SOS. Same attitude that developed among soldiers in Vietnam, with reason.
http://photoblog.msnbc.com/cop-nolen-photoblog
By Evan Vucci, Photojournalist, AP
Here in southern Afghanistan, I often ask the soldiers what they think about the things folks are saying about the war back home. The question is usually phrased as a simple, "Does the American public get it?"
How can they? The don’t feel the heat, the fear, the flies. Who can understand what it’s like to know the next step may be your last -- unless you’ve been there? Still, it’s a question often on soldiers’ minds.
First Lt. Christopher Babcock, of New Orleans, gave an answer that I’ve often heard from soldiers over the years.
Babcock is as smart and capable a platoon leader as I’ve ever met. He joined the Army as an enlisted soldier in 1997 and served as a combat medic in his first tour in Baghdad. He went to Officer Candidate School in 2008 and earned a commission.
He said, "I’ve had people come up to me and say ‘I support the troops, I want you out of there.’ Really? What have you done to support the troops? What have you done other than complain? Have you petitioned the halls of Congress? Have you written your representative? Have you asked the president to increase our pay, increase our benefits? That’s supporting the troops. Saying you want the troops out of Afghanistan by talking to no one of influence is wasting your time, and you’re a complainer. And you’re not supporting the troops.
"Do something for us. Call your senator, talk to your senator. Talk to your representative. If you want us to stay here and continue to fight this war on terror, tell your senator, tell your representative. If you don’t want us to fight this war on terror, and want us back home, call your representative, call your senator. Write them a letter. Say, 'I’m in your constituency, I want the soldiers gone.' Vote.
"I want engagement. I want them to do something realistic. I’m a soldier through and through. My opinion of this has waned from caring to disconcern. I care about the men on the left and right. That’s what really matters."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That’s a view echoed by many soldiers I meet. His personal opinions Babcock won’t share, and quite frankly they don’t matter. He’s a soldier, he carries out the orders given to him. His job is to complete his mission, and get his men home alive.
The faded yellow ribbons are nice, but constructive engagement by the citizens of the United States is what makes the men at Combat Outpost Nolen feel that people thousands of miles away haven’t forgotten them.
Comments
Three Cheers
Having had to deal with a son who spent two tours in Iraq as a combat medic, I am glad someone else on this site understands the insane contradiction so many limousine liberals try to pass off as caring.
Supporting the troops is sending the men and women in harms way things they need and miss, little things like phone cards, grenola bars, Crystal Light, DVDs, recordings of their favorite TV shows.
Supporting our troops is buying a bag full of Cinnibons and handing it to a groups of soldiers just back from the snadbox sitting about in an airport waiting to catch a plane home.
Supporting our troops is spending hours on the phone AFTER they've come back, helping them come to terms with what they saw and did, adjusting to living in a society populated by people who get bent out of shape because the line at Starbucks was intolerable long.
Supporting our troops should not be a slogan. If it is to have meaning, it must be a call to action.
Many here on TS/BC are antiwar. So be it. Have a nice day.
Those who are not, please do whatever you can whenever you can. Having severed in combat myself, believe me, even the smallest kindest will be appreciated.
Nancy Cole
"You may be what you resolve to be."
T.J. Jackson
Troops
Regardless of what you think about the morality of recent conflicts, it's worth remembering that all the soldiers out there are just doing a job. They were employed as soldiers - they're not conscripted - and have been trained in the art of warfare. They have to be ready to deploy and I assume do their job pretty much as soon as they reach wherever they've been posted, coping not only with what the enemy throws their way, but also whatever nature throws their way. Most of us have probably seen pictures of the troops, either in Afghanistan or during the earlier conflict in Iraq - the terrain and climate are probably quite alien to most people from temperate climates like ours.
While death is a recognised occupational hazard of military service, this conflict is unique in that on a couple of occasions, a local ally has turned rogue. Winning the "hearts and minds" of the local populace is also tricky - Afghans have apparently historically been fickle in their support of military forces - backing whoever seems to be winning (hence the rather rapid events that took place in the early stages of conflict, before the conflict in Iraq). On the one hand, they're not too keen on the Western forces (particularly when there's a case of mistaken identity and civilians accidentally get killed), but on the other they're not too keen on the Taliban either.
However, while many yearn for action in the theatre of war (and a recent UK documentary focussed on the shame, regret, disappointment etc. felt by many of those chosen to remain behind in home bases), they're still human at heart. So it is far more meaningful to them to receive comfort boxes in the field and help adjusting to civilian life / coping with injuries received / emotional support etc. back home than to mouth off to the media.
And if you feel the need to contact a politician, campaign for decent facilities for the soldiers when they return home. In the UK for example, barracks housing has been poorly maintained for decades and some of it is barely fit for human habitation. Other indirect means of support include fundraising for relevant charities - e.g. Royal British Legion (helps veterans), Help for Heroes (helps wounded).
EAFOAB Episode Summaries
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
One little thing that means a lot
Here in the UK many of you will have heard of the charity 'Help for Heroes'.
