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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> What does "Support Our Troops" mean?
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 02/07/2007 11:09:15 PM · #26
The original idea of the stickers was likely, as various members have pointed out, to ensure that soldiers are not subjected to the same treatment that happened following Vietnam. I'm sure some people still affix them to their cars or whatever with this aim in mind, and for those who have family or close friends in Iraq, the stickers obviously have a more personal significance.

That being said, I think the stickers are also used by many as a political statement. When I see a sticker, I think there's a pretty good chance the person displaying it is pro-war, pro-Bush, and using the sticker as a not-so-subtle means of getting a message across. I also would wager that the vast majority of those who display the stickers don't really do anything tangible to support the troops.
 02/07/2007 11:10:34 PM · #27
Originally posted by posthumous:
Originally posted by karmat:
And for me, it reminds me of all the troops, not just the ones in Iraq. I have a good friend whose son was just stationed in Okinawa this past fall. There are "troops" all over the world, not just fighing in the war.


And some of those "troops" belong to other countries as well. Should I support those troops? What about when they're shooting at our troops?


Good point. Should we support the "insurgents" in Iraq, too? Should we send them care packages? I know this is a very inflammatory thing to ask, but I only ask it in order to force us to think deeper about exactly what "Support Our Troops" means.

02/07/2007 11:15:33 PM · #28
Originally posted by sabphoto:
Most of you see it the same way I see it...as a member of the US military it means that you are behind me and my family.

There are TONS of soliders (Marines included here), sailors and airmen out there that don't feel the war is right but they go and they dodge bullets, they cry over lost friends, they bleed and some bandage people they may have met just months ago. They stand next to complete stangers knowing they may not come home to the very country and family they are fighting for.

I have been blessed by God Himself to not have gone to the war yet
Support the troops means exactly that, do what you can for them. Send them stuff, send their family stuff, search the web for the wifes of deployed service members support groups and see how you can help them...wives have the hardest job of ANY service!!! But not only do physical stuff, support them with your thoughts and prayers, help them know they aren't fighting in vain for a country that doesn't even care. As mentioned by someone, it means not calling them baby killers and murders and such...I have a friend that just returned from Iraq and while in FL on leave he heard it from at least one person. He is a corpsman (medic) he heals people not kills them. He helped treat locals and their kids, not just ignore them cause they weren't American.

In addition to support the troops I have to say "support your president". He may not be doing everything the way you think it should be done, he may seem off at times but HE IS OUR PRESIDENT and without our support he can't do his job effeciently. Some say "I won't pray for him I don't like him and what he does"...well then pray that he will change and see things in a different light, pray that he will find a resolution to this all. Right or wrong he does need support.

And as asked...yes you should support troops of other countries. You don't have to send them stuff but again pray that they will be kept from harm and maybe that they will be able to change things from their side and get to go home to their loved ones too.

Sleep soundly knowing the bombs aren't going off in your neighboorhood and others are dying to protect you...a complete stranger.

[steps off soap box]
Couldn't be said better. And I feel exactly the same way. I've seen troops come back from teh war, laying in hospital beds, with Congressman and the President coming to visit them. I've seen families cry over their injured soms, daughters, husbands, wives. I've been yelled at by the same family because I wasn't over there as well. I completely understand where that comes from and I don't blame them.

A few years ago I was doing security for a Disturbed concert. They said it the best in their pre-concert speech. For those that don't know, Disturbed is very anti-Bush and anti-war, which they expressed in depth. However, at the end of their rant, they said that they wholly support the troops that are over their, putting their lives on the line to uphold freedom, the freedom that we take for granted and without them, the same freedom that we would not have.
 02/07/2007 11:31:40 PM · #29
I'm currently staying in military lodging in a European country. This particular country doesn't particularly like having us here, by the way. While in the lobby last night typing away on my laptop, I met a young man who serves in Special Forces. He's the guy I do my job to support. He's not a nameless, faceless "troop" who's just out there somewhere - he's a very real, very personable, very dedicated young man who's been away from home for nearly three years, nearly all of it in not so hospitable locations. I have the utmost respect for him and told him so. I thanked him for what he does and the hardships he endures.

And I do believe it's possible to "support the troops" without supporting the/any war. The military is a political instrument - the people who serve in the military are people.
 02/07/2007 11:33:52 PM · #30
The real question is do those in power, who are making the decisions to send our young men and women off to war, support the troops?

What does it mean for our leaders to support the troops?
 02/07/2007 11:40:31 PM · #31
Perfect. I'm retired USAF, been most everywhere, had best friends die and watched and still very loyal to my comrades and my president. We are a volunteer military, No one is forced to join anymore. Anyone joining in the last 10 years knew that they would probably go to war and maybe die. Many joined for education and benefits ... stupid and I feel sorry if that is all you did it for. The military is a warrior spirit and part of supporting our troops is ensuring they follow orders and then support them in doing so. When a person undermines their commanders and leaders you are indeed undermining the soldiers personally and putting their life in jeopardy. If you don't like it vote the civilians out next time, until then support! America was never established on government by the masses, we vote people in and they can do whatever they want. We just vote them out next time.

