Should I be proud of my Military service or ashamed that I had a hand in this evil empire The United States?
607764
You should be ashamed that you took an oath to protect this country against enemies both foreign and domestic and now you are talking like a traitorous dog who has been taken over and reprogrammed.\n\nIf you think this country is an "evil empire" then instead of acting like a member of the 5th column, why don't you renounce your citizenship and go and openly and honestly join one of it's declared enemies instead of abusing the freedom that the soldiers who are faithfully serving today are fighting to maintain for turncoats like yourself!\n\nI'm a U.S. Military Veteran and proud of it!
123461
depends where you are. I've had people personally thank me for my service. I've also had college kids yell at throw stuff at my truck when they see the "Combat Veteran - U.S. Marines" decal on my back windshield. I think it's a mixed bag, but most people (whether they support the war or not) respect the sacrifices of the men and women in the military.
1101152
Normally you anger me beyond words.  I can't even express  how much.  Today I am just going to give you a calm honest reply to your question.  I really don't feel any shame over anything you listed in your question.  It didn't phase me a bit.  In fact I don' t feel shame for a single thing except one.  I am ashamed that people from all over the world read the vile crap you write about my country and the troops fighting for it.  I'm ashamed that you make your comments in agreement with our enemies and to their delight knowing that you are an american citizen. Most of all I am ashamed knowing that there are brave men fighting this war who read what you write in this forum and I can't tell every one of them that I am so sorry.  Yes that's what I'm most ashamed of...that you are an American.
157225
I would say you would have the right to say you were there and relate to those who were and are.\n\nI was in a branch of the military, everyone civilian doesn't care what branch, they ask but they don't really care which one, they don't care what rank, they don't care officer or enlisted,  and they certainly don't care Honorable or General.\n\nCertainly there is requirements for some of the VA benefits where they require an honorable, but most of em as I remember were honorable or general,\n\nSo, whats to brag about really,  for the most part civilians don't give a sh!t.\n\nAs for me, I was there.  Share a story with me about the time you pissed off some Captain.  Or got yelled at for whatever.  Its all good.
427982
nikky_c2000 - You had better thank your lucky stars that the brave men and women in our military generally support your right to make such an ignorant, thoughtless, godawful statement.\n\nVietnam War veteran Wil Boc put it best when he wrote:\n\n"Since the American Revolution, we have learned\n\n"That it is not the poet, but the soldier who maintains our freedom of expression;\n\n"It is not the journalist, but the soldier who maintains our freedom of speech;\n\n"It is not the lawyer, but the soldier who maintains the greatest system of justice in the world;\n\n"And it is not the politician, but the soldier who provides for our life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness."\n\nnikky_c2000 - You would do well to remember that next time you see a soldier, sailor, airmen or Marine. They are doing the job you refuse to do to keep all of us free. You should thank them.\n\nI see you are a Brit, so let me put it to you like this: If it wasn't for the men and women of the armed forces, you'd be answering this question auf Deutsch right now.\n\nEDIT: tink41503 - Thank you for your service!!
571031
No, of course not...I have great pride in my Dad and the service that he is in and that I served in also...WE elect the politicians who decide where and when to send these forces to fight and therefore it is all of us who bear the onus if those politicians make seemingly bad and/or unpopular decisions...I still feel much pride in our military...In our politicians?  That's another question...........
1149031
I see where you are coming from very clearly.   And I must say I agree with you completely.\n\nYou are asking us to put ourselves in the shoes of  people from other countries and ask ourselves, how would we like to be treated as we are treating people of other countries.  \n\nI would feel that I was being taken advantage of, humiliated and completely disrespected.  I would also feel someone was trying to take over my land and its resources as well as my way of life.  I would also be able to tell that they were hiding their true intentions behind things like democracy, and a war on terror.\n\nI would not be a happy camper and would probably resort to defending my honor and people against the invading force.\n\nI'm lucky I am not from another country !
128817
"For the Good of the Service" is right, but not good.  Anything other than an Honorable Discharge will haunt you for the rest of your life.
313235
I say go ahead and do it.  If you are that ashamed to be an American, leave the country you loser.  My father served during the same time you did, and I am proud he attempted to help the vietnamese.  I served during my time, and I am proud of it.  Any of you liberal, pinko, commie, idiots feel ashamed of being an American, leave for someplace else.  No need for you to suck up my tax dollars with your whining.  Go.  Leave.  Don't bother coming back.  You losers whine all day and all night about how ashamed you are of the USA, but I don't see any of you losers leaving.  Either quit complaining and wasting oxygen or find someplace else.
1182863
Oh for pity's sake!  Of course it's okay.  How is declaring your pride for your nation going to offend anyone?  If someone does claim to be offended, it's only because hand-wringing liberals, who are terrified of being labelled bigots, have branded anything other than fawning deference to other cultures as racism.  If you constantly worry about causing offence to a self-pitying, thin-skinned minority, then you'll spend your life tip-toeing around people and never asserting yourself or stating your true feelings.\n\nShould you apologise for being English or supporting England?  Of course not.  There are certain people who feel resentful because their ancestors were wronged by the Empire and want the English to hang their heads in shame for ever more, but that's just revisionist nonsense.  This sort of brainless mindset would have us constantly extolling the virtues of others, while considering any pride in our own character or achievements as arrogant.  Be proud.  Fly your flag.