One of the things they do is sell the little navy blue, sky blue and red wristbands. The money then goes to a number of charities including Combat Stress and BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Servicemen's Association)as well as paying for additional facilities at Hedley Court, the forces rehabilitation centre.
That's all well and good but there is a second benefit...when a serviceman, or woman, comes home and everything is alien; the bus is late, the queue in the post office is too long, that squealing spoilt brat is getting on your nerves and you feel like no one gives a damn, to spot just one person wearing one of these wrist bands means an awful lot. They don't need to say anything or do anything, just wearing it offers a point of connection between 'there' and here.
Persephone
Non sum qualis eram
Inappropriate content for this site.
I've encouraged soldiers who have been and are going. I've also written my congressmen about getting us out of there.
Still I don't think this discussion belongs here.
Gwen
It Does Belong Here
Yesterday I made mention that another writer here seeking to create a piece designed to bash GW Bush should post such political commentary elsewhere. I was quickly informed by Erin that such things were welcomed here.
I therefore expect to see Erin do likewise to this comment. And if she doesn't I will.
Let it stand.
As I said below, have a nice day.
Nancy
"You may be what you resolve to be."
T.J. Jackson
There's a difference
The first one was about a story, this one is not.
But, I don't see this as being that political. Maybe part of that is that I'm a Vietnam veteran myself and found a mix of attitudes about that war on both ends of the political spectrum while observing that people who had one political view thought that everyone with their view had the same view of the war that they did and that everyone with the opposite political view must therefore have the opposite view of the war. It just wasn't so, people were all over the map. The vast majority of people on both ends of the spectrum had no idea what "supporting the troops" would mean to the troops themselves -- and that's what the post above points out.
It really isn't a political question, it's a question of understanding. Anyone who thinks it's a pure political question -- doesn't understand.
I think it's useful for writers to discuss possible motivations of characters and if someone wants to have a discussion about the motivations of political candidates as characters in a novel, I'd probably allow that, though I might have to quash some off-topic comments. :)
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
If I may respectfully disagree?
With this or succeeding administrations and congress perhaps finally addressing the inequality of the 'don't ask-don't tell' policy, many of the young men and women currently excluded from military service will be put in harms' way. And that is not even including all the brave men and women currently serving in the military who are serving while 'in the closet.' They, as well as every other service personnel, deserve our unwavering support. I am convinced that this thread of commentary is entirely germane to this website.
Thanks to all in our community who have served and to those who continue to serve.
I'm not sure...
I'm not sure what this has to do with BCTS - other than perhaps being a pet peeve of yours.
But, since you bring the topic up...
I think it brings up several interrelated issues:
1) Can someone that's not served truly understand someone that has (anymore than someone that's not trans can understand someone that is?)
2) Was the decision to send troops into region XYZ the right decision?
3) If yes? Is it still valid? If no, what should be done?
4) If no, what should be done?
5) Should there even be a military? What purpose dose it serve?
6) Now that we have the soldiers there, what should they do? If it's pull out? What happens? Is that Okay? If it's stay there, what does that mean?
7) etc.
It's a nest of very complex problems. We can debate how they got there all we want, but that's not very productive (they're there). We can debate whether they should be there or not. That has value. However, we need to recognize that while we debate that, the soldiers are still there. What SHOULD their mission be (while they are there)? What should we do? Whether we support the war or not? Do we take care of the soldiers? Do we think our soldiers are doing EVIL things?
We're not going to solve the issues in Afghanistan any time soon. We're not going to solve them alone. The people of Afghanistan have to be MOST of the solution. Well, that is, if it's going to last. That region's had "issues" far longer than we've been involved (over 100 years)... THEY don't agree on what the "solution" is. Ask one group, you get one answer, ask another, you get another. Impose western democracy on them and expect it to work/last? You've got to be kidding...
Sorry, I'm cynical and discussions about the "wars" in the region tend to poke one of my buttons... I'll post this - for now, but I may come back later and remove my remarks.
Anne
Everyone knows this is devisive.
I am a veteran of just another stupid war.
In real life, I do what I can to help any way I can; supporting those serving, writing my political representative, volunteering at the hospital and all that.
But, when I come to BCTS, I don't want to think about it. Please allow this to be a place of rest and relaxation.
There are just lots of sites where that can be taken care of.
Gwen
You don't have to read every blog
It's that simple. If you see a blog title that is likely not to be what you would be interested in, why read it?
I'm going to take this blog off the front page though because it is at best, tangential to the writing of TG stories.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Sorry
Yes Mum.
Funny You Should Mention This
That's exactly what I said about the about the blog entry by person suffering from BDS who was seeking an artist to help her create a piece of politically motivated drivel disguised as fiction. For my efforts I got politely told to be quiet and sit down.
I see no reason why this blog entry should not stand and hope Erin allows it to.
Nancy
"You may be what you resolve to be."
T.J. Jackson
Second unfriendly post
As you see, I've let this post stand, though I've taken it off the front page.
But your actively insulting someone else while making a comment (by referring to drivel) is not appreciated.
I repeat, this is supposed to be a friendly place. Further unfriendly comments by anyone on this or other topics will be removed.
Hugs to all,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.