Dear friend of mine,

[Mandy]

I know you had bigger plans for your sons when they graduated from high school, and I know you think the President is a big idiot but please, don't think you know what you are talking about when it comes to the military and military life.
You know nothing.
Your sons are not idiots for choosing a way of life you don't understand.
They may have rose colored glasses on in some cases but honestly, it's not the worst thing they could have done in life, stop making it as if it were.
And don't preach to me about the Navy. You don't know shizz about my branch or what it's like for your life to be totally immersed in it.
I am proud of my hubby and I am proud of the men and women who serve INCLUDING YOUR SONS whether it be Marines or Air Force or any other branch.
Just because you're upset about the whole situation and just because you THINK you know about the military way of life, military rules and regs or anything else having to do with the armed forces doesn't mean you actually do. Your guesses are not facts. Stop talking to me about it because it's pissing me off.






Ahhhhhh I feel better.

[Becca Bonneville]

Amen!!

[pbumbaca]

Good for you Mandy! If either of my sons want to join the military when they grow up I am going to tell them how proud I am of them for wanting to serve their country and then cry because growing up an Air Force Brat know that they will be moving every 2-4 years for the rest of their careers! LOL!

[LivelyLaura]

Being a Marine wife, I totally agree! and if either of my children wanted to join the armed forces, it would be with my blessing!

[Traci Reed]

Preach it! I don't agree with the war but that has nothing to do with our men and women serving!

[my4boys]

I am with ya Mandy.....I have a nephew that served two horrible tours in Iraq and I know he will never be the same after the things he saw but he is out now and doing just fine. I am VERY proud of him and all the other men & women serving our country.

[ZaCola3]

Awww-She's probably just scared to death.
You have to educate her Mandy!
BIG HUGS girl.

[crecia27]

amen!!

[Mandy]

Let me just say that I don't believe our President has always done right. I don't agree with war but I do believe that at times it can be necessary to protect those that cant protect themselves. I believe our country is going to the shi**er and we need someone to step in and help bring this country out of the cr*phole that it's currently in. $4 for gas per gallon, $4 for a gallon of milk......how are poverty level families doing it!?!??!
I don't know but I do love my country and I do love my servicemen and women. They are just like me, trying to work and get a paycheck to feed their families.
So to those that hate the military, bash our men and women and say vile things about the armed forces, I just want to reach out and punch them.
They don't know what it's like to wave goodbye to your spouse, to cry at night hoping he's not killed by morning, to see your children mentally suffer because their father is gone for years at a time.
I don't know why people can't be compassionate & try to understand that just because it's not your life, doesn't mean it's the wrong life.

[ZaCola3]

Originally Posted by Mandy

Let me just say that I don't believe our President has always done right. I don't agree with war but I do believe that at times it can be necessary to protect those that cant protect themselves. I believe our country is going to the shi**er and we need someone to step in and help bring this country out of the cr*phole that it's currently in. $4 for gas per gallon, $4 for a gallon of milk......how are poverty level families doing it!?!??!
I don't know but I do love my country and I do love my servicemen and women. They are just like me, trying to work and get a paycheck to feed their families.
So to those that hate the military, bash our men and women and say vile things about the armed forces, I just want to reach out and punch them.
They don't know what it's like to wave goodbye to your spouse, to cry at night hoping he's not killed by morning, to see your children mentally suffer because their father is gone for years at a time.
I don't know why people can't be compassionate & try to understand that just because it's not your life, doesn't mean it's the wrong life.

You are exactly right, Mandy.
Maybe you should check into being the spokeswife for the American Military.
I can't stand it to hear people talk bad about our country, it makes me a little sick to my stomach.

[Mandy]

Ha, sorry guys. I don't normally like to get controversial or post topics like these but I'm really frustrated today.

[amandabarugh]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

Preach it! I don't agree with the war but that has nothing to do with our men and women serving!

Ditto!

[ColleenSwerb]

Hugs Mandy! I really upsets me when people say or do things like that, especially when they are so completely clueless.

