Chris wrote on May 14, 2008 4:00 PM:I would still like to know what we are appreciating them for.

To Chris wrote on May 14, 2008 5:54 PM:Nice we live in a country that has free speech. Military = Young kids right out of high school serving this country and protecting your right to free speech. Blame our leaders in Washington for this mess. The military is only there to serve the people of this country by following the wishes of our fine elected officials.

Albert wrote on May 14, 2008 5:59 PM:Fantastic event and I'm looking forward to attending.

Chris, we're appreciating the soldiers for keeping this a free country where any un-American idiot like you is still allowed to breath and speak your mind.

Chris wrote on May 14, 2008 8:40 PM:I would like to ask "to Chris" and Albert who our military is protecting my right to free speach and freedom from. Do you think you can answer the question without a lot of rhetorical nonsense. How about the Iraqis who we killed hundreds of thousands of. They have no navy or airforce. I heard the same bull when we were in vietnam. As one person said "have you seen any North Vietnamese anywhere but vietnam"? The military is not and never has (maybe except the American revolution)defended my freedom or right to free speach so try another excuse for supporting the military that is bankrupting our country. Enough of all that nonsense.

GMN wrote on May 14, 2008 11:15 PM:To Chris,
Please tell me you serve your country, serve your community, volunteer, or do anything other than prove that the U.S. does allow free speech by posting your stupid comments!!!!

Are you kidding Chris wrote on May 15, 2008 5:40 AM:Try World wars I and II. You would be speaking German right now if we had no military. Moreover, the technology developed initially for military use is a primary reason for our advancement in medicine, comminucation, infrastructure and most other aspects of civilization.

What do you propose we do about the tyranny throughout the world? What would you have done after 9/11? I suspect the answers to these questions are why you are not a respected leader in your community.

Chris wrote on May 15, 2008 10:19 AM:So are you kidding says that I would be speaking German right now if we had no military. Obviously are you kidding has no idea about what was going on in WW1. I suggest that he or she start doing some reading before making such absurd statements. In WW11 the Japanese nor the Germans were comming over here. I am not saying we should not have entered WW11 but if we hadn't we still would not have been invaded. I am astonished at the total ignorance of people concerning history. Do some research before comming out here and spouting nonsense.

birdie wrote on May 15, 2008 10:21 AM:Hey Chris, up your nose with a rubber hose. We all know your opinion, no need to remind us everyday. Get some new material.

Chris wrote on May 15, 2008 10:37 AM:My only comment to Birdie is to just fly off somewhere far away.

To Chris -Veteran wrote on May 15, 2008 11:24 AM:All of people I have ever met agree with Chris, except one sales person in Alaska. Relevant or not as a retired military [retired in 1974]-I am cursed out and called a fool- or people just shake heads whenever I mention my over 20 over years service and 1969-70 tour in VN. Cursed out on cruise ships-vacations, or family gatherings. I am familiar with towns that displayed signs- Military and Dogs Keep off the Grass! So Chris bats 99% and the pro military civilians I have met in my extensive world travels in the past 30 years is 1%-the salesman in Alaska. Even at the University I attended in -Boot Strap- If the Professor knew you were military it was an automatic lower grade. My experience.

Which is it Chris wrote on May 15, 2008 12:29 PM:Should we have a military for times such as WWII or have no military and be taken over by the dictators that do have a military? People like you have no backbone to stand up to tyranical dictators

If you recall the US was attacked before it entered WWII.

Citizen X wrote on May 15, 2008 12:44 PM:I'm thanking them for protecting our freedoms, including the freedom of speech so that people like "Chris" can make any ... remark they want without fear of persecution for their ignorance.

What about wrote on May 15, 2008 12:51 PM:all of the peace keeping missions that are possible only because our military participates. The U.S. military consistantly proves that it is the only organization capable of delivering large amounts of supplies and medical treatment to areas devastated by natural disaters - i.e. Indonesia after the Tsunami.

Chris wrote on May 15, 2008 1:59 PM:I am not so much against individuals who served in the military althoug some are disgusting. But it is the military organization that is incidious. Most of the American people are ignorant period. They look to the military as god and listen to the liars and theives that compose our government. I am not saying not to have a military but the one we have is a bloated institution and the American people are only too willing to send them off to teach the rest of the world who is boss. They don't care about the carnage in Iraq and are willing to support trashing Iran. The military itself promotes this fantasy about how without them we are doomed and how they are fighting our enemies. The military is the problem and without them we wouldn't have all these enemies. So the military is making enemies so they can go to war. Now of course our military makes a bloody mess out of enerything. Over 90% of the people they kill or wound are noncombatants. There is no hope for this country because criminals are running it and the people are ignorant to the Nth degree.

Dog To Chris wrote on May 15, 2008 3:57 PM:All of your points are true in some situations. The military can be disgusting-Americans are ignorant to alot of what goes on in the world, also some of us believe in the lies, military is bloated ( throwing hand grenades from a trench to an enemy 20 feet away= big manpower)ect. Military leaders are trained for war-no war no job-some countries do not want us there-
Elect another President who is not like the one we have now! Nobody knows and we are not Switzerland! WWII was justified.

Flip flop wrote on May 15, 2008 8:27 PM:So Chris - are you saying that there was no carnage in Iraq before the US involvement? Do you think it is a good idea for Iran to have nuclear weapons in light of the recent statements by its president that he wants to destroy Israel?

Your first comment was why should our military be appreciated - When confronted with valid reasons to appreciate the military personnel you seem to acknowledge that we need military in certain situations but you generally disagree with the leaders of this country. You add no facts in any of your conclusory statements.
Calling people ignorant is the sign of a lack of an ability to make a compelling argument.
There is a large percentage of regular civilians who are disgusting. What does that prove?

If you are as educated as you claim to be, you would recognize that it is the US military that does the hard work of the UN peacekeeping missions - not teaching people who is the boss.

If you have read the news lately - the US is the largest contributor to the UN food program - while the OPEC nations are contributing the least amount of support. How do you think the food is delivered? That is right - the military.

p.s. I am a civilian with no military ties

Chris wrote on May 15, 2008 9:44 PM:There was no carnage in Iraq anywhere near what it is after we invaded. So Iran has nukes. So what. How many countries has Iran Invaded in it's history. It was the US that got Hussein to start a war with Iran. Why are we having a problem with Iran. Again it comes down to the ignorance of the American people. The US brought forth a coup in 1953 that deposed a popular prime minister and with our weapons and traning of the Shaw's secret police he held on to power. So when he was finally deposed the Iranians showed their hatered for the US. Prior to the 1953 incident the Iranians had a great deal of respect for the US. Even after the overthrow of the Shaw Iran sought relations with the US but the US declairs anybody that will not wear our yoke an enemy. Calling people ignorant is not the sign of a lack of an ability to make an argument. It is just the truth. I make valid arguments all the time but the ignorant still believe in fiction because they will never educate themselves and your comment about calling people ignorant is an example. The only hard work done by the US as peace keepers is done when it is we who start an unjustified war and the rest of the world doesn't feel that they should just jump in and support it by occupying a country at the behest of the US. Yes the US does contrubute humanitaryan supplies but the US is also the most destructive country in the world.

No. County Reader wrote on May 16, 2008 4:00 PM:Chris...If you do not like the military which is protecting your and my behind here at home and abroad then get the heck out. Go live in another country if you do not like this "destructive" country. I would rather stand beside a military person than a coward or gang banger any day. There are alot of good things the military does for our society regardless if you and other countries don't like them. I would rather support our military than the people that flee to our "free" country and don't care to assimilate or respect our laws. I stand beside those that volunteer to join the military service. There was a time when you had to do military service...do remember the draft?!! So tonite when you are having a hot meal at home and taking a hot shower...Thank the Military!!!

No. County Reader wrote on May 16, 2008 4:25 PM:To Veteran...Thank You for your service to our country +20 years. I am sorry that in your experience most people were not supportive or appreciative of your sacrifice. I have the utmost respect for our men and women in the military. I was extremely disappointed that there was a very small turn out at the Vietnam Vet paddle-out earlier this year. Thank You from the bottom of my heart! Proud Daughter of A Retired Marine // Proud Mother-in-law of An Active Marine. SEMPRE FI