Do military/war veterans deserve respect?

[Clizby Wampuscat]

Do military/war veterans deserve our respect for being a military/war veteran?

I have had several friends up and join the military. I have been best of buds with grizzled war veterans. I never gave them disrespect, though I myself didn’t join the military on account of my moral principles. I guess I understand the intent and can compartmentalize and respect the intent an American has when they join the armed forces. Example: one of my former best friends joined because 9/11 happened and he ended up deep in Afghanistan. I can respect the reason he signed up, but can I respect his actions? I never told him “thank you for your service” but I did offer a listening ear and a lot of beer.

Everyone seems to be like “Iraq War? BOOOOOOOOOI! Vietnam War? BOOOOOO!!!” And yea of course people don’t like that those wars happened.

I just see cognitive dissonance I guess. People are like “That war was awful, we should have never been there!” then are like “Thanks for fighting that war for us, bud!”

What is the proper attitude? I feel bad for veterans, but maybe they end up messed up because they messing around where they shouldn’t. I suppose it’s just a tragedy.

People can decide for themselves. I am a Navy veteran and never was in a combat situation and don't care if people respect that or not. But I think people that were in a combat situation do deserve more respect/honor than people like myself that were not.

 

[Clizby Wampuscat]

I'm not a veteran myself, but some of the "thank you for your service" interactions I've witnessed have come across pretty cringey.

Lots are sincere, but I get the impression from some that they're making a show of it: that it's about demonstrating to anyone watching that they're the sort of person who "supports the troops."

Personally, I don't see it as very respectful to use service members or veterans as props for their own self-aggrandizement.

I don't mind it. I think people are sincere and want to show respect and this is how they have learned to do so. It is like people that want to pray for me. I take that as they care about me and to them are doing something good for me.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I don't mind it. I think people are sincere and want to show respect and this is how they have learned to do so.

Depends. Most seem sincere, but some don't come off that way.

It is like people that want to pray for me. I take that as they care about me and to them are doing something good for me.

That can be performative, too.

 

[Tomef]

Do military/war veterans deserve our respect for being a military/war veteran?

I have had several friends up and join the military. I have been best of buds with grizzled war veterans. I never gave them disrespect, though I myself didn’t join the military on account of my moral principles. I guess I understand the intent and can compartmentalize and respect the intent an American has when they join the armed forces. Example: one of my former best friends joined because 9/11 happened and he ended up deep in Afghanistan. I can respect the reason he signed up, but can I respect his actions? I never told him “thank you for your service” but I did offer a listening ear and a lot of beer.

Everyone seems to be like “Iraq War? BOOOOOOOOOI! Vietnam War? BOOOOOO!!!” And yea of course people don’t like that those wars happened.

I just see cognitive dissonance I guess. People are like “That war was awful, we should have never been there!” then are like “Thanks for fighting that war for us, bud!”

What is the proper attitude? I feel bad for veterans, but maybe they end up messed up because they messing around where they shouldn’t. I suppose it’s just a tragedy.

Depends what you mean by respect. Appreciate maybe. I knew some real nutters in the army who only functioned because they had other people to tell them what to do. Some soldiers do utterly appalling things when given the opportunity. Generally putting anyone on a pedestal is a bad idea, bad because it creates a situation where you are conjuring up a feeling because you feel like you should, without understanding why.

 

[Heyo]

Do military/war veterans deserve our respect for being a military/war veteran?

I have had several friends up and join the military. I have been best of buds with grizzled war veterans. I never gave them disrespect, though I myself didn’t join the military on account of my moral principles. I guess I understand the intent and can compartmentalize and respect the intent an American has when they join the armed forces. Example: one of my former best friends joined because 9/11 happened and he ended up deep in Afghanistan. I can respect the reason he signed up, but can I respect his actions? I never told him “thank you for your service” but I did offer a listening ear and a lot of beer.

Everyone seems to be like “Iraq War? BOOOOOOOOOI! Vietnam War? BOOOOOO!!!” And yea of course people don’t like that those wars happened.

