supporting the troops

[whitetrash]

im not trying to get a political arguement going here but i had experience last week that made me wonder.

i met some friends at redneck heaven for some drinks last thursday. toward the end of the night we went outside since it had cooled off and i noticed a couple troops by themselves. no one was within 10 feet. so i went up, introduced myself, and asked what they were drinking. went to the bar and bought them a round to show my appreciation. they were baffled that someone did that. is it really that out of place?

[bcoop]

For the most part, yes. Most people are too self involved, or place too much importance on their own views (anti war, etc), and treat them like shit or ignore them completely. Yes, there are those that go out of their way to support troops. Care packages, welcoming them home at airports, etc. But they are the silent minority.

[CJ]

Yeah that kind of mentality is bullshit. More power to you buddy!

[no4njnk]

Around DFW it is uncommon but in smaller towns it happens on a normal basis.

[Superwho]

Serving before 9/11 and after was like night and day. Seems like its getting back to the pre-9/11 attitude. Although i say that having been out for almost a decade.

[Ruffdaddy]

I don't think it's uncommon at all, and even more so I don't think not buying a beer equates to treating people like shit. I've sent care packages, but never made a post half ass bragging about it.

[Dlachance]

I don't think it's uncommon at all, and even more so I don't think not buying a beer equates to treating people like shit. I've sent care packages, but never made a post half ass bragging about it.

It is that they were surprised someone noticed they served the country and showed that they appreciate it. It is rare to find people who will show their appreciation, if they have any.

[lowthreeohz]

When traveling I try to always stop and thank the service members I see in the terminal, often it's just a handshake or a verbal thank you, but it makes me feel good and i know they appreciate it.

[Mysticcobrakilla]

I support our troops. I try and make sure every single one of them I see in uniform gets at the very least a big THANK YOU.

[whitetrash]

I don't think it's uncommon at all, and even more so I don't think not buying a beer equates to treating people like shit. I've sent care packages, but never made a post half ass bragging about it.

I'm not bragging about anything. I'm questioning the 30 or so people around them all basically with their back to them and keeping distance. And why a soldier was surprised to have a nice gesture made to them.

So don't be a dick, dick.

[whitetrash]

I support our troops. I try and make sure every single one of them I see in uniform gets at the very least a big THANK YOU.

This. Everytime i am made aware that someone is a soldier/vet I thank them and shake their hand

[Jimbo]

I don't think it's uncommon at all, and even more so I don't think not buying a beer equates to treating people like shit. I've sent care packages, but never made a post half ass bragging about it.

I'm relatively certain his purpose was to ask if it was an "out of place" act, since he was met with a "baffled" response.

[KungFuHamster]

i cant speak for other services, but being a Sailor, my first duty station was Norfolk, VA.
there, you don't go out in public in uniform if you can help it. People do not care for military there. Same in San Diego, but a little less so (due to the high number of filipinos). These are what we call "fleet concentration areas" and due to the high number of military personnel stationed there.

So for me, when someone says "thank you for your service" or buys me a beer, i am ALWAYS extremely humbled and grateful for their acknowledgment.

I went out after the military ball and a wedding in which both occasions i was in uniform and was always treated with an extreme amount of respect here, so there are more people willing to go out their way to say "thanks" to military here than yall may think.

[Hobie]

I gave some kid a ride from the dart rail about a week ago. Shit, I'm getting old, I just realized I called a soldier a kid. Anyways, he was walking away from the dart rail parking area with a HUGE digital camo bag that must've weighed 50+lbs.

He was in town for a couple weeks, headed to his parents place who were still at work, and he initially declined the ride. Said he wasn't going far and didn't need a ride, shit, he ended up being about 5 miles down the road. Good kid, wish him the best of luck.

[Baba Ganoush]

I saw a wounded soldier in babydolls one night. I sent his table a round of drinks, and a few stripper-whores for some pre-paid entertainment for him. I wanted to remain anonymous but the spli-tail pointed me out.