Proud to be an American?

While we were living in DC we were constantly harassed by civillians for being military. It was not wise to speak of conservative opinions in Georgetown proper and there was no way you would ever be allowed to switch lanes with McCain Palin on your bumper sticker. Arlington was constanty being picketed and protested in front of because there is never a shortage of crazies and it was all so aggressive. I hoped that when we moved here things would slow down and people would be a little bit more receptive. For the most part it is much better. We live near two fairly supportive military towns and more businesses than usual will offer a military dicount which is nice. But recently I have become irked with people's ungrateful attitudes. I will never understand why people bring their children to stand outside our base, which is visible to our elementary schools, and picket and protest the troops. It really bothers me. I mean, does it make you feel validated or accomplished, have you won anything screaming to a child that their mommy and daddy deserve to die, or that their sacrifices are futile? Honestly, does it do any good to cause disruption and traffic jams outside our gates? Because at the end of the day, we're not going anywhere. History has shown that we're the last group of people to back down, the arrogant American troop, and the silent ranks of their family members. But that's alright because this is America, and it's your constiutional right to be an ignorant jag-off.

Also, when the holidays come around people become temporarily patriotic, it is so insulting. If you really support the troops then donate your money or your time to your local base. Write letters to the USO or send carepackages over seas. There are so many ways for people to get involved without causing terrible disruption to their own family. Even though the people that get the donations and packages are disrupted like clockwork every 2-4 years.

As long as the majority of America's patriotism and gratitude to the American military family begins and ends on a bumper sticker, quite frankly, we're not interested.





Mr. and Mrs. SSGT Sylvester. HUA!