1121515
I am totally against the war, however, people who join our military go in knowing that even if it's not necessarily a war they would back, they have comitted to doing their job.  I might also say that no matter what war or why - they have my absolute respect for being a part of a bigger picture that may cause them great harm or even death.  I salute all of them.  Bush, however, can kiss my flabbly butt.
941062
My, a lot of negative answers so far!  I am not in the armed services, but do have family and friends who are!  Those of you in the military on active duty to the war zones - you've been given a big job, but your the best trained, best armed soldiers in the world (despite politicians like Kerry who ship you out and then cut your funding)!  Keep up the good work, remember your training, keep up the morale, and come home safe!  Thank you for serving, we're all pulling for ya!
855354
I think pride does not come into the equasion.How can it when thousands of innocent iraqi men women and children have perished.British soldiers were sent to a war that was based on lies and propaganda.The casualties of war are but a name and number to the heads of government.They can never feel the pain and suffering of the families that are left grieving.They might as well say "we lied, and for that you died"How can they possibly be proud of that.Ashamed is what they should feel...but somehow i doubt that they do.
430334
I feel that in a given situation what started as good intent has turned bad.  Our soldiers went to Iraq on a mission for our leaders, a mission disguised as Democracy.  You cannot blame the soldiers.  When this mission did not turn in favor of our leaders bad things began to happen, soldiers in confusion, some of them young and very ignorant or unknowledgable of the Iraqi culture, or any respect of other cultures, some just the a-holes that we interact with on any given day back here in the USA, those who are high strung or have a superior than you attitude. Some, terrified young men and woman just out of high school who have yet to experience  anything of the world. Some very honorable and moral human beings-our soldiers are as diverse in humanity as any civilian on our streets-good and bad people. They are thrown into a seemingly hopeless and confusing situation.  Yes, it has turned bad, horrifically bad.  My cousin returned from his tour just 6 months ago and the heinous crimes he witnessed by his fellow soldiers against Iraqis was mentally trying and heartwrenching for him (I wish I could say more of his proof that he has, it is visual and graphically distburing)..but he feared for his own safety and feared to report some the callous acts of these soldiers as threats were made against him when he confronted them. One went as far as to make a comment of "Friendly Fire" and how dishonorable that it is to go home in a coffin from an "accident" instead of courageous battle.  There are bad people and yes some are our own, the best thing for us to do is leave Iraq.  I have said it before its not losing a war but admitting an error.  I have heard of the atrocities our soldiers are doing to civilians, and the lack of hesitation towards anyone as if they are all enemies from a soldier, an honorable person, my cousin. A man who beloves strongly in God and Faith and is terrified to speak out on what he has seen ...I hope he finds the courage to speak out and our government to admit the mistakes that they have made.\nHope this gives you insight to how some of us feel about what you mentioned.  I love and respect all cultures and all religions even if I do not understand them or agree with them, that is why the world is the world we live in the joy of diversity , the abiltiy to learn something new from someone, from ones culture.
53568
It is given more than I've taken.  You couldn't believe the sense of pride, accomplishment and experience you get in the military.  Use the opportuninty to do what you think you need to do and don't look back.  ANY contribution is serving this country well. God Bless America!
1005904
I know that because of the Viet Nam war. After the Viet Nam war.  We treated the individuals that served in that war pretty badly when they got home. Many people suffered as a result of that negetivity in our society.  People couldn't get jobs. They were outcasts in there hometowns.  I think you were feeling some of that left over crap people felt. Misguided anger because they didnt know who else to be pissed at.  Now that everyone is scared because of terrorism, they have found that we need military. I am sorry you had to suffer that way. My family always supported the military. I know that Your family did us a real service. I think its the media that has hyped it up so that we all look like a bunch of people with a newfound religion. but I think its just that we stopped being such a silent majority. Sadly those anti war and anti military people have always been loud and unapologetic about who they spit on. But now after 9/11 its chic to be patriotic.  But most of us I think have always felt that way but didnt think we should say it outloud. Its sad isnt it. that we have been ashamed to be patriotic. We should never feel ashamed to praise and stand up for those who protect and serve our country so well. And we shouldnt do it just because its the "IN" thing to do.
454619
I hope not!  That was such a disgrace and I felt terrible for all those who had served in Nam.  They gave their all for our country and the citizens who spit on those troops should be ashamed at their behavior.\n\nThe fact that a war is not popular is no reason to take it out on the troops.  The troops didn't declare the war or do anything to prolong it.  The troops did their patriotic duty and have every right to be proud of it.\n\nI thank you for your service in Nam and take heart knowing that not everyone would have spit on the troops or you.  I sure wouldn't have!  I am grateful that you loved the U.S. enough to put your life at risk.  Thank you!