I know that people in the military community and in a lot of other places in the country are on edge as to what is going to come about with our pay and this new bill being passed, or not. I am very skeptical that our pay will actually be frozen, but this is definitely an issue I am keeping a close eye on. This issue has brought about an entirely different one that has saddened me so much...
I suppose that always being surrounded by people who love and support our military men and women has made me blind to the fact that not everyone shares that same feeling. After reading comments made by, in my opinion, very un-educated Americans, I am completely astonished. The fact that someone would say that they don't owe military members respect or support breaks my heart. My husband was not "forced" into his job. He is not a Marine because he isn't intelligent enough to hold down any other job. My husband could probably run this country and do a much better job than is being down now. He is one of the most intelligent people I know. He enlisted because it's what he always wanted to do. He did not volunteer for 2 deployments (one in which he missed the birth of our first child) because he had no other options. He did it because he loves his country and has always wanted to be part of something bigger than himself.
Other comments I have read stated things like "military spouses are lazy, uneducated and do nothing but live off their husband's money and sleep around." This also breaks my heart, and quite frankly, pisses me off! I have a college degree and am working towards finishing another. My momma did NOT raise a lazy child, and I have worked over half of the time I have been married. I support and contribute to this family just as much as my husband, and without the recognition of the government. I guess if I am anything it is naive. I was living in a bubble thinking that the only military haters were those members from the so-called "church" in Kansas. The fact that people who get to peacefully sleep in their beds at night without worry or threat are not appreciative of those who provide this freedom sickens and saddens me. It breaks my heart for those currently serving, those who have served previously and especially those who have sacrificed it all for this freedom.
After reading some of the nasty things people have said, I cannot help but to think of my dad. He was drafted into the Vietnam war right out of high school. Their were no "Welcome Home" banners, flags or ceremonies when he returned home. No one was there to greet him with a beer, a hug or a "Thank you." As a "grateful nation," we can never again allow our troops to be treated like this. And this includes saying you do not respect them. It's no secret that most people do not agree with the wars we are fighting now. Nobody in their right mind "enjoys" a war. But to say you do not support or respect those doing what you are too cowardly to do is an outrage. Claiming that people who willingly leave their families and homes and walk directly into battle are the same as people who are unwilling to work and stand by for government handouts is absurd!
I didn't mean for this to turn into a soapbox rant, but it was really weighing heavily on my mind and heart and I had to get it out. I think it's safe to say that MOST of us would agree that withholding or even delaying the pay of those who write the biggest check of all to this country is ridiculous even as just a thought. And MOST of us are rational, respectable and grateful citizens of this wonderful country. But the bottom line is, "If you cannot stand behind our troops, feel free to stand IN FRONT of them.."
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS! <3
Swearing under oath to protect the country he loves for 4 MORE years.
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