Army Suicide Toll

Wow, just wow. I never, ever thought I would see veterans on this site criticizing other veterans and making assumptions about how successful they were or what they did while in the service or their knowledge of the military or their capability or their viewpoints. A new low! Just in time for Veteran's Day, too.

Please, just have some respect, people.

Very sincerely,

Former military wife

Nicely stated TFT. This thread has certainly taken a nasty turn. I realize everyone has right to their own opinion, in large part, thanks to those who have chosen to serve our country, in whatever capacity they served in the military. Hard to believe that some of the posters were on the same side.

I may not agree that our armed forces should be in Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, et al. But, I sure do appreciate their service to our country. Maybe in honor of Veterans Day, these boys could call a truce and make nice.

Peace out,

Current military mother-in-law

Honestly, there is no way a man would do what some have done here on this thread if they were TRUE VETERANS! A brother that has fought and seen death and mayhem would never attack another that has seen the same. I almost puked my guts out after reading some of theses post. I would say some are not worthy of what the Real Vets have done, but that would cheapen their sacrifices and I wont.

Exactly what is a "true veteran" and would your definition be the only "true" definition? Is it kind of like being "truly pregnant" as opposed to being just "pregnant"? Because two men may be veterans doesn't mean they will walk lockstep the rest of their lives. I can respect your service to our country while still strongly disagreeing with your opinions. I can do this because I am also a free American.

Exactly what is a "true veteran" and would your definition be the only "true" definition? Is it kind of like being "truly pregnant" as opposed to being just "pregnant"? Because two men may be veterans doesn't mean they will walk lockstep the rest of their lives. I can respect your service to our country while still strongly disagreeing with your opinions. I can do this because I am also a free American.

I will clear this up as to what was meant by TRUE VETRERAN etch, One that was REALLY in the service and or one that served in combat. There are many out there that never saw a uniform or stepped foot off their front porch one-step and CLAIM they were. If they had they would NEVER beat a Brother down. We stand together as REAL AMERICAN VETERANS, proud to claim each other as brothers. ONLY a TRUE VETERAN would understand that. This will be my last post on this subject.
Jack

I will clear this up as to what was meant by TRUE VETRERAN etch, One that was REALLY in the service and or one that served in combat. There are many out there that never saw a uniform or stepped foot off their front porch one-step and CLAIM they were. If they had they would NEVER beat a Brother down. We stand together as REAL AMERICAN VETERANS, proud to claim each other as brothers. ONLY a TRUE VETERAN would understand that. This will be my last post on this subject.
Jack

I have read this thread many times and see no one here "beating a brother down," except for Andy A. questioning Bob's service to this country, and you and kkddbb thanking him for that post.

By the way "brother" is clearly a dated term. Perhaps the woman MP who gunned down the Fort Hood shooter is not a "real vet," since she is a civil service employee, but I think perhaps it is time to abolish the term "brother" when talking about current conflicts.

Our poor soldiers and their families.

I have not been able to get this video out of my head. It is very short but you can see EVERYTHING on this little girl's face: bravery, pride, what happens when the mask slips, fear, joy, relief.

Trick AND a Treat - Soldier Dad Suprises Daughter in School on Halloween | Strollerderby

This is the toll on the families of those who make it home. All I can say is we sure as hell better be there for a good reason.

I will clear this up as to what was meant by TRUE VETRERAN etch, One that was REALLY in the service and or one that served in combat. There are many out there that never saw a uniform or stepped foot off their front porch one-step and CLAIM they were. If they had they would NEVER beat a Brother down. We stand together as REAL AMERICAN VETERANS, proud to claim each other as brothers. ONLY a TRUE VETERAN would understand that. This will be my last post on this subject.
Jack

So it looks like your answer to my question is yes.

So it looks like your answer to my question is yes.

I had no idea your post lead to a "YES or NO" answer. Sorry, But again the subject has become about me and not the thread.

Jack

I have read this thread many times and see no one here "beating a brother down," except for Andy A. questioning Bob's service to this country, and you and kkddbb thanking him for that post.

By the way "brother" is clearly a dated term. Perhaps the woman MP who gunned down the Fort Hood shooter is not a "real vet," since she is a civil service employee, but I think perhaps it is time to abolish the term "brother" when talking about current conflicts.

Let me clarify my post. I did not question Bob's service to his country. I questioned his ability to be a successful leader in the military. I am not going to expound on that any further.
As for the term "brother", it is a term formulated by Viet Nam veterans to show recognition of one another. TFT, you may see it as "dated", I see it as an honor to be called by it and hope it is never abolished whether referring to today's conflicts or past ones. I was always humbled to have one golfer I know greet me with "Welcome home, brother" when he saw me. You may think that is kooky but I don't. The lack of respect and understanding of the military and the sacrifices they make by some of today's citizens is not within my comprehension. You can call me patriotic if you wish, a term, BTW, evidently derisive to some, but one I think should be more recognized in today's society.
I apologize for the rambling but the misunderstanding of many about my and other's attitude regarding flag, patriotism and military service leaves me cold and utterly disappointed as well as POed.

Let me clarify my post. I did not question Bob's service to his country. I questioned his ability to be a successful leader in the military. I am not going to expound on that any further.
As for the term "brother", it is a term formulated by Viet Nam veterans to show recognition of one another. TFT, you may see it as "dated", I see it as an honor to be called by it and hope it is never abolished whether referring to today's conflicts or past ones. I was always humbled to have one golfer I know greet me with "Welcome home, brother" when he saw me. You may think that is kooky but I don't. The lack of respect and understanding of the military and the sacrifices they make by some of today's citizens is not within my comprehension. You can call me patriotic if you wish, a term, BTW, evidently derisive to some, but one I think should be more recognized in today's society.
I apologize for the rambling but the misunderstanding of many about my and other's attitude regarding flag, patriotism and military service leaves me cold and utterly disappointed as well as POed.

I understand that you get frustrated sometimes with many views posted here in this forum, but I have not seen anyone here pass judgment on the quality or loyalty of anyone's service to this country until your post above. You have no idea how capable Bob was as an officer, nor do we know the details of your service. All I can do is repeat what I heard from our priest this morning (former Marine), who remarked that "everyone who has put on the uniform and served this country deserves our thanks."

So thank you Andy, Jack, Bob and Iris, along with any others I have missed.

As for the term "brother," I understand its origins but think there must be a better way to be more inclusive when speaking of current conflicts, because the face of the military has changed. Perhaps Iris could have more to say on that subject.

I understand that you get frustrated sometimes with many views posted here in this forum, but I have not seen anyone here pass judgment on the quality or loyalty of anyone's service to this country until your post above. You have no idea how capable Bob was as an officer, nor do we know the details of your service. All I can do is repeat what I heard from our priest this morning (former Marine), who remarked that "everyone who has put on the uniform and served this country deserves our thanks."

So thank you Andy, Jack, Bob and Iris, along with any others I have missed.

As for the term "brother," I understand its origins but think there must be a better way to be more inclusive when speaking of current conflicts, because the face of the military has changed. Perhaps Iris could have more to say on that subject.

Thanks TooFarTampa. I had to get away from this post for a while. I was getting too emotionaly involved for no real reason. As you know I retired from the Army in the early 2000's, went back to work as a sr intelligence operations specialist and recently gave it up after 30 years service. I will answer any questions I feel as though I can. I signed nondisclosure agreements so I must be careful. I want to protect the freedoms and this country as much as anyone, regardless of political beliefs. That is why we are America.

Ask away.

If I feel blasted by either the right or the left I will sign off again.