I just see cognitive dissonance I guess. People are like “That war was awful, we should have never been there!” then are like “Thanks for fighting that war for us, bud!”

What is the proper attitude? I feel bad for veterans, but maybe they end up messed up because they messing around where they shouldn’t. I suppose it’s just a tragedy.

Veterans deserve pity.
They have been used by the system. They have been lied to and many, who have been hurt, were dropped and forgotten.
I used to think that it was their own fault, that they knew what they were doing, but I'm not so sure about that any more. The cult around the military, the media and, yes, the "thank you for your service" display serving as an honourable thing. I expected smart people to see through that - but most people aren't that smart, that's how the cult perpetuates. It's a sad affair.

 

[Arnaud1221]

I think there is different type of army. So depending on the type.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

Do military/war veterans deserve our respect for being a military/war veteran?

I have had several friends up and join the military. I have been best of buds with grizzled war veterans. I never gave them disrespect, though I myself didn’t join the military on account of my moral principles. I guess I understand the intent and can compartmentalize and respect the intent an American has when they join the armed forces. Example: one of my former best friends joined because 9/11 happened and he ended up deep in Afghanistan. I can respect the reason he signed up, but can I respect his actions? I never told him “thank you for your service” but I did offer a listening ear and a lot of beer.

Everyone seems to be like “Iraq War? BOOOOOOOOOI! Vietnam War? BOOOOOO!!!” And yea of course people don’t like that those wars happened.

I just see cognitive dissonance I guess. People are like “That war was awful, we should have never been there!” then are like “Thanks for fighting that war for us, bud!”

What is the proper attitude? I feel bad for veterans, but maybe they end up messed up because they messing around where they shouldn’t. I suppose it’s just a tragedy.

Well I think that what I respect with them, is less their relationship to country, than their ability to have reach a supposed peak within the human body, and perhaps mind. An accomplishment of toughness, in a more less objective measure, seems like something they reached, or touched on, in their lives. But I also would have to respect their relationship to country, because after all, I seem to ultimately believe in this way of life here, in spite of the many criticisms I have of it. It's complicated and abstract, but that's how I sort of see it at the moment

I've known veterans, in the form of different bosses I've had, family members, and people I've played music with. And although some seemed to have personal issues, it isn't something I want to judge them that harshly for. I don't entirely know the cause, or the solution. I used to visit my uncle who was in the navy, in a remote cabin in the woods, and I worked with him for a while. He was on and off whiskey, and eventually died of cirrhosis of the liver

Last night I watched this hour long thing on youtube, about a marine jungle survival course. And I can tell that I wouldn't have been able to hack it, so just for seeing what they were capable of in that challenge, I respect them

I don't tell them about it in public, I just leave them be

After 9/11, I was around 18, and I thought of trying to join. However, my dad said he would 'disown me,' or something like that. And in retrospect, I don't think I would have passed. Now I'm 38.. I guess people who joined at my age now get to retire right? I don't know, I just don't think I'd be able to have done it, I have enough trouble in normal life

 

[Revoltingest]

Do military/war veterans deserve our respect for being a military/war veteran?

That is a neutral factor.
It doesn't speak to things like honoring obligations,
service to others, peacefulness, & such.

 

[Balthazzar]

Do military/war veterans deserve our respect for being a military/war veteran?

I have had several friends up and join the military. I have been best of buds with grizzled war veterans. I never gave them disrespect, though I myself didn’t join the military on account of my moral principles. I guess I understand the intent and can compartmentalize and respect the intent an American has when they join the armed forces. Example: one of my former best friends joined because 9/11 happened and he ended up deep in Afghanistan. I can respect the reason he signed up, but can I respect his actions? I never told him “thank you for your service” but I did offer a listening ear and a lot of beer.

Everyone seems to be like “Iraq War? BOOOOOOOOOI! Vietnam War? BOOOOOO!!!” And yea of course people don’t like that those wars happened.

I just see cognitive dissonance I guess. People are like “That war was awful, we should have never been there!” then are like “Thanks for fighting that war for us, bud!”

