Rick, you're right. It's not fair for me to denigrate anyone's service, because all who volunteer are WILLING to make the ultimate sacrifice. Even me.

However, I still give mad props to those who have seen terrible things, suffered terrible things, and even those who have had to do terrible things. War sucks, there's no two ways about it. Many of our fellows have had, are having, and will have nightmares for the rest of their lives because as a species, we can't seem to get along.

Here's to hoping that someday, there will be peace.

 

They are making a lot of head way with helping to treat PTSD..there is surely no cure yet and never will be which sucks. Nightmares are a horrible thing and so is the disconnecting and distancing you do to your loved ones. Its a tough life but not just the soldiers suffer from the effects of war their loved ones and friends certainly do too.

 

The way to completely treat and prevent PTSD is to not send troops to fight in illegal wars overseas.

There was no Constitutional declaration of war, and the conflicts are in violation of the UN charter - of which the US is a signatory- and bound to follow per the US Constitution. The justifications of going in based on the threat of WMDs was a fraud - as are/were most of the justifications used in all the conflicts since WW2.

And the so-called "hijackers" were not from Iraq/Afghanistan.

 

Believe me I don't want to start a heated debate over why we're over there. That can (and will) be debated for many years to come. We all have our opinions on that subject. And no amount of debating on an automotive forum will change anyone's mind one way or the other.

The only thing I wanted to give my personal opinion on was your statement, "There was no Constitutional declaration of war..."

I'm no expert, and you may be correct, but personally I consider flying a commercial airliner into the Pentagon a declaration of war. Plus the other three planes confirmed it IMHO.

As far as Iraq/Afghanistan/WMD's are concerned, that's a touchy subject with a lot of people. And could turn ugly quickly. Arguing about it here won't help anything. So let's just leave it at that.

Politics aside. I want to thank all the soldiers who are (and have) put their life on the line so we can enjoy the freedoms we enjoy. Like the saying goes, "Freedom isn't free". And PTSD is a horrible price that our vets pay for our freedom. All the more reason to thank a veteran.

 

The last 'declaration of war' was in 1941 if memory serves correct. How many time since then have we sent troops in harm's way? A declaration of war is not required to send US troops somewhere. Your comment about the 'violation of the UN charter' doesn't make sense. Do some more reading.

The 'so-called hijackers' were from an organization training / operating from Afghanistan. We didn't attack Afghanistan. We entered Afghanistan to find / destroy the terrorist organization that sent the 'so-called hijackers.'

And just out of curiosity, what exactly would you call the 'so-called hijackers?' I mean, they hijacked and brought down four planes. 'Hijackers' seems like a pretty accurate description if you ask me. WTF...

And just for the record, I don't necessarily agree with all the uses of our military forces since WWII. But your comments, especially on this thread, are not warranted or appreciated by those of use who have volunteered out time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears to the benefit of our nation and other less fortunate nations. I've lost friends over the past 20 years. Not one of them gave their lives for high-and-mighty concepts or gave a rats a** whether a 'declaration of war' had been issued. They fought to protect their buddies, plain and simple. The thought of letting down your buds in a life-or-death situation is far more frightening than the thought of dying.

OK, off my soapbox for now...

 

X100. Well said.

 

no truer statement has ever been said.

 

Served from 82 to 90/07 to 08, broke a hip and now I'm chairborn too. We did the right thing going into Afghanistan, although it would have been better to attack Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and Iran, and destroy al-queda once and for all instead of chasing around the bush (pun intended) attacking Iraq for their oil.

 

Very well said!

 

Soldiers have never had any say on whether they agree with why they're being sent. Veteran's Day is NOT the occasion to debate the justifications behind this or any war. Veteran's Day IS the occasion to thank a Vet for your freedom.

Soldiers volunteer for many reasons. Training, school, patriotism, because her boyfriend was joining, and she wanted them to be stationed together... (yes, the last was my initial impetus) but they all feel that their country is worth fighting and in too many cases, dying for. Vietnam Era soldiers were vilified when they came home, but they had no say in WHY they were fighting. They volunteered (or were drafted), they went where they were told, and they killed those they were told were the bad guys.

Would it make it any easier if the common soldier DID have a say? Hell no! An Army CANNOT be run as a democracy. So you go where you're sent, and do as you're told.

You're more than welcome to start your own thread on the legality, justifications, and perceived cover-ups involved in the War in Iraq. Just please don't bring it to a thread that was started as a tribute to the bravery of our soldiers, past, present, and future. It doesn't belong here.

(That said, I don't think we should be in Iraq. I think Bush the first should have finished the job he started and had Saddam killed 20 years ago, then we should have gotten the hell out of Saudi. Perhaps 9/11 would never have happened.)