In twenty years I spent about 7 years away from my home, wife and kids supporting ya'll. My last deployment to southern Turkey and northern Iraq was the hardest. The best support and thrill I had was letters and packages from total strangers addressed to "any soldier". If you want to support, have your church, scout group, class, club or your family send a "care package" to Iraq, Turkey, Afganistan, Diego Garcia or a dozen other remote locations that most of ya don't realize that our soldiers are sent to. Support is just that, unconditional support. Our leadership may change but our warriors will always be there and need to feel they are important to YOU.

So off my soap box too ;)

Originally posted by sabphoto:
Most of you see it the same way I see it...as a member of the US military it means that you are behind me and my family.

There are TONS of soliders (Marines included here), sailors and airmen out there that don't feel the war is right but they go and they dodge bullets, they cry over lost friends, they bleed and some bandage people they may have met just months ago. They stand next to complete stangers knowing they may not come home to the very country and family they are fighting for.

I have been blessed by God Himself to not have gone to the war yet, I was in during the first Desert Storm and didn't go then either but I have a enormous chance of going next year (which by the way will be about 18 months from my retirement...how flippin ironic is that). If I am called up, I will go, I will do what I can to keep my fellow Marines healthy and bandaged up and I know they will keep their "doc" safe and taken care of. I may have to return fire on someone, that worries me cause as a Christian I do not want to kill but it will be done in defense not anger or hatred.

Support the troops means exactly that, do what you can for them. Send them stuff, send their family stuff, search the web for the wifes of deployed service members support groups and see how you can help them...wives have the hardest job of ANY service!!! But not only do physical stuff, support them with your thoughts and prayers, help them know they aren't fighting in vain for a country that doesn't even care. As mentioned by someone, it means not calling them baby killers and murders and such...I have a friend that just returned from Iraq and while in FL on leave he heard it from at least one person. He is a corpsman (medic) he heals people not kills them. He helped treat locals and their kids, not just ignore them cause they weren't American.

In addition to support the troops I have to say "support your president". He may not be doing everything the way you think it should be done, he may seem off at times but HE IS OUR PRESIDENT and without our support he can't do his job effeciently. Some say "I won't pray for him I don't like him and what he does"...well then pray that he will change and see things in a different light, pray that he will find a resolution to this all. Right or wrong he does need support.

And as asked...yes you should support troops of other countries. You don't have to send them stuff but again pray that they will be kept from harm and maybe that they will be able to change things from their side and get to go home to their loved ones too.

Sleep soundly knowing the bombs aren't going off in your neighboorhood and others are dying to protect you...a complete stranger.

[steps off soap box]
02/08/2007 11:18:01 AM · #32
I agree with much of what has been said here.

What irritates me is the suggestion that people who do not support the war are somehow being unpatriotic, cowardly, or even that by doing so they support the opposition.

It is possible to support our troops while condemning the leaders who put them there - and condemnation of misguided leaders is borne out of a patriotic desire to see my country act appropriately.
 02/14/2007 03:40:42 PM · #33
Originally posted by noraneko:
The original idea of the stickers was likely, as various members have pointed out, to ensure that soldiers are not subjected to the same treatment that happened following Vietnam. I'm sure some people still affix them to their cars or whatever with this aim in mind, and for those who have family or close friends in Iraq, the stickers obviously have a more personal significance.

That being said, I think the stickers are also used by many as a political statement. When I see a sticker, I think there's a pretty good chance the person displaying it is pro-war, pro-Bush, and using the sticker as a not-so-subtle means of getting a message across. I also would wager that the vast majority of those who display the stickers don't really do anything tangible to support the troops.


Magnificent. You really put that in perfect perspective. I've thought that for a long time. I'll bet there aren't too many anti war people with those stickers on their vehicle.
 02/14/2007 03:48:19 PM · #34
Originally posted by bmartuch:
Originally posted by noraneko:
The original idea of the stickers was likely, as various members have pointed out, to ensure that soldiers are not subjected to the same treatment that happened following Vietnam. I'm sure some people still affix them to their cars or whatever with this aim in mind, and for those who have family or close friends in Iraq, the stickers obviously have a more personal significance.

That being said, I think the stickers are also used by many as a political statement. When I see a sticker, I think there's a pretty good chance the person displaying it is pro-war, pro-Bush, and using the sticker as a not-so-subtle means of getting a message across. I also would wager that the vast majority of those who display the stickers don't really do anything tangible to support the troops.


Magnificent. You really put that in perfect perspective. I've thought that for a long time. I'll bet there aren't too many anti war people with those stickers on their vehicle.


actually, that is a broad sweeping brush ya'll are using there, and one that is painting many people incorrectly. how many of them have you asked,"What does that mean to you?"

I daresay if you actually took the time to ask, you will find some that fit your mold, but I suspect you will find many, many more that would surprise you. At least that has been my experience. I know of several "Support our Troops" sticker bearers that do not agree with the war, or Bush, but can differentiate between the two (the two being supporting the troops and supporting Bush).
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