How do Americans view our Military?

[Keith Webster]

As a family with a long Navy History and 2 nephews serving and a daughter now in BC, how they are perceived by Americans is more observed by us then others. I am sure others have noticed acts of kindness, respect and thanks towards our Military Personnel. Share your thoughts and observations here.

 

My family recently attended a family reunion and many were asking about how our daughter was doing. Family pride was oozing out as they told stories of other family members serving and wishing her well. My sister is a Fast Food Resturant Manager in a Central Wisconsin town near a large military base. She shared that she regularly has people who will pass up money saying let me pay for tha solider's food, even when they see tem in the drive thru. My uncle related how he thanks anyone he encounters serving or has served for what they do. (Both his boys served in Gulf War I and his grandson in Afghanstan.)

 

All this caused my wife and I to think about what we see around us regularly. As we live in a large community in Southeast Wisconsin it does seem different. We find those with military connections, i.e. someone serving, are more willing to offer a friendly word or meal. Others I think is a mixed bag of those proud and thankful and those quick with a negative comment. I want to think the harsh ones may be upset with the government for our military involvement and not the soliders themselves, but then again way say or act it out towards the solider.

 

Looking for other thoughts, comments and uplifting stories, share!

[NavyDads Admin (Paul)]

It's amazing how people notice and express appreciation for our sailors. I was at a checkout register at Costco last week and naturally wearing a NavyDads tee-shirt. The checker reached across the counter to shake my hand to thank my offspring for serving......likewise I was at a local sporting goods store awhile ago purchasing some pistol ammo...once again the folks in back of me noted my NavyDads shirt and thanked me for Eric's and Kat's service.

Robert Hartman said:

I find that the majority of the people are very supportive of our troops. The last thing I expected while attending PIR was for someone to pay for our meal that evening, with this being a weekly ocassion in the Great Lakes area.
While checking in at a hotel in the Everet WA area, when my son was not even in uniform , some one was observant enough to see he was carrying a sea bag and thanked him for his service.
As for the negative responses, wich so far I have not heard thank the Lord, for my response may not coincide with my suggestion, as an American citizen they have the right to their speech and beliefs.
May God bless our troops and their familys

[Robert Hartman]

I find that the majority of the people are very supportive of our troops. The last thing I expected while attending PIR was for someone to pay for our meal that evening, with this being a weekly ocassion in the Great Lakes area.
While checking in at a hotel in the Everet WA area, when my son was not even in uniform , some one was observant enough to see he was carrying a sea bag and thanked him for his service.
As for the negative responses, wich so far I have not heard thank the Lord, for my response may not coincide with my suggestion, as an American citizen they have the right to their speech and beliefs.
May God bless our troops and their familys

[Leonard]

I just spoke with my soon to be sailor, Bradley. He was very amazed by the way he was treated during Thanksgiving Liberty. He is now in his last week of boot camp and was given liberty to have dinner at the local VFW with other soon to be sailors. Upon his arrival the SR's were greeted with goodie bags and warm welcome. Everyone was thanking them for their service and commitment to the Navy. He said he was very humbled. He didn't feel like he has performed anything out of the ordinary in which every person in the military was doing. Once he make it back to the RTC and was laying in bed it finally hit him as to the sacrifices that our military personnel were making, even here in the states. Not being with their families for the first time, Watching TV or even performing Kareokee as kids do now. This is the first time I have finally seen the transition of him from the boy son that left my house in early October to the Man in which he has become. I'm sure it is just not him as well as all of the other SR's that have just left the comforts of home for the first time and realizing what their contribution of service is being weclomed by the citizens of this wonderful country! Please thank all of your recruits for their service from me and my family! And thaks for all of the peope around the Chicago area that made this a special day for our recruits!

[NavyDads Admin (Paul)]

I guess I could have been clearer....there is a big difference between the military and the job they have to do

Keith Webster said:

I agree with Paul also. I think as a whole people do support the troops, but not necessarily the cause.

[Keith Webster]

I agree with Paul also. I think as a whole people do support the troops, but not necessarily the cause.

[NavyDads Admin (Paul)]

In general I think you'd dicsover a difference between our military and what we've tasked them to do....I think after the horrible treatment our Vietnam vets received that the country awakened to realize that the troops are the good guys-- sometimes the government that sends them in to do a job may be the mis-guided ones.