What is the proper attitude? I feel bad for veterans, but maybe they end up messed up because they messing around where they shouldn’t. I suppose it’s just a tragedy.

Is the wolf wrong for protecting his pack from predators? How about a she bear who protects her cubs? Some people sign up because it's in them to be that type of individual. I respect that type of character. Jesus wasn't much different. He was one who gave his all for his friends, only he was in position where violence would not have been effective. It's like having two bullets between 12 people to handle a troop of 20 to 30 who were fully armed and prepared. In any case, most of them, I would suggest are deserving of respect. I hate violence and the thought of war keeps me on edge. It's an uneasy feeling I'd prefer replaced with greater comfort, but that isn't always accommodated in life.

 

[Twilight Hue]

People can decide for themselves. I am a Navy veteran and never was in a combat situation and don't care if people respect that or not. But I think people that were in a combat situation do deserve more respect/honor than people like myself that were not.

That's me as well I served just like anybody else but I've never saw a combat and as far as I'm concerned I'm just a serviceman and those who have combat experience should be the real veterans. The ones who actually shed blood or risked life and limb for this country. Those are the people you need to really thank.

 

[The Hammer]

Is the wolf wrong for protecting his pack from predators? How about a she bear who protects her cubs? Some people sign up because it's in them to be that type of individual. I respect that type of character. Jesus wasn't much different. He was one who gave his all for his friends, only he was in position where violence would not have been effective. It's like having two bullets between 12 people to handle a troop of 20 to 30 who were fully armed and prepared. In any case, most of them, I would suggest are deserving of respect. I hate violence and the thought of war keeps me on edge. It's an uneasy feeling I'd prefer replaced with greater comfort, but that isn't always accommodated in life.

"A cowardly man
thinks he will ever live,
if warfare he avoids;
but old age will
give him no peace,
though spears may spare him."

Stanza 16, Havamal.

 

[Revoltingest]

That's me as well I served just like anybody else but I've never saw a combat and as far as I'm concerned I'm just a serviceman and those who have combat experience should be the real veterans. The ones who actually shed blood or risked life and limb for this country. Those are the people you need to really thank.

Even they can be unworthy of respect.
One vet I know, a friend, joined simply
because he wanted to kill commies.
He was badly injured in 2 tours.
Is a desire to kill something to respect?

 

[Balthazzar]

"A cowardly man
thinks he will ever live,
if warfare he avoids;
but old age will
give him no peace,
though spears may spare him."

Stanza 16, Havamal.

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace."

Stanza 1 - 8, Ecclesiastes 3rd book

 

[Heyo]

That's me as well I served just like anybody else but I've never saw a combat and as far as I'm concerned I'm just a serviceman and those who have combat experience should be the real veterans. The ones who actually shed blood or risked life and limb for this country. Those are the people you need to really thank.

I respect and admire people who defend their country against aggressors.
But those who really did that, are over 80 years today. WWII was the last time the US had to be defended against an aggressor. Since then, the US has been the aggressor. I don't have respect for bullies and I don't have respect for their pawns, just pity if they were dumb enough to not see what they were used for.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Even they can be unworthy of respect.
One vet I know, a friend, joined simply
because he wanted to kill commies.
He was badly injured in 2 tours.
Is a desire to kill something to respect?

I think the more important question is what would happen to our country if we refuse to engage threats?

 

[Revoltingest]

I think the more important question is what would happen to our country if we refuse to engage threats?

Irrelevant to the thread.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Irrelevant to the thread.

Nope. Very revelant.

 

[Revoltingest]

Nope. Very revelant.

The thread is about deserving respect.
Not the utility of killing enemies in war.

 

[Twilight Hue]

The thread is about deserving respect.
Not the utility of killing enemies in war.

You're the one who brought up the irrelevant Topic first in post 32. Don't put the blame on me for it then, and maybe you should take your very own advice as this thread is for deserving respect and not utility of killing enemies in the war as you just stated.

 

[Revoltingest]

You're the one who....

You don't understand #32.