doing his duty. If you have differing politics, keep them in the political arena and not attack folks who did their duty. The POW’s were heroes, 9-11 responders’ heroes, heroes are those who respond above and beyond their normal duty and job. At least that’s how I looked at it.

Does serving in military make you a hero, no more than working in construction. Our experience are different, we all did what we did. The important thing I guess, we all survived to a good old age.

Point is, Pero, I never had a choice to do what you did.

Folks see me in a wheelchair and ask if I'm a veteran. I tell 'em nope, I'm just a regular cripple. They always seem disappointed.

I don't hold it against those who served, it was a job, a career, a jumpstart in life, and a way out of Podunk. But the "thank you for you service" crowd makes me a little ill.

I think military service is an obvious answer for lots of aimless kids once they graduate from high school. For plenty of others, it's a family tradition. The ones I admire the most are those who see it as the next step towards a lifetime goal. For example, poor kids who use it to get through medical or law school. My brother-in-law used his service as assistant to an admiral to become a project lead at Oracle. One of his daughters is a project leader at Elastic, and previously at Wayfair.

LOL, you know Greger, after Desert Storm the Thank You crowd was nice. It was like going from a pot hole in the road to king of the road. But it got old quick. Even so, it's better than being the pot hole.

I have to say I am closer to Gregor‘s position than to others in this thread. It’s not a matter of disrespect; rather the simple fact that a majority of people enter military service for economic reasons - including, I think, many of those who turn gung ho after basic training - and I’m not sure why someone’s selection of the military as a jjob should garner automatic respect. Or disrespect, either.

I grew up with World War II and Korea veterans who were drafted, did their duty, came home and didn’t talk about it much. I have known a few, not many, Vietnam vets and they didn’t talk about it much either. It wasn’t a point of honor or no honor; it was a matter of doing what needed to be done – if only because the government enforced it. Some did see it as a chance to defend their country. I have to admit that often seems misguided to me.

Since my birth, the United States has been involved in several wars, most of which did not
involve attacks on the US. I think most of what we’ve proved is that with all our resources, we’re just not
very good at fighting wars, and haven’t been for a while.

Combat is certainly a very special category. A veteran of Dien Bien Phu is not the same as a drill sergeant at Fort Riley. On the other hand it’s tough for me to see Navy experience on Okinawa and not be aware of the numerous attacks on Okinawa women; so many contradictions, so much dissonance.

As a child of the Vietnam war era I am deeply suspicious of military actions and goals. Even more deeply suspicious of the hell we piut our young men and women through.Rather than say “Thank you for your service,” what I really want to say is
“I’m sorry for what we asked of you.”

I have been more open here about my view of the military than I would normally be. People tend to get very offended (these days) when no offense is intended. After all, my father and two uncles were actively ANTIFA. Maybe it’s the. news about the Rant that has allowed me to speak heart instead of mind, today.

I’m sure the military people on this board know that if I have offended it has been unintentional. Please know that for anything in the above that seems short-sided or just flat ignorant, I would appreciate a contrasting opinion. I find that military people don’t always like talk about this with the rest of us; I understand that.

On political debate sites, I don’t take anything personal or get offended by anything said. Personal opinions are just that, personal opinions. I don’t think you said anything that would offend any military types.

I think the problem with all these wars, at least since WWII, congress hasn’t done it job. The Constitution states congress will declare war. It hasn’t done so since 4 Jun 1942. Here’s the list of declared wars.

https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/declarations-of-war.htm#:~:text=Congress%20approved%20its%20last%20formal,policy%20through%20appropriations%20and%20oversight.

Since then wars have been by resolution of congress. Not a declaration which are two different things in my book. A resolution is a formal expression of opinion. A declaration is a formal or explicit statement. Not an expression of an opinion. Nit picking, maybe so. Now we’ve have had two wars based on the UN resolutions without any action by congress, no resolution or declaration, Korea and Libya.

I ask why not a declaration of war against North Vietnam, Iraq, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Korea, Libya and many more? I think it’s because congress declaring war puts the whole nation on a war footing with all that implies ala like WWII with its rationing, more government control and much more. Presidents since WWII have done their darndest to keep the civilian portion here in the states out of any type of war footing. Like no war was happening letting them live normal, peaceful lives. Trying to keep the war or wars from affecting them one bit. So the civilians will live, act and perhaps believe we’re at peace when we’re not.

I hope this makes sense. Sometimes I have a hard time expressing exactly what I mean.

Then

Dear Presidents: you can keep the war from “affecting us one bit” as long as we don’t have relatives or friends in the fighting, constant reminders to support the troops, or witness to what seem to be large groups of very young people jogging through the Atlanta airport in uniform, on their way to extreme danger or death.

Otherwise, buddy, we’re gonna know about it.