I really appreciate it when you guys greet us over the PA system actually. When I'm just traveling here in CONUS I don't reveal I'm military, but when myself and a few others were coming back from Afghanistan and the crew expressed their gratitude it came as a welcome suprise. And you never know how much it means to you when you come back and realize that you were not forgotten. So thanks again to all you who take the time to let us know that we are still in your thoughts.

Really On Autopilot? Really? Was all that space necessary?:rolleyes:

All I can say is "wow". That attitude burns me up.:mad: I have never been in the military but have family and friends who are/were and I can tell you that regardless of how I may feel about a political situation or the current administration I appreciate the hell out of what those men and women in uniform sacrifice so that we can sit over here and whine on an internet message board. I'm not sure how you can hold any ill will against a member of YOUR armed forces for doing a job requested by YOUR elected "leadership" (if you can call those ass clowns in Washington "leaders"). I make a point of thanking each and every uniformed member of the military that is on my flights because I know (anecdotally at least) what they go through when they wear that uniform.

To get back to the original post, I've flown with several guys that have told the flight attendant when we have military personnel aboard that if they want a drink that the captain is buying. It's a small gesture but I think it's appreciated.

I support the troops by advocating that they be brought home alive NOW, that is how I support the troops, this will be my only comment about why I feel this way. How many more families have to loose their sons and daughters? How many more Iraquis have to die? our troops are not fighting for our freedom in Iraq, forgot what they are their for alreay since every couple of months are "elected" leaders come up with a new excuse.

If we really feel like we want to "support our troops" then we should participate in your local anti war protest and vote in november for an end to this war.

Hold on, my man. You are by no means in a position to tell us what "we should" do.

You are free to take whatever action the constitution and servicemembers' sacrifices allow you to take.

But don't presume to tell others "what we should do."

I agree with you 100% and would like to see the same thing. However, for better or for worse, the US presence there is the only thing holding Iraq together. Look what happened to Afghanistan in the late '80s after the Soviets withdrew and the US just pulled out leaving them high and dry. Twenty years later we have some goon living in the caves there who is more than happy to watch anyone who doesn't subscribe to his particularly radical brand of Islam burn.

Most of the service members I talk to are just as frustrated if not more so as the general public. And it doesn't change the way I feel personally about what those guys go through and it doesn't change how much I appreciate their sacrifice. So instead of getting angry at the uniform, maybe you should focus that anger on the powers that be that created the situation in the first place.

Everyone is entitled to feel how they want to feel. Unfortunately when someone directs their anger at me personally it hurts, and really doesn't accomplish anything, but I never take it personally. Sucks a bit when you actually have stuff thrown at you and are named a "baby killer" but you just suck it up and move on. I don't agree with everything the administration is doing but I'm not free to speak out against it yet. As far as change, protests can work, but a more effective way is to vote. Nothing tells the administration that we don't agree with them better than the country getting together to say "You're fired!!" :)

The only reason people like you are even able to voice your opinions is because of the men and women who have fought to protect your freedom

you talk like you are ashamed to be an american...if you are?? leave...its as simple as that

on a side note...great posts so far guys...glad to see im not the only one supporting these great men and women

People like me? define me? anti american? come on name a single sentence in my post that was anti American. I love my country and I respect our soldiers, that is why I dont want one more of them to be killed uselessly. I feel that I support my troops more than people that put a support our troops/W bumper sticker in their cars.

It is sad that in this country if you dont blindly agree with everything the government does you are labelled anti american, unpatriotic, traitor. In fact this sounds familiar, were are people given lables when they question the governments actions? Soviet Union, China, Cambodia, Cuba, Venezuela.................

Again I challange you to point one word were I am anti american

fit29 -

"If we really feel like we want to "support our troops" then we should participate in your local anti war protest and vote in november for an end to this war."

Before you go ranting on about the current administration and such just realize that before this war (or these two wars if you like to think of it that way) the last Democratic administration used the military in operations more than anyone in the last 30 years or so; and put the military in situations either where we shouldn't have been or in situations without proper support.
Just because the the leadership *might* change (and by this I mean the party) this coming election - it does not mean that the military still won't be engaged somewhere, doing something, and sons and daughters will be lost to conflict. It is what we do.

USMCFLYR

:confused: