The mentality of the posters on this site. — Page 3

My priorities on Veteran's Day don't include getting on the Internet and reading miscellaneous posts on any subject. Early on Vet's day I go to Costco and buy 3 or 4 large bunches of flowers - usually roses. (They're available and cheaper there). Then I go to Arlington National Cemetary and I find the most remote, seemingly forgotten section I can find and I leave a flower at every soldier's grave. The last couple of years have been at the graves of the Spanish American War veterans. Based on the lack of any flowers or visitors there, I can only assume that all family members (later generations) are gone and these graves are only visited by the cemetery maintenance people and the soldier's who place flags there on Veteran's day. So I make them all 'my family' and I set a flower on each one, until they're all gone.

I think about what it was like then. It was a completely immoral war, brought about by yellow journalism and fed by businessmen and corrupt politicians. The soldier's who were sent there had virtually no support from the Government that sent them. There was little or no logistical support. Not only did they arrive in Cuba without food, shelter, or medicine, but many arrived without as much as a weapon. Some units actually marched in carrying wooden gun cutouts! If bullets didn't bring them down, malaria did. And there were no medical facilities to help them. That war truly was hell.

I remember that and I stand at their graves and I cry. They were ordered to go to Cuba and stop the Spanish in order to secure the safety of the US - and they went. And I thank them. All of them. All the soldiers and sailors and airmen and marines.

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Updated On: 11/12/07 at 11:57 AM

Sorry I didn't post but I was busy- Jane Fonda, Cindy Sheehan and I were making hot cocoa for the Taliban.

Where do I go to post my hollow, empty gesture of support for soldiers who will never read this board? Because now I realize it's vital to do so.

Bitch, you? Never.

There are other, far more appropriate words for you.

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They're just all doing what DG asked for - expressing the mentality of the posters on this site. The thing that makes me keep on returning to this site is the variety and richness of the posters here. It would be dull as dishwater if everyone thought the same way.

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To anyone whose politics keeps them from empathizing with the troops--My post was not focused on "keeping us free" . I said twice in my post ALL POLITICS ASIDE.

I am asking you to imagine what they are going through daily compared to what you do daily, and to feel something without mentioning politics.

I edited this to be less specific to whom it's addressed.

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Updated On: 11/12/07 at 01:32 PM

And with all due respect, I was talking mainly to Namo, although he may not even have been addressing my post at all. You mentioned at the end of your post that you did have feelings for those in the trenches.

." That's a common phrase that is used; I didn't actually realize you had used it as well"

Which phrase is that?

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Well, to be technical, I never used the words "to keep us free." Although it probably meant the same when I said "fighting for us." What I meant was the troops are doing something unselfish and in their minds it's all for us at home. I can't find fault with them in any way. That's why I wished more people felt strongly for them.

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Some of us observed the day by visiting the cemetery and paying respects to our loved ones who served in the military. Was reading and responding to a thread on the topic mandatory?

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Updated On: 11/12/07 at 03:24 PM

May I call to your attention the might thoughts of Irving Berlin from the searing indictment of this very subject, White Christmas:

They fill his chest with medals while he's across the foam
And they spread the crimson carpet when he comes marching home
The next day someone hollers when he comes into view
"Here comes the general" and they all say "General who?"
They're delighted that he came
But they can't recall his name

Nobody thinks of assigning him
When they stop wining and dining him
It seems this country never has enjoyed
So many one and two and three and four star generals
Unemployed

Go Halliburton!!!!

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Here you go
Veteran's Day