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A JULY 4th TRIBUTE EVERYONE SHOULD READ
Generally speaking I try to keep politics out of my blog. I couldn't help writing this one though because it means a lot to me and most people don't know how passionate I am about the soldiers that have served in country. This idea for the blog started last night when I was watching a show that was a tribute to our armed forces. It never fails to bring tears to my eyes whenever I watch these shows because it reminds me of all the things that we have. I know this sounds a bit odd, being that I'm a sarcastic idiot most of the time. This really is an area of which I have deep emotion towards. One of my best friends from high school and still my best friend now is serving over in the war. He is stationed in Afghanistan. He never complains, never cries or bitches, never has a bad thing to say about anyone, and he would do anything to help ensure that the freedoms that some take for granted will never be taken away. Every year we get together to go skiing for one or two nights and we stay up all night talking about what it"s like to be involved in the military. He's been positioned in Virginia, San Diego, North Carolina and now over seas. He only has a few days off a year and he makes time to always see his family and me. It just so happened that last year he was visiting the same day as Ryan's surprise 30th birthday. I asked Krissie if she cared if I brought a good friend and she said absolutely not. So long story short my buddy Kirk Anderson, got to meet Ryan, Krissie and lots of other people that are good friends of Ryan and Krissie. Not once during the party did Kirk ever say he wishes he had this kind of life or that he wishes he wasn't serving his country. It's guys like this that you just want to say THANKS to and let them know that what they are doing is appreciated. I don't think soldiers get near enough credit for what they do. It's funny, at all the tracks we go there are soldiers there and they always want to meet us and get pictures taken with us. What we do is a joke in relation to what they go through as a soldier during a war. I guess what bothers me is the fact that some people don't respect what a soldier does. You look on the TV at night and see some hippies booing troops when they come home and I just want to punch the TV and tell the damn tree huggers that if it weren't' for the troops there might not be any trees to hug. I'm not saying I agree with every war that has been fought by this country, what I am saying is that a soldier is a true HERO in my book. Anyone willing to give up a good life and go to war deserves the respect of a hero. Pat Tillman is a man with one of the greatest life stories I've ever heard. He was a professional football player making 3 million dollars a year and dropped everything to go fight in the war following the 9/11 attacks. That's the type people we should be talking about. He is just one example of someone giving up their life to make sure we can live ours.
I hope this post wasn't too hard to follow, but when I get on to something I tend to just write and skip from subject to subject and story to story. Excuse the flow of the blog and try and understand where I'm coming from. I guess it's a lack of respect that makes me get so pissed about the whole thing. In general the racing community is great towards the troops that show up at the tracks. I see lots of drivers taking time out of the pre-race shows to go up and thank troops for the efforts and it makes me feel good to see the look on a soldiers face when Jr. tells them thanks for everything. I guess my rant is over now but I just wanted to let everyone that reads this that is a soldier or has a family member involved in the war to know that I support you and THANK YOU for your efforts.
July 7, 2008 | Permalink
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Comments
Trent, I understand completely where you are coming from.
You are absolutely right, too. Soldiers do not get the respect they deserve from the people who their sacrifices benefit most. I couldn't agree more with you.
Thank you for the excellent post.
Posted by: Jeffro | Jul 7, 2008 11:31:17 PM
I truly know what you are saying.
I remember being in airports when I was in the military during the Vietnam war. People looked at me like I was a criminal. I'm glad our military personel are treated with more respect now, but still not enough.
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.
Posted by: c. hunt | Jul 8, 2008 7:28:19 AM
HOW TRUE! I feel for all the men and women serving overseas, especially the active war zones and there are more than just Iraq, tho they are not necessarily called a 'war', there is still danger every day and night. I don't know how they do it....if my child was over there, I don't believe I could sleep at night much less sit down and really enjoy a race. I don't know anyone personally who is in Iraq fighting, but I know someone who is working over there. Besides the constant danger, I don't know how they stand that creepy music.I received a e-mail in which the contents were...a serviceman asked his wife to send him the 'makings' of American soil, and some grass/grass seed, which she did, he planted a strip of good ole American grass in front of his tent, which all the service men going out on patrol liked to walk through before they left. He was 'mowing' his yard with scissors. It was so sweet.....such a simple thing, bringing so much pleasure.
Posted by: 9fanatic | Jul 8, 2008 7:39:20 AM
I agree 100%. I have a nephew that is similar to your friend. He was tops in his class in high school, and could have chose any college in the country on his way to a Fortune 500 career. Instead he is soon to graduate from West Point, and already serving his country. West Point calls him and his classmates , the class of 9/11. And my nephew admits to being inspired that fateful day.
