How This Works

Thank you CMB for what you just wrote. It touched my heart deeply. My neighbor and his son were over in Iraq together and he said the exact same thing as you did. He said the people thanked him for being there. He heard more positive things than negative from the people of Iraq. His father proudly served in World War 2 and he said the same thing about his service for our country. They were proud to serve for freedom's sake, for the liberty of a people and to be able to help. This country cares about others. I'm proud to be an American. Yes, Alice, I agree with you, that we should thank our soldiers for serving our country and let them know we're proud of them.
posted by Linda Weaver Clarke on 7/04/08 8:34: AM

Our town just buried Joel Taylor,a soldier recently killed in Iraq. We need to honor him as well as many others that have sacrificed their lives for our country. Blaming and pointing fingers at each other for starting this war needs to stop. We need to support our military. Our country also needs to pray to our Lord Jesus Christ to guide us in our decisions. Without Him, we will become a country who has no religious freedom. Thank you to the military for all your sacrifices!!!!!!!!
posted by Cammie on 7/04/08 8:06: AM

Jimmy Terry is simply a waste of oxygen. Period. I am sure that he enjoys all the attention. It angers me to think that he probably gets off reading comments written about his sick and twisted views. Should you ever need the assistance of an American Soldier, I hope you are somewhere where they can't find you. If you were found, you would get all the help you needed without prejuduce. That's a soldier. You are nothing more than a coward.
posted by Proud to be an American on 7/04/08 8:01: AM

Mr. Terry -- Thank for demonstrating why our first amendment rights are so important. I am glad you are able to speak your mind FREELY and start an open discussion. I have served for 25 years -- voluntarily -- because stupidly or not I love the freedom this country gives its citizens. I have lived all over the world, and this is truly the only country that allows you to achieve your potential through effort and hard work no matter what your race, gender, or religion might be. I have asked many Iraqis what they think of us being there while I was over there with them. Most of them thanked me for being part of a Nation that would free them from Saddam Hussein. Some were still angry we had not completed the job of disposing him in the early 90s. One Iraqi mother wept and hugged me when we came through her neighborhood and praised us for freeing her husband from Saddam's prisons. She made tea for us, and explained she was still very sad, because although she had gotten her husband back, she had lost her youngest son to some of the bombing. This woman loved her hope for freedom so much, she forgave us for killing her son. That was the theme I heard throughout Iraq -- Thank you for giving us a chance at freedom. They know it will be hard work to set up a free nation, and our version of a democracy might not be what they choose. At least now they have a chance to choose. Did I think we should start this war in 2003 -- No, but our CIVILIAN leaders -- the President and the Secretary of Defense -- said we must, and so we did, because the military follows the dictates of our elected and appointed CIVILIAN leaders. Now that we have started this second experiment in forcefully demanding self rule for a peoples, we had better finish it. I hope you will take the time to talk to a few Soldiers and ask them "why?" You may get a variety of answers, but I think you will see a theme, that FREEDOM is worth the fight. Enjoy your fredom, even if you aren't willing to defend it.
posted by CMB on 7/04/08 7:44: AM

Powerful video. I have a son-in-law serving in Iraq now and my own son, Heath, will be going in about 2 months. My daughter served in the US Army as a Captain. I am married to a retired Chief of the US Coast Guard and my father was in the Air Force and a brother, Billy, that served in the US Army in Vietnam. All 4 of my brothers were in the military. How dare anyone criticise the military at anytime and forget what the American Flag stands for.I would love for everyone to support our troops and pray for their safe return to their families.
posted by Phyllis Buck on 7/04/08 7:40: AM

That's a pretty powerful video I think. I have been back from Iraq two years already. We're not the hate mongering bufoons as disallusioned Jimmy Terry thinks we are. We show mercy and kindness to the Iraqi people, however there is war. War is violent, dirty, and ugly. Unfortunatley some innocent people die, but there are terrorist all over this world that seek to kill any American, or non-muslim. They don't discriminate against any race, or political posture, unless you think and like them. Who are the people crazy enough to do the job of the military? I'll tell you, only about 1% of our population that are patriotic enough that love their country, even with all it's faults. Go to Iraq or Afghanistan and see daily how those folks live, and come back to this country and tell me we don't have it great
posted by Mark Mendenhall on 7/03/08 6:55: PM

For Kevin and others that talk bad about our country and military. Enjoy this freedom of speech that you have. Eight members of my family and myself served and is serving in the military to ensure people like you can spew your trash.....freely. This video is awesome ! Semper Fi !!!
posted by Roger on 7/03/08 5:41: PM

