When we asked readers early this week if they would still serve in the military if the American public didn’t appreciate them, I suspected I knew what the overwhelming response would be. After all, we frequently hear people say that service is a higher calling and the “thank yous” don’t matter.
But I didn’t know how I personally would answer that question. I mean, would I really still want my husband to stay Army if we encountered haters everywhere? And when I say “not appreciated” I don’t really mean “lack of military discount.” I mean dirty looks, your kid being bullied and a general sense of disgust from the people who you are fighting to protect.
I can’t say I’ve been surprised, though, by the results so far. We know that servicemembers by and large love what they do – it’s a volunteer force, after all.
Still, I appreciate the honesty of those who have said that, no they wouldn’t serve as well as the attitude that you really can’t know what you would until you are in the situation.
Read the original post here and check out the results below.
About Amy Bushatz
Comments
I don't understand why people could loath any military personnel. They fight for them to even be here, to be safe from the ugliness of the world they know nothing of. And WHY pick on their families? They have done nothing, but show support and are surviving the best they can without their service member. I wish those unkind people would see that these personnel have a job too; that they're a loving husband/wife, father/mother, brother/sister, grandson/granddaughter, nephew/niece just as everyone else. And if they have a grudge from the past of a relative or themselves involving the military, then they need to forgive themselves and ask for forgiveness from God and their family. I pray and hope their bitterness turns into kindness.
I think part of it is simply a matter of understanding. I've known some very good people, but war was so counter to their beliefs that they'd avoid the topic altogether, never having an opportunity to actually talk with the military members which, tragically, left movies and television as their only "experience" of the military.
Sometimes, its because they have a mind that is JUST as closed as they accuse military members of having. I've had people tell me I need to "think for myself" and "free my mind", never stopping to realize that I AM thinking for myself and I DO exercise free thought. I simply thought (for myself) that serving this country, for all its strengths and faults, was the thing to do and that serving the greater good in this capacity was more important than just "looking out for #1". They accuse us of being brainwashed when they, themselves, are often just as "brainwashed" except in the opposite direction.
My wife and kids would tell you that there experiences with hate were minute, even overseas. It's not like there are large groups of organized haters everywhere waiting to pounce on innocent dependents and military. They come in ones and twos. Plus, military kids, mine, at least, are pretty savvy. My 12-year-old would likely just ignore them…or squash 'em like a bug.
We have far to many Ameicans in 2012 that still fear the unknown, and will not ask any person that has served this nation a dam_ thing! No problem; when the life of a military member falls around their feet; then they'll wished they has asked! That day is surely coming and sooner than later!!