Yet I'm shocked that this country is about to elect a Commander in chief who is ashamed to wear a flag lapel pin, who wont be seen doing the Pledge of Allegiance, and whose wife "wasn't proud to be from the US"
shame on us.
Posted by: clay | Jul 8, 2008 7:59:44 AM
Dont get me started on that clay. your 100% right on the last sentence.
Posted by: trent | Jul 8, 2008 9:09:39 AM
Thank you for this blog, Trent.
I want to thank all of our servicemen and women, past and present, who have put their lives on the line for our country.
Posted by: JenInIL | Jul 8, 2008 9:38:47 AM
Thank you Trent.
Posted by: Dave in the Bend | Jul 8, 2008 11:46:31 AM
Well said Trent. Thank you for a wonderful blog, and your support of our troops.
My nephew is in the army, serving in Iraq this year, and we just pray we he will come home March 2009.
Posted by: mary4jr88 | Jul 8, 2008 2:00:08 PM
Hi Trent:
As a VietNam veteran and the father of a Iraqui Freedom veteran, thank you for your post. One of the difficulties people have is separating the politics of a war from support of the Warriors. I pray daily for those who serve to protect what we mostly take for granted.
As is said: FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.
Posted by: John | Jul 8, 2008 5:03:03 PM
Thanks for saying what needs to be said over and over again. Some folks in this great nation do take for granted the freedoms they have. Those that are quickest to take freedom for granted are the same who are quickest to bad mouth our soldiers, airmen, marines and seaman. As John said, freedom is not free. The fine young men and women who serve know this better than anyone. They (and their families) are the ones who sacrifice for all of us to enjoy our country and freedom. FYI, myself and my family know this all too well, I spent 20 years serving this wonderful nation...I wouldn't change a thing and if I could, I'd re-enlist tomorrow! I just don't thing the AF wants a 46 year old little round fat man!
Posted by: Tim | Jul 8, 2008 6:06:38 PM
A big concern for myself and friends as soldiers participating in Desert Storm in 1991 was how we would be received when we came home. The welcome home was so good it was overwhelming and surprised us all. What surprised me more was I didn't know how to react to it. I felt like I was just doing my job as an American and I didn't know how to respond when told thank you. I've talked to quite a few fellow soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen who feel the same way. We feel like we were just doing our job. I pray for the ones in harms way today. It is way more dangerous than what I went through and I'm glad we can give them the same welcome home that I received 17 years ago. Thanks for your post.
Posted by: Wayne | Jul 8, 2008 7:39:35 PM
Thank you, Trent, for the best blog I've read in a long time! I believe the politics of the war need to be seperated from the individual heros who put their lives on the line daily for our freedom.
Posted by: Donna | Jul 8, 2008 10:27:33 PM
"You look on the TV at night and see some hippies booing troops when they come home and I just want to punch the TV and tell the damn tree huggers that if it weren't' for the troops there might not be any trees to hug."
with all due respect, you got the wrong decade.
the people in the media who want to divide our country harp endlessly that anyone who dares to say iraq is the wrong country hates our troops and our country.
as a person who thinks iraq is a total mistake and a huge waste of 4 trillion bucks let me say i support our troops and love our country.
"Yet I'm shocked that this country is about to elect a Commander in chief who is ashamed to wear a flag lapel pin, who wont be seen doing the Pledge of Allegiance, and whose wife "wasn't proud to be from the US"
shame on us."
Posted by: clay
well clay, i'm shocked you are so easily led by the political p. r. crap the republicians have made up to bash a fellow american.
divide and conquer, right?
the commander in chief you are so proud of today and who got our troops involved in shithole iraq, during viet nam had his daddy pull strings to get him into the guard. very common for rich kids to do that.
he missed 6 month chunks of meetings and finally moved out of state to hang out drunk and snort coke.
the last presidental canidate who volunteered to go defend our country in nam was totally slammed by the republicans mainly because kerry went there and fought and bush hid out in alabama drunk and high.
so, seldom does a veteran get the thanks due him. or the health care needed when they are wounded and return home.
good blog subject.
well written.
thanks.
Posted by: exile | Jul 9, 2008 12:43:19 AM
Outstanding post Trent.
Wayne, I too am a Desert Storm Vet and know exactly what you are saying. I pray for all that have served and all that will serve.