We don't think much about the war until we actually know someone who dies for our country. Though we may not agree with why, our soldiers are there, proudly displaying our flag. My dear friend lost a nephew. Though I did not know Michael, the pain I felt for my friend and her family was almost too much to bear. Yes, we are almost immuned to the killing of our soldiers until it actually hits close to home. Thank you to all the service men and women of this great nation. Thank you to their families for their unselfish sacrifice of their loved ones. The children without their parents. Thank You. As we all complain about the economy, our soldiers do not complain. As we complain about the heat, our soldiers do not complain. Next time I feel lonely, I will remember the soldier. Next time I am made aware of another lost soldier, I will reflect on how I am blessed to have such wonderful American brothers and sisters fighting for me. And I will pray that the families somehow feel the Grace that their soldier has bestowed upon us all. Next time you are lucky enough to meet a Soldier or a Vet, just say thank you. Though they don't expect it, you may be surprised at how you feel. THANK YOU.
posted by Alice on 7/03/08 4:47: PM

I for one did serve. US ARMY. I stand not behind or in front but along side are men and women. You dont have to beleive in the war but beleive in rhe men women doing their job keeping you safe. Yes their jobs you do a job everyday. You may not agree with everything your employer does but you do your job.
posted by michael dangerfield on 7/03/08 4:30: PM

That video was awesome--I hope all the younger men and women of this great country of ours see this and then try to think back to their parents, grandparents and great grands and see just how much they fought to bring our country to where it is today and that no matter where in the world they maybe-be proud to be an American. Here's to you MR1 Michael Baird, US Navy Petty Officer First Class, I am so proud of you, my friend, my husband and my hero.
posted by Jill on 7/03/08 3:00: PM

Freedom is precious to all of us. It isn’t free, but it’s fought for. Have you ever wondered why tears so freely come to our eyes when we hear the Star Spangled Banner as our flag waves in the distance? Why do we value our freedom and hold it so close to our hearts? Samuel F. Smith wrote, “My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims’ pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!” Our freedom was a God-given gift given to those who so valiantly fought for this liberty. These brave patriots hungered for freedom of choice, for their rights, and to worship according to the dictates of their own heart. The patriots fought with every fiber of strength they had, both bond and free. Many were barefoot and in tattered clothes; some were deathly sick and hadn’t had a decent meal for months. They were weary and hungry but yet they still fought for what they believed in. The patriots knew the value of freedom and were willing to pay the price. Many of these brave men were even willing to die for freedom. Be proud to be an American. The next time we look at our flag, remember the cost as you pledge your allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Without God’s help, we would never have won the war alone. Samuel Smith wrote, “Our fathers’ God, to thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing; Long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light. Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King!”
posted by Linda Weaver Clarke on 7/03/08 1:27: PM

Sad to think people don't get it..... You nailed it.... God Bless
posted by You said it all on 7/03/08 11:52: AM

Hey Jimmy Terry: YOU SAID: "...this war that we ourselves mistakenly started. People are just brainwashed" Well, I agree with the brainwashing part. YOU have been brainwashed by liberal media, liberal educators, and the elite leftist Democrats who monopolize our airways. Obviously the lack of parenting by your idiot parents has allowed it. So, here's hoping we never suffer another 9/11, but if we do, I sincerely hope you are living at the epicenter so that, as you lay dying, you will realize your own stupidity.
posted by moronhunter on 7/03/08 11:28: AM

Mr Kevin, We do not need people like you in this country. You are one of the reasons we would like you to move to another country. If you do not like it here GET THE HELL OUT!!!!!!!!!!
posted by Patsy on 7/03/08 8:01: AM

To Mr. Terry- Watch the video again and you will see what we like about this country!
posted by Bill on 7/03/08 7:51: AM

Mr. Terry, war sucks. It sucks for everybody involved. I would like to know what you like about this country.
posted by Kevin on 7/03/08 7:20: AM

That was very moving...thank you!
posted by Debbie on 7/03/08 6:33: AM

Jimmy Terry, it must be nice to live in a country where if you voice your opinion, no matter how ignorant, you don't get shot or imprisoned for it. It's sad that voices like yours are even being heard in our country, but just for that right, you should be down on your knees in front of a soldier, as so many have given their lives to allow you the right to be ignorant and disrespectful.
posted by Heather on 7/03/08 6:26: AM

Jimmy Terry: I would give you $1000 cash if you could say that to a soldiers face and live to tell about it. How dare you. My brother is a Ranger and just left for Iraq for his second deployment. When was the last time you sacraficed anything for our country? You should have been an abortion.
posted by Colin on 7/03/08 4:22: AM

Jimmy Terry, you better run to Canada, you never served. your just a waste of life yourself. go hide in your own wing.
posted by r.g. on 7/02/08 9:47: PM