Here's a great way to thank a soldier -

[babylonsister]

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1024.html

This site lets you create a hardcopy postcard that will be sent to someone in the military. Check it out.

[Buzz Clik]

1. cool. Just sent one.

[mike_c]

2. thank them for what...?

It's a serious question-- I'm presuming the postcards are sent primarily to soldiers in Iraq (the website simply says "overseas") but I might be mistaken. But if that's the case, can you name ANYTHING about what they're doing in Iraq that we should be thankful for?

I know folks don't like to hear criticism of the military, but I for one am NOT thankful for the war against Iraq!

[babylonsister]

3. Thank them for putting up with the bullshit from their government?

I am totally against this war, but not the soldiers who are doing what they're told.
I cannot even imagine being deployed for the 3rd or 4th time.
I hate this admin, but I also don't blame the soldiers.

[mike_c]

4. OK-- thank them for putting up with BS....

Makes sense, I suppose. I hope you'll forgive me for wishing that they didn't.

[babylonsister]

5. Then I wish you had a plan for every soldier to

just say 'no' without impacting their lives or the lives and livelihood of their families. It is a Catch-22. There's lots of blame to go around, but I can't fathom placing that blame on these men and women.

[mike_c]

6. I didn't say I "blame" them...

...just that I'm not at all thankful for what they're doing. It's not the same thing, you know.

[Buzz Clik]

10. Wait -- are you suggesting that soldiers refuse to serve if they disagree?

I'm not trying to pick a fight -- I hate that we're in Iraq. But soldiers cannot and should not question their mission.

[peacebaby3]

7. If it weren't for the so-called "volunteers", then it might be you that

had to serve in Iraq, go to jail, or flee the country because of a draft. (or at least a very close loved one)

The majority of these people didn't volunteer for this bullshit. They are stuck now and are trying to make the best of it and survive. There will always be a gung-ho and completely brainwashed section of the military, but most of them are everyday people that just want to come home alive to be with their family.

My husband was suppose to retire at the end of this month with over 20 years of service. Guess what? They changed it and now say he can't retire for 6 more months. Wonder what will happen in March '07?

You can thank them for that if nothing else because when they have finally been completely beaten down (and the Army is basically already there), the void is going to have to be filled by someone else until the American people hold their government responsible.

And just so you know...my husband who served in Iraq, isn't thankful for the invasion and occupation of Iraq either.

[mike_c]

8. then we basically agree, as crappy as that might be....

I really should have known better than to reply in this thread, but I couldn't help it. It's just that people need to stop and think about what they're doing. Thanking service men and women for protecting America, for putting their lives on the line in defense of the Constitution, for defending freedom-- those are all laudable objectives, and ones we should all be grateful for. But none of those apply to Iraq, IMO. I think we both agree that the war against Iraq is a crime, not service in defense of America. As an American, in whose name that crime is being committed, I am not grateful for it.

[Buzz Clik]

11. Ok, I understand now....

You can ignore my other posts. We pretty much agree. How we frame our reactions has a lot to do with one's own perspective.

[peacebaby3]

13. We partially agree.

While I don't support the "war" either - never have, even when my husband had his boots on the ground in Iraq - the people responsible for this horrible disgrace are not the troops. They are told what to do by their government and forced to do so because they are owned by the government (GI, government issue).

They are human beings with hearts and souls even though their government considers them equipment. They do really appreciate getting messages from people because it is very lonely for most serving over there.

I don't agree with the invasion and occupation at all, but I know where that anger and blame goes so I have no problem "thanking" or sending something to cheer up a member of the military who is serving in Iraq. You don't have to thank them for "protecting your freedom" because of the "war" in Iraq, but if there were no US military, there would be no US. And believe me when I say this, you are not hearing it from someone who likes the military. I have put up with their shit for nearly 17 years and can't wait until they have no more power over my life, but I also understand their necessity. My support for those that serve has nothing to do with my support for this criminal administration or the "war" which you and I may feel is criminal, but unfortunately, for any GI that refuses to serve is considered legal and he or she will be punished accordingly.

Maybe you could just send a message of hope for their safe return home? That is what the vast majority think about while they are there anyway.

[babylonsister]

16. peacebaby3, my husband is

a retired vet. I cannot even imagine what your husband and family are going through. The military won't let him retire after he served his time honorably?? That just stinks for so many reasons. My hope is with you that he'll be able to get out soon.

[peacebaby3]

18. Thank you, babylonsister. When I heard at least 6 more months, my

heart sank. They just told him about 2 weeks ago and he had already gone out and found a new, decent job because, as I'm sure you know, you can't live off any retirement pay from the military unless you are a high ranking officer. Now, he is going to probably lose the job and we will have to worry about how we will survive financially again after he retires.

I work, but I do indigent defense work - and well, it's probably obvious that it isn't profitable so we just can't make it without him going back to work full time.

[Buzz Clik]

9. It's clear that most of us don't agree with the mission, but....

... these soldiers signed on to do a job, not analyze policy.

Are you really saying that you cannot find any reason at all to be supportive of these men and women?

[mike_c]

19. I'm saying I can't think of any reason...

...to be grateful for their service in Iraq. That is all I said. The OP didn't discuss being generally supportive-- it discussed thanking them, and the site suggests a strong focus on Iraq. I mean, we could discuss all day whether any good has come from the war against Iraq, but I'll just cut to the chase and say that *I* consider it all bad-- a disaster that has hurt America at home and abroad, and will continue to hurt America for years to come. I don't blame service men and women for that, but I don't see much to be grateful about either. I want them out of Iraq immediately-- that's how I support them.

[EnviroBat]

12. My postcard had a simple message...

"Please hang in there, we are doing all we can to bring you back home where you belong..."

[babylonsister]

14. Great message! and welcome to DU, EnviroBat! nt

[peacebaby3]

15. I think that was a great message! n/t

[EnviroBat]

17. Thank you all!!!

I come here for the sanity!

[donco6]

20. I just sent close to the same. Good idea.

They let you write whatever you want. Why not?