Posted by: Kendria | Jul 9, 2008 12:47:00 AM
I cant agree with anything your saying exile due to the fact i am a strong republican. Your opinions on Bush are your opinions. I can understand peoples frustration with how the war is going and how it has gone. My only point in this blog was to let everyone know my stance on the soldiers. They are over there fighting so that we can set here and have the right to argue. I think we can both agree on that.
Posted by: trent | Jul 9, 2008 7:16:12 AM
As a father with a Son in Iraq (third tour) and a Son in law in Iraq, and hearing the stories that they tell me. What we get from the "impartial" media is exactly what they want us to hear. There are no stories of the good that soldiers are doing all we hear is about how poorly the war is going, backing it up with low approval numbers for the President. One thing not many media members are saying. Since the war started no more attacks have taken place on our soil, our kids dont have to worry about bomb threats (from terrorists). So the next time you see a soldier walking through the mall or a Marine on the sidewalk tell him or her thank you for making it safe in our country. It is because of the professionalism and dedication of our military we can enjoy the freedoms we enjoy. Sorry for the long post
Posted by: Mhaus | Jul 9, 2008 12:21:28 PM
Exile,
You got a bit of the subject. Trent said that this was not political. All he is trying to remind us of is that we need to honor the soliders, whether you agree with the war or not. They are fighting so that you can have the freedom to speak your mind. Don't abuse that right, and don't spit in their face by making this a political soap box. The solider is not a republican or democrate, they are a solider for all.
Posted by: Carter | Jul 9, 2008 1:11:55 PM
What a very good thought of blog you wrote.
Thank you.
I just get POed when the public does not show military personnel the respect they deserve.
These guys are special citizens ensuring our safety and freedom they should be given special treatment when it comes to finding jobs after serving, medical treatment, home buying and the works. They sacrificed their lives and should be rewarded for that.
Posted by: carfan12 | Jul 9, 2008 1:58:31 PM
My only point in this blog was to let everyone know my stance on the soldiers.
I think we can both agree on that.
Posted by: trent
yeah,
i do agree with that.
Exile,
You got a bit of the subject.
sorry i didn't know you are the moderator here. i don't think trent needs back-up.
"They are fighting so that you can have the freedom to speak your mind. Don't abuse that right, and don't spit in their face by making this a political soap box."
nobody's spiting in the troops face. you need to turn fox news off and get a clue.
Posted by: exile | Jul 9, 2008 3:43:52 PM
Please tell your friend that I'm deeply grateful for those who put their lives between me and those who would destroy me.
Posted by: MBVoelker | Jul 9, 2008 5:10:52 PM
Please tell your friend that I'm deeply grateful for those who put their lives between me and those who would destroy me.
Posted by: MBVoelker | Jul 9, 2008 5:10:54 PM
So,why is exile getting hand-slapped for making it "political" and not clay?
Riiight, because exile's opinion isn't the popular one....
Posted by: J in PA | Jul 9, 2008 11:09:28 PM
Trent,
Sorry, hit post too soon. Great blog this week. I am another who thinks we are in a complete cluster#####, but I would never hold our troops responsible. They do an amazing job.
Ever noticed the disparity in this world. People with the most responsibility in ensuring a future for our world are all the lowest paid people....cops, soldier, teachers...and there are athletes in all sports as well as entertainers (most of whom have NO TALENT whatsoever) that are given millions upon millions of dollars. Doesn't make sense, does it?
I know our soldiers deserve a LOT more than what they get.
Posted by: J in PA | Jul 9, 2008 11:12:17 PM
i finally got it.
y'all are so freakin guilt ridden over the fact you so completely support the total f'up of a president and a v.p. who has made millions in shithole iraq.
your despair is so deep you can't look a soilder in the eyes because your boy sent them into the hell that is iraq the wrong country.
they are not defending us against the enemy in iraq. the enemy from 9/11 is in afganistan which bush totally blew off to go into iraq.
you are responsible for the fate of 4,000+ dead american kids in the WRONG country which just happens to have the the largest reserve of oil.
you like to brag about how much YOU and only YOU support our troops. that's sick. you support sending them into the wrong country and getting killed for oil.
you should hang your head in shame.
instead, you attack people who want to save the troops from iraq and call them traitors.
while american kids are dying y'all talk about lapel pins and some other igornant shit invented by the right wing media to keep your minds off that shithole iraq.
their blood is on your hands.
Posted by: exile | Jul 10, 2008 1:54:00 PM
Excellent post Trent.
THANK YOU to all currently serving our country and those that have in the past as well as their families.
Posted by: ss | Jul 10, 2008 4:26:50 PM
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