[tlcaudle]

I am with you on that one. I think being in the military is one of the best things, unfortunately,right now, our country is doing what it can to help others be free. I enjoyed my time in the Marines and now I am married to a Marine. I hate it when people don't support the troops. If it was not for them, they would not have what they have now. Makes me want to punch people too! Glad I know people who share my view on this,

God bless our troops!!!!

[meems]

Originally Posted by Mandy

I don't know why people can't be compassionate & try to understand that just because it's not your life, doesn't mean it's the wrong life.

so true!

((hugs))

[scarletsierra]

I've had days when I've felt this frustrated too. And it's always been when someone has preconceived notions about what our military life is like and what our servicemembers are like. I feel ya. It's practically impossible for it not to cut and hit too close to home when you have a loved one serving. She's probably scared for her kids, but hopefully your friend will come around and become proud and supportive so you won't have to throat-punch her.

Hugs!

[Misty Cato]

Ugh - I'm sorry you have to deal with that Mandy. I can see why parents would be scared to see their kids head into combat, but I don't understand why they would be disappointed in the career choice. One can do almost anything in the military - chef, physician, nursing, all sorts of technical and engineering fields, even law in addition to the obvious combat-specific roles. Granted some of these aren't immediate possibilities if you enlist right after high school, but there are still a ton of opportunities.

Hope you are able to find a way to correct her wrong thinking.

[Kat Stokes]

Shame on that lady and anyone else who doesn't support our military. They are the people who continue to fight for OUR FREEDOM!!! I don't necessarily agree with war and such but I support our men and women who serve our country 100%!!!

I also understand how people are scared to see their kids go into the service. My 6 year old thinks he's an "army man" and swears he's going to fly fighter jets. It scares me to death but I will support him 100% if that's what he wants to do when he grows up.

[MelissaL88]

Oh {{{{{HUGS}}}} Mandy. I will be so PROUD if either of my sons choose to go into the service of this country. My father served in the Army in Berlin before the wall went up (1960). My older brother served in the Navy during the Vietnam War (although he was not involved in the fighting over there). My husband drove a tank in the Army on the East-West German border during the 80's (before the fall of the Berlin Wall) and was re-called at the beginning of the First Gulf War.
I think it's horrible for anyone to put down people who serve in our Armed Forces. Those brave men and women are the very ones who protect our freedom and our way of life. Ugh! I will stop now before I really get whomped up!

[joelsgirl]

When you do finally lose your patience with her, Mandy, you must come back here and tell us how you knocked her down. We got your back, girl!

[Priscilla]

((HUG))

[Rae's World]

I am with you too Mandy! I love my country and fully support our troops. I know life is hard for military families and my thoughts and prayers go out to each and everyone. There are stupid people in this world, unfortunately!

[scrapmonkey]

I may not agree with the war or the president, but I agree with you. The military deserves compassion and best wishes - they are everyday people doing a job because they believe in the country. And some are even more than that; they are heroes. There are a few bad apples (aren't there in every bunch?) that spoil it for the rest, but the majority portion of the military have a greater fortitude and conviction than I will ever have. Parents should have pride in their child for going into that service willingly, albeit I would expect some fear involved, as long as the child is going for the right reasons. I know I am proud of my father for having served, even though he was drafted during one of the worst times in US military history. Good luck in getting understanding - however, if they are against for religious reasons (Jehovah's Witnesses, Quakers, etc.) please tread carefully.

[Melissa Bennett]

Thank you so much for posting this!!! As the proud wife of an Air Force man (16 years so far!!) I am just floored at people in this country who bash the military. It is because of the men and women who serve that people like that have the freedom of speech to spout off at the mouth like that, unfortunately. LOL!!

[Angela Spangler]

I hear ya, girl! Most people have no clue.

[Paula]

Well said Mandy!! I have two cousins that served over there and several friends. I think they need our love, support and prayers now instead of the criticism that they get more often than not.