Yes or No? Bloomberg says that the pentagon has asked that there not be a parade so he is complying. I say let's have a parade!
If they did a parade for the Giants, they should definitely do one for the troops returning.....any reason why he said no?
From what I understand the pentagon stated they didn't feel it was appropriate with troops still in theater. Doesn't really make since; we've had parades before while troops were still in the field.
Kudos to St. Louis for throwing the parade, but the Pentagon doesn't give a crap about St. Louis. So it's not like St. Louis ignored the Pentagon. A parade in New York and DC would be the big ones that would garner major attention and the Pentagon doesn't want them throwing them.
Is this really for the troops that served or to make people have the 'feel good' feeling about our Military. There has become a feeling inside the military that this is more about how American civilians deal with their own feelings than the actual troops that served. I for one think it is a stupid idea and if the event were to take place, I sure as hell would not want anything to do with it. I am not a minority on this issue either...... If you want to give the troops a gift from the American people......pull us out of Afghanstan and keep us out of any Middle East conflicts for 20 years. That would mean more than the fake emotional value that happens with a stupid parade.
Thanks for the post Dale. How do you feel about the largest vet orginzation, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the country’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan calling for the parade? Ahead of Super Bowl, IAVA Calls on the President, New York and Boston Mayors to Hold Ticker Tape Parades Honoring Iraq Veterans
Not a problem mc mark! I lurk like hell here and from time to time.....get a chance to chime in! I think IAVA has good intentions. I really do. I think we, as a country, really have done a lot to better with the relationship between the Military and the civilian world....Especially since the Gulf War. Troops are treated with respect and kindness that, sadly, my father never received when he was in. I go back to my hometown and drink at bars for free.....people let me pass them in line at the store.....and so on. You get the point. But this parade talk is right in line with the bigger issue I and many of my co-workers have been talking about the past 3 or 4 years. Is this ‘kindness’ legit or out of a something political/peoples own self interest? Many (Soldiers and Airman), including myself, feel this parade is nothing more than a political statement intended to make us feel we won something in Iraq. Better yet.....make the American people feel like it was a victory......which will help continue to feed the rise in the patriotic militarism continuing to grow in this country. Please don't get me wrong on this! I am not saying the positive attention we receive is a bad thing. My dad and 2 of my uncle's suffered at the hands of the people in our country after returning from Nam. I am purely thinking about this bigger picture. Just a thought........anyone see it that way?
As someone who was completely against the Iraq War, I think we should throw our troops some huge parades. It's been a long time since we've legitimately won a war and got to come home from it, and we did in Iraq. We should honor our troops and let them have their celebration.
Again, great post Dale Speaking as an Air Force brat (grandfather, father and brother served) I can understand your reservations. But just speaking for myself, I have no self interest or political intentions other than commemorating our troops and the job they did.
We should also honor them by making sure that any vet gets the help he or she needs with any struggles they have returning to civilian life. I think that a parade is a fine idea and support it if that is something that the troops want, but let's not use this type of celebration as a replacement for the tangible help and support that many of them need. Oh and thank you for your service, Dale.
Absolutely! IAVA is a great organization! Check out their website http://iava.org/about IAVA Mission and History Who We Are: IAVA is a 21st Century veterans’ organization dedicated to standing with the 2.3 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan from their first day home through the rest of their lives. In just the last year, IAVA has connected hundreds of veterans with employers, helped over 100,000 go to college on the new GI Bill, and provided mental health support to over 50,000. Sign up to become an IAVA Member Veteran or Civilian Supporter today!
@ mc mark If people across the country have the same state of mind (as you do) about the parade or anything that celebrates the Military.......I think it is great. Glad you understand the worries that many of us have that this parade will be used a political tool. It is sad that that can even be a possibility........but we all know how often it happens. If the IAVA is involved, it makes me feel more at ease with it. Nice call on sharing the IAVA link brother. @ Groogrux Nailed it on the head man! It is upsetting how bad it is getting. I have two close friends with TBI and they were Medically discharged. Now as civilians, they are screwed. Wives and kids suffering right along with them. They get help on different fronts but it is not enough. More can be done and I think people are getting the idea that it is growing into a tragic situation nationwide. By the way.....Thanks for the thanks gentleman! I'll return the thanks to all here for keeping me entertained for the past 5 years. I rarely get involved due to many different factors. But Clutchfans is a daily read at work. Much love!~
