Soldier opinion in the Lewistown paper

Post by **SonomaCat** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:27 pm

This is a really strange piece. To give some background for people who don't know, Lewistown is just about as pro-military and Republican of a place that one can find.

The writer apparently interpreted the looks from several people who didn't outwardly thank her as being hostile towards the military. It would shock me if there is even more than a handful of people in the entire county who would think negative thoughts about someone in the military, much less make a subtle gesture to a military person.

I read this and have my own take on the situation, but I am more interested in how others read this, especially those who are familiar with Central Montana and/or are in the military themselves. How does what she writes compare/contrast to your own experiences?

http://lewistownnews.com/guestopinion.html

Cat-theotherwhitemeat · Post by **Cat-theotherwhitemeat** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:11 pm

This is the paragraph that sums it up....

While I was in Lewistown, the first day I was walking around in uniform and people just stared. I had only two people say thank you. The rest of the people looked at me like I was stupid and some even shook their heads. I took that as a hit and did not understand why they would treat me that way.

The only thing I can think of is maybe the ones that stared, did so in awe. As if they couldn't think of anything to say to such a brave individual. To those that shook their heads, they are the ones that should have their head shook at. Whether or not you are against the war in Iraq is irrelevant in how a soldier should be treated.

A soldier doesn't pick the fight they are in, but they fight for one reason, to protect the freedom of America. It is possible to support our fighting soldiers without agreeing with the war they are fighting in. She may have dramatized ill feelings after hope for a hero's welcome didn't meet her expectations. But even if one person shook their head at her, they need a smack upside the head. She's putting her life on the line so that others are guaranteed the right to freedom and the last thing she needs is some anti-war chest pounding coward trying to make a statement.

I guess you could say that the story pissed me off. I hope she knows that most people support our soldiers, if not the war.

Post by **kmax** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:16 pm

Interesting read. It is kind of hard to say something without knowing the full story behind everything, but my initial reaction to the way she wrote it was that she seemed to go out of her way to seek out gratitude, and then was disappointed/upset when she didn't get enough of it. I too would heavily doubt that people in Lewistown would be "shaking their head" at a soldier out of any kind of disgust or animosity. But with the feeling that she was searching for compliments and kind words it is easy to see how slight apathy towards her could have been misconstrued as animosity.

Just my feelings from reading it. Please don't anyone misconstrue these comments as me saying that people in the military don't deserve our gratitude as I have an undying gratitude towards those who make that sacrifice, this was just what I got out of this article.

mquast53000 · Post by **mquast53000** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:19 pm

Kmax you are a jerk

Post by **kmax** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:22 pm

mquast53000 wrote:Kmax you are a jerk

Why? Like I said, it is hard to say without having been there, but just from the paragraph that Meat quoted that is the feeling I got. I could be wrong, BAC asked for thoughts from reading the article, I gave them, if that makes me a jerk, guess I will have to take that.

mquast53000 · Post by **mquast53000** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:25 pm

kmax wrote:
mquast53000 wrote:Kmax you are a jerk

Why? Like I said, it is hard to say without having been there, but just from the paragraph that Meat quoted that is the feeling I got. I could be wrong, BAC asked for thoughts from reading the article, I gave them, if that makes me a jerk, guess I will have to take that.

Kmax, I was kidding. You are not a jerk.

Cat-theotherwhitemeat · Post by **Cat-theotherwhitemeat** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:29 pm

Yeah, she may have been looking too hard. However, if there was some head shaking and I was in her shoes, I would have gone up and inquired what the deal was. Was it directed to her? Was it a statement of opposition to the war? or soldiers in general? Or, was it possibly a sexist thing and they opposed to women in the armed forces? We'll probably never know, but at least it gives us something to talk about.

Kmax, ya jerk.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:44 pm

Knowing the people of that area, I have a really hard time believing that anybody would shake their heads in disapproval of her because she was in the military (maybe there was something else she was doing that caused the reaction, or maybe somebody standing behind her that was doing something, or maybe they were replying "no" to a question that somebody asked them as they happened to pass through her line of vision?).

My gut reaction was close to kmax's, but I don't really know enough about it to have a strong opinion. If anything, maybe the sexist theory is on the right track, but even that seems like a long shot. There are a lot of Air Force people in the area for the missile bases, so this would not be the first time that anybody had seen a woman in uniform.

I don't know, the whole thing just seemed weird. I got the feeling that she really expected everyone to come up to her and thank her personally and praise her decision to join the military (maybe a bit of a daydream fantasy that didn't quite come true -- those always hurt).

It will be interesting to read the letters that follow in the coming weeks. I'm guessing at least one will be a bit defensive about what she said, and a couple will support her, condemn the head shakers, and express embarrassment that such people live in their fair town (or suggest that they were from elsewhere).

BleedsBlue&Gold · Post by **BleedsBlue&Gold** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 9:00 am

On the same subject, I was in the Boise airport last week when a Gaurd Unit returned home from Iraq.

The airport was filled with smiles and gratitude. I was touched by the warm welcoming that strangers showed these soilders as they walked through the airport to meet their awaiting families. I don't know if anybody saw the Budweiser commercial where everyone in the airport started clapping for soilders as they returned, but I was tempted to start the scene. Instead of clapping I witnessed many verbal and non-verbal thank-you's. Smiles, handshakes, pats on backs, and offers of drinks/meals just to name a few.

I will forever remember the humbling observance of the welcome home signs, ballons, hugging and kissing that occured as the soilders met with family, friends and loved ones . Children in the arms of their moms or dads for the first time in over a year and in one case, a father who held his baby for the first time.

A mix of emotions ran through my heart and mind during this time. Happiness and excitment for those who have returned safely to their families. Hope and prayerfullness for the many who are still in service. But one of the most prominant feelings I had was for the families who will not have their soilders coming home. For those who lost loved ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice. My heart aches but is filled with deep gratitude for these families and individuals.

I am extremely grateful for the great men and women who have served our nation and world with honor. I am grateful for the many sacrifices that they and their families have made. I do not know that I could contain myself if I ever witnessed an individual shaking their head or mocking one of these great heros.