I served in the US Army for 3 years. It was one of the greatest things I've ever done in my life.

This is just a rant. Feel free to flame...

What pisses me off are the people who say they support the troops yet they only put a stupid magnetic ribbon on their car that says "I support the troops"; or they never wanted a US flag waving in front of their home until 9/11 - now everyone has one! You should have had one already... not just because a tragedy struck our nation!!! Pisses me off when I see this crap.

One way to support and help the families that are left home alone - if you're a neighbor to someone stationed away, why don't you knock on the door and ask the family if there's anything you can do - maybe take out the trash, cut the grass, fix something that needs to be fixed - anything other than putting a stupid ribbon on your car so other people can read it and say "Oh, look, they must really support our troops because they have that ribbon. I guess I won't give him the finger even though he cut me off."

By the way, people in the military are at risk by default, but I would bet to say that most did not join because they wanted to serve their beloved country - no, they probably joined to get away from their family/hometown, better themselves, further their education, gain benefits, travel, save some money, etc... I've met many men and women in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines and even a few Coast Guardsmen and it's true that now they are proud to serve their country, but MOST of them joined for another reason. Most people don't know what it feels like, or what it really means, to serve unless you served. It's feeling you never forget - but I joined for college benefits.

I don't mean to **** people off here and I am not the only one who thinks this way - ask other military people about this and see what they say.

 

Navy Submariner here. I'm not sure if it is true in all military towns, but here the military isn't so popular. It's nice to hear people say good things about what we do every once in a while. Thank you.

 

ps.- and yes I joined to get away from my hometown and beter myself and get a better education, but there is nothing I would not do that was asked of me by my country. Even if I didn't agree with my president it's not my place to bad mouth him, he's the one running the show. There isn't always a solution that makes everyone happy, the important thing is that the result is a better world for us all.

 

Thank you all! I'm in the Marines. I got back from my second tour in Iraq on Oct 25th and decided to treat myself and bought a 05,1500,4x4,QC,HEMI. People have no idea how far a thank you goes. The support from loved ones and even strangers helped us get through the hardest times. Makes you want to fight harder each and every day. SO from one American to anouther.... Thank you for all of your support

 

<--- Air Force as well.

 

15 years (And counting) AIR FORCE here... F-16 Weapons System Technician (462/2w171) That poem was well written, I still get all choked up when I read it...



Just some pictures of my Thanksgiving/Christmas last year!

This was one of the most comfortable deployments I have been on, there was actually leg room on this trip! Normally we are knee to knee thigh to thigh.... If you have to go pee you have ALLOT of people to climb over.















The spouses married to the men/women in uniform go through the same sacrifice and at times more sacrifice than anyone could possibly imagine... but its there direct support that allows us to do our job. When your thanking the military member don’t forget to reach over and shake the hand of there spouse! Thank the spouses of the military for being there for us, if it was not for them our jobs would be much harder to bare... they are without a doubt our backbone.




LOL... Sorry for all the pictures.... I just have so many of them, its fun to go through them every once in a while, I just thought like sharing a few of them...


SPEED SAFE, AIR RAM

 

Thanks for the pictures. They're great!

Here's the biggest salute to the military familys !
Here Here!
Pig

 

As far as my deployments, ive never been deployed as my actual AFSC (C-135 CC) My first tour we were augmentees for convoy security and drivers, but at least they flew us over on our own tankers (and being a CC we get our bunks). Ill see if i can get some pics up soon as well

 

WOW what a moving poem, THank you very much for the pictures

and hey AIR RAM, If you have more you would like to share please send them to cableguy1224@hotmail.com, I would love to see them


Thank you all that serve again!

 

21 year Air Force vet. Saw action in 'Nam and Desert Storm........

Dusty