Yep, I started stalking your blog

What great sightings. How many ended up turning up for the signing? I’ve had a recurring dream since I was a kid that I became famous for something–was at an autograph signing–and no one showed up. I think that might have been a SATC episode, too.

Anyhow, onto the soldier. I read an interesting interview in GQ this month with Colin Powell where he says the following (and I think it is applicable here):

GQ: Isn’t the new global threat we face even more dangerous?

CP: What is the greatest threat facing us now? People will say it’s terrorism. But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system? No. Can they knock down a building? Yes. Can they kill somebody? Yes. But can they change us? No. Only we can change ourselves. So what is the great threat we are facing?

I am truly against this war but it is the politicians I am angry with, not the soldiers who are called to defend because it is their job. Don’t get me started on pulling our local militia (National Guard) to go overseas. They didn’t sign up for Iraq.
I am glad for the reminder of respecting the returning men & women, and treating them with kindness.

I live near Walter Reed, and often when I’m out around town, I see young men and women fresh out of the hospital, some with new prosthetics, some still in wheelchairs, some on their first trip to a movie theater or a Starbucks since leaving the hospital. It’s pretty hard. I feel sympathy, and anger and the unfairness of injured young men, but I know why folks go into the military and I don’t feel political about it when I’m holding the door open for them to get their wheelchair through.

My brother is ex-military. There are a lot of reasons folks go into the military and it’s not my job to question why they do. Question the politicians? Sure. Not the soldiers.

And thanks for sharing about your encounter on the plane. Sara’s right. You’re thoughts are those of many people. It was brave of you to share them with us honestly and to ask “what to say to a soldier.”

Sara, thank you so much for what you’ve shared. I don’t think we honor our soldiers one bit by chastising their choice to serve. We are in a huge mess, and it’s not right. But I will support our soldiers and appreciate their many sacrifices.

A member of our Sunday school class serves overseas. He has two young teens and a wife who spend many long weeks without him. Last time he was in town, we welcomed him warmly. I think simply hearing “Good to have you back” meant a lot to him. When he and others go, they are fulfilling their duty, just as we fulfill our duty by following through on tasks required of us in our jobs. Theirs is, of course, a matter of life and death, and for that I think they deserve our consideration and even our respect, regardless of our opinions on the war.

Thanks again, Robin, for bringing up this weighty issue.

And I would agree with Judy’s son: it’s his job. Not a political football to be tossed around.

In fact, military personnel cannot actively campaign for any political candidate or party…not even with a sign in their own yard. They are supposed to be willing to serve whomever is chosen to lead them. And many of them feel that it’s inappropriate to engage in a political discussion of their orders while still in uniform.

Here’s a link about it: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=25721

The most important thing, though, is to keep sitting next to soldiers. Even if you’re upset about what they do. Or feel uncomfortable or awkward or sad. They serve for all of us, even the angry and the doubting, and you should get to know them.

I’ve actually had some pretty interesting conversations with Judy’s oldest son about the military and things that he has seen in his various military engagements. He does seem to make it to all the big ones…

Usually there’s more talk when her other son is around, who spent time in the military too, so they have a shared perspective.

It’s awkward saying anything meaningful on an airplane, unless you happen to be Heather’s husband… It’s much more polite to just lean over and watch their movie, without sound, on their daughter’s dvd player.

And I’m with you Robin, if we are going to invade a country, at least plant a flag, give them representation, convert them to PV electric and wind power, and charge them taxes. I say let’s take France next. They fold like a cheap suit all the time.