I truly appreciate what our soldiers do for us each and every day.  I know how hard it is for them and their families to be separated for so long with the families not knowing from one day to the next what is going on.  I make it a point that when I see any soldier in uniform I walk up to them and tell them "Thank you for what you are doing".  I don't have to believe in the war but I do believe in our fighting men and women.  No one should blame them for what they are doing and where they are sent the military and the government decide that.  Thank God for our men and women in uniform.

I am a former Nco of 11 yrs. proud Naval service my heart goes out to all who have and continue to serve
the us at home and abroad.Just because we are not on the tube daily, dont think for one second you are not alone.My heart goes out to each and everyone of you ,and you are all in my prayers daily.Thank god for each and everyone of you for i have been there.

My son is presently serving in Baghdad with the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division. He was shipped out to Iraq 4 weeks out of basic training. He was told he would be there a year. He was extended for 3 extra months. He was promised an extra $1000 dollars for the extra three months. He is still serving the three months. The government took back the $1000 dollars.
I could not be prouder of my son and his fellow service men and women. I will support them 110%.
I do not support this poor excuse for a war.
Do I buy the "BS" of fighting for our freedom or that of the Iraq people.......please. Do I find it amazing that 30% of this nation still supports this administration, yes I do. Do I think that the sons or daughters of this same 30% are right behind my son as he goes through a door not knowing what he will find on the other side, No I do not. I could not be more ashamed of this administration and what it has done to this once proud country. I am quite embarrassed of the country we have become. Do I truly believe that the people of this nation care about what our servicemen are doing. Ummmm........yes.....as long as they really don't have to think about it too much. The majority of this nation absolutely pays more attention to Paris Hilton then the war in Iraq. But, the very sad truth is; our media cares more about Paris Hilton, then the war in Iraq. Paris sells, Iraq does not. Remember, more people voted for the American Idol, then for the President of the United States. It will be with great sadness, that I will do all I can as a father to discourage my son NOT to re-enlist. If this nation can return to a nation of truly great and honest leadership and a grateful nation, I will proudly encourage him to once again return to serving his nation! Please think about this; A couple months ago this nation was informed that 4 servicemen were killed in an ambush and that 4 were possibly kidnapped. They were all from the 10th Mountain. The Army could not release the names for a few very long days. It was during this time that I came to the realization that by praying for my son to not be one of these soldiers, it meant I was praying it was someone else's. I now pray for ALL soldiers to be safe, not just my son.
To all the families who have lost a soldier, you have my eternal gratitude. Please know they did not die in vain. Be proud of their sacrifice! This nation will become great again because we will learn from the examples that these soldiers have demonstrated.
To all military families, thank you. All your soldiers will be in my prayers.  

Our nation's proud military has been lead into a scenario with no real chance of achieving it's aim; a democracy in Iraq.  I'll contend it's not a military failure but a failure of leadership because the desired outcome is political.  The president can't accept this defeat and so the sacrifice of our sons and daughters continues so that he can pass this problem on to the next president.  This "pass the buck" administration has blood on their hands as far as I'm concerned.  Our soliers should come home to a heroes welcome and our president should be shown the door.  Impeach him!  

As a medically retired vet,(disabled-WIA. Panama,'89) I fully support our troops, and understand that the Iraqi quagmire is going to cause us to hemmorage our young at the rate of 2-3 a day. It is our representatives I do not support. They sent our children into the Iraqi theater under flawed intelligence, if not criminal stupidity. The most effective, and ruthless armed force    
in the middle east, the Israelis have been unable to solve their religious war in 50 years how could we expect to solve our current problem. Every senor NCO and officer will tell you there has to be a mission goal,and it must be attainable. We must ask our representatives "What is the exit strategy?"

Until the American public takes the time to educate themselves about the world around them, about the  international issues that will shape the future of this country, we will continue to elect the wrong persons for the job of US President. Our President and Vice President have never shown true respect for the military, if they had listened to Sec. Colin Powel, we would not be in Iraq. If the president of the US, is the commander and chief of the military forces, then only those who have served actively in the US military should be allowed to hold the office of president. Remember,our president chose not to serve in Vietnam and our vice president chose not to serve at all! Bush made a grave error in judgement with Iraq.Some of us understood the complexities of the aftermath of "shock and awe" and felt duped by it all.
Waving a flag does not make you a good citizen, educating yourself and actively taking part in the government around you, does. Millions may think the  "American Idle"  is a singer, but my American Idle will leave for Baghdad in a few days; he is my beloved son. Oh but excuse me, as a woamn said to me at the cookout,"Don't talk to me about that, it's depressing. Hey, did you hear they're gonna let Pairs Hilton out of jail?
To my mind, that's depressing and representative of most people. Respect..No! Start the draft and we'll at least see something close.

I was in the military for 20 years, and was very lucky not to see any combat during my time in the service and I greatly appreciate what every man and woman in the service does for our country and the sacrifes they make every day over in Iraq.  Keep up the good job and I will always have you all in my prayers.

As a USAF veteran I have received all the admiration and respect needed. I also must protest that those saying they support the troops but oppose the war are standing with one foot on either side of a line. If you don't support this war your are going against everything this amazing country stands for(freedom). If I remember correctly it is called operation Iraqi FREEDOM. The freedoms that most take for granted. The amazing brothers and sisters in arms as well as myself support or president because we see first hand the difference that we are making on a daily basis in the lives of the iraqi people. They want freedom just as bad if not worse that most americans. All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing. We are all in a time of war wether we like it or not. We either fight and defend our way of life abroud or at home. I humbly take upon myself the honor of defending this country abroud. I am blessed to be able to call this amazing country home. Give me FREEDOM or give me death.

I am in Afghanistan now. This is my fourth deployment. The amount of mail for myself and my soldiers from well wishing Americans tells me that we are very much thought of and supported by the American people. I concur with Pfc. Gillis in the article above. "For the most part, I think America's behind the common soldier, whether they believe in the politics of it or not," he said. I am not concerned with the politics of this mission, or any of the previous missions. The reasons will vary, the need will always remain the same, for young men and women to answer the call. I am a veteran of Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. I serve with pride in an honorable profession, it's not political for me, it's taking care of the guy to my left and right.

Seeing the comments to this article is very heartening, two individuals dissenting, the rest supportive, and that's great. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and you can say what you like about the soldiers, the mission, whatever. God bless you and drive on. I am grateful for the support I receive, and to the folks that don't support us, don't support or understand why I am here I would just give a nod and carry on with my mission. It's your country too, and there are enough individuals that will bend your ear and get into heated debates over the war. It seems to me that's all we do as a nation anymore is argue.

I have been fed up with the bumper stickers, signs and posters around this country of ours that states that the president has screwed up more things with this war, and this is according to the "experts".  The ONLY experts are ones that wear the uniforms, that walk the streets everyday in Iraq and Afghanistan, and get shot at or blown up on a daily basis.  I have served 4 times over to Iraq over the course of 17 years in the military, and all I have to say is, PUT UP, OR SHUT UP!!  If the people of this country don't like what is going on, then I suggest that you pick up a rifle and go patrol, a security convoy, or hunt IED's in the Buffalo.  Otherwise I would just be happy that the great "experts" that sit in the Starbucks around this country and dictate how the war should be ran, because they watched the latest dirt report on CNN, say thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, for keeping the fighting off of our soil, protecting your children, so we don't have to fight house to house and street to street here in the states.  If you have to know the news on what is going over in country, then turn off the TV, stop watching the media dirty laundry, and go grab a soldier that has been there, got blown a couple of dozen times, been in firefights with the enemy, and has held dying friends in their arms.  Those soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen will be able to give you probably more than you can handle, and they will most likely be talking about just 1 day over there.  We all want the military to come home safe and unharmed, and I for one, could have definitely gone without getting blown up and shot at as much as I did, but there is always a threat to the ways with which we live, and I tell you what, I would rather go over to a hostile environment 1000 times, than fight here on my own soil

My Name is Warren Michaels and I would at this time Like to offer my tribute to the Purple Hearted Heroes
of all Wars. This Song is being Donated to the National Hall of Honors. It is my way as a vietnam era vet to say thank you to all the Soldiers that paid the ultimate price for the sake of our Freedoms as well as our Neighbors around the World.

www.purpleheartedheroes.com

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