Stars and Stripes letter: Don't give him any medals

[lebkuchen]

Don’t give him any medals

A specialist chastised a few folks who’ve been serving honorably for goodness-knows-how-long as being somehow un-American for taking a stand against stop loss (“Serving past your ETS,” letter, Dec. 13).

The next day’s issue had a letter from another specialist who observed that medals are being awarded according to rank, not merit (“Bronze Stars not deserved,” Dec. 14).

Well, I’ve been serving in Iraq for almost a year now and there are a few observations I’d like to make: To the first letter writer: It’s those soldiers’ right to peaceably protest the government. To the second letter writer: Well-spoken, brother! It’s so refreshing when folks have the gumption to point out some of the many inequities in today’s “all volunteer” Army.

After years of active duty, and after being forced to stay past my estimated time in service date, I’ve become nothing short of heartsick at the way things are. So go ahead and call me “unpatriotic,” or “a coward,” or undeserving of your mom’s apple pie. If I’m such an awful soldier, then we all should be in agreement that I never should have been kept in the Army past my ETS date.

I had to attend a formation last month where a captain was awarded the Bronze Star because she sat behind a desk for 10 months. Forget it, specialists. The only way you’ll be awarded a Bronze Star is if you catch a rocket-propelled grenade launched at a general and throw it back.

You can all keep any medals you had in mind for me. The only stamp of approval I want comes on my clearing papers.

Spc. Peter S. Green
Camp Victory, Baghdad

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=26174

[chomskysright]

1. My hat's off to you, my friend....

its great to hear from people like yourself. We merely talk about things: you are there doing it.

Continue to dissent: we respect you for that: we are looking for your dissent.

I APPLAUD YOU MY FRIEND.

[impeachthescoundrel]

2. You have my undying gratitude

And that of all of us. I can't even express my feelings about this administration's tactics in this matter. Your opinions and the facts you gave are like food to a starving man.

Thank you for sharing your insight.

[pnutchuck]

3. I was an MP in the Army during Operation Desert Storm

I had severe disagreements when I was in and was thankful to Bush Sr for cutting the military after our "success" there. I got the hell out of dodge and never looked back.

I live in Paris, France now and there's an article in "Paris Match" about the US soldiers and Christmas. I saw a tapestry posted in one of the rec rooms from a Baptist Church saying "Merry Christmas Soldiers, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE, {HAPPY NEW YEAR WAR HORSES}, OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU" I was wondering if you'd seen the same thing. Myself, I find "war horses" quite demeaning and dehumanizing. What are your thoughts?

[Tangledog]

6. I don't think it was an intentional insult

I'd be surprised if this bunch of Baptist quilters intentionally mixed an insult on what was supposed to be supportive. If anything, it was meant as a bad pun, or a way of acknowledging that the soldiers must be exhausted.

I'm not a mindreader, but to me the phrase "war horses" isn't really malicious. Obviously, in your case the good intentions missed big, and I'm sure you're not the only one.


Thank you for your service in the first Gulf War.

[pnutchuck]

7. No, I don't think it was intentional but I saw it as systemic of the

thought pattern of Bush supporters. To call the soldiers Horses is, to me, a devaluation of the true cost of life at stake everyday. I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but as a former soldier, and someone who sees through the Bush jargon, I took offense to it. And TY for your service and your candor it is much appreciated here.

[roguevalley]

12. war horse is a euphemism for survivor and is considered a

compliment where I come from.

[MSgt213]

4. Its funny how the so called cowards have to often remind the so called

heros what they are really supposed to represent.

[proud_Kucitizen]

5. Best wishes to you Peter

If we only had more like you who would show true courage to speak out.

Thanks for the post.

[pnutchuck]

8. I like the sarcasm in your sig line

considering entrepreneur is a French word

[lebkuchen]

9. Pnutchuck, that sigline has been there for awhile

and as I recall, it's not sarcasm. Bush actually said that.

After sharing a bottle of Christmas Eve champagne, I don't remember where I found the quote. Maybe on my 2004 Bush calendar of quotes?

Merry Christmas!

[pnutchuck]

11. Cheers!

Sorry, I'm relatively new here so wouldn't have seen it before. :toast:

[lebkuchen]

15. Siglines probably aren't read to a great degree here

which is why I prefer to keep mine short, by quoting Bush.

But since you've noticed, I did get it from my Bush 2004 calendar of quotes. Which one do you think he would prefer to disclaim most? My sigline or his latest gem about negotiating with himself? :)

[pnutchuck]

17. I thought soldiers were only given 10 minutes per day on the internet

Just curious because my friend's husband was over there for 8 months and was only alowed to use the computer 10 min. per day then they shut him off.

[pnutchuck]

13. Bush ne parle pas Francais n/t

[lebkuchen]

14. Klar

Ebenso sprect Bush kaum "Deutsch." Otherwise, he might have had a larger coalition that extended beyond the borders of Palau and Costa Rica.

But, those two countries have since exited the scene of the crime, if I remember correctly.

[ernstbass]

10. Bravo

[Vidar]

16. Thank you, Peter.