Letter: Obama's military bearing an example for GIs, civilians alike

[question everything]

I am an avid reader of the newspaper.

I saw the photo of the president and other GIs saluting in Dover to welcome the military men home.

I was deeply impressed by the president's salute, but I thought the GIs with him were extremely slovenly in their salute. I am a retired master sergeant with 22 years' service. I relearned the proper way to use the salute when I attended the NCO Academy. I'm still so gung-ho when I see military men and women use the salute I get a lump in my throat.

I am impressed with the president's military bearing even though he is a civilian with no previous military experience.

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/69330287.html

[question everything]

1. An anonymous U for a post praising the President

and honoring the dead soldiers?

Pathetic.

[Pirate Smile]

2. I saw that when I recommended it. I don't know why anyone would Unrecommend this.I got it back to 0.

Great letter by the Sergeant.

[question everything]

3. Thank you for your comment

I was impressed with the letter, and with the initial reporting showing the President saluting. We've never seen anything like that by Bush or Cheney.

[FightingIrish]

4. I always felt that Bush's half assed salute was almost insulting

The salute is an expression of respect and Bush seemed pained to have to even render the honor to his subordinates.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

5. .

[question everything]

9. That's disgusting! What the hell was he doing?

[TygrBright]

6. What it says to me...

...is that the President, although without personal military experience, felt that it was a worthwhile investment of his time to learn the correct way to express respect for the troops under his command. He takes his responsibilities seriously and his regard for the commitment of our military is not casual or feigned or photo-opped.

As the daughter of a Marine, I appreciate that. I may not always agree with his decisions as Commander in Chief, but I believe they are made with regard for the well-being of the personnel at all levels.

And the First Lady continues to impress me with her concern for, and involvement with, the well-being of families of active-duty personnel.

They are a class act all around.

Thank you for writing that letter and thanks to the Strib for printing it.

appreciatively,
Bright

[question everything]

10. Very touching comments

that the letter writer deserves, though not I. I just posted it.

Comments like that coming from people with personal experience really deserv to be aired.

Thank you.

[ChickMagic]

7. I was deeply impressed by it too

I saw the full salute on the news and spoke up immediately
about it. Complete respect was shown.

[NatBurner]

8. i was a drill sgt in my army days

and i too was immediately impressed with obama's salute (he could use some work on his left hand placement tho)

miles ahead of dubya's sloppy salute, for sure

i'm glad i'm not the only one that notices stuff like that