Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Support the Troops

I am from Washington. More specifically, I am from Lacey, which is basically Olympia. My point? I grew up in probably the most liberal town you can find in the United States. I am not heavy into politics but I pay enough attention. I am too liberal for conservatives and I am too conservative for liberals. I am very moderate. :) However, there is one thing that really bothers me--when people do NOT support the troops.

I was driving to get gas in my car the other day and I saw a protest. All of these people were against the war in Iraq. I am ok with that--you can express your opinion in any way that you feel. You can support the war or you can think it was the worst mistake the U.S. has made in a long time. But SUPPORT THE TROOPS. The reason I am so outraged is because some of the people were screaming and cussing about how horrible the troops were and how the soldiers were murderers and liars. I felt like I was in the Vietnam era...it was weird. But it made me so mad. Our American soldiers are out in the Middle East and they are doing their duty to God and to their country. They are doing their job. They are risking their lives. They are leaving behind their wives and their husbands and their children. They are sacrificing so much because they made an oath to be a soldier and be in the military. It is no an easy path. These people are courageous and every person should be thankful that there are so many people willing to defend our freedoms and to go wherever the government asks them to. The troops deserve love and prayers. So...whether you support the war in Iraq...I don't care...I don't know if I even do or not. All I know is that I am proud to be an American and I am proud to be protected by them.

As many of you know, Zach's dad, Gary, is a colonel in the Army. Gary has been my second father. For the last five years, he has been the father I needed and could turn to when I needed help. No matter whether I was his son's girlfriend or not, he always loved and supported me and gave me the loving, fatherly advice I craved. Gary left on July 19 for Iraq. Luckily, he should only be gone until the middle of November. He volunteered to go right now so that he would not miss his Nathaniel's wedding and Ben and Zach's return from their missions next summer. I love Gary...he has been the best father I could ask for. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

1 comment:

Tess said...

well-said, my dear. I feel the same way.