NYC-Feature Story

Don’t Dis the Soldiers

By Annmarie Turton

I have five family members who have fought in Iraq, including my brother, who served in Sadr City for a year and eight months. He wanted to join the Army and serve his country from the time he was a kid, and he’s one of the only people I know who has actually lived out his dream.

I admire his willingness to sacrifice himself for the principles we believe in. Unfortunately, the politics behind the war have somewhat overshadowed his valiant efforts. When he returned from Iraq, my family gave him a hero’s welcome, but not everyone was so encouraging.

Soon after his return, my brother went out, in uniform, to get something to eat with some coworkers one night after work. During their meal, a few other customers began heckling them.

Insulted

“What you were doing over there was worthless and ridiculous,” they told my brother and his friends. They continued, saying that the military wasn’t getting anything done. My brother and his friends just ignored them and tried to make the best of their night. When he mentioned the incident to my mom later he downplayed it, but I know that it must’ve hurt to be insulted by the very same people you’re fighting to protect.

I don’t understand how people could be so insensitive. I’d never before heard of anyone booing or disrespecting a soldier. That’s just low. I felt bad for him, and hearing about it really hurt my mom and me, too.

Personally, I believe the U.S. went to war against Iraq and the Taliban prematurely and I don’t agree with the “real” reasons we went to war—like many people, I think we went to war over Iraq’s massive oil reserves. However, I respect my brother’s role as a soldier.

Respectful Disagreement

I know war wasn’t a part of my brother’s dream but, as a soldier, he has to obey orders and complete every task he’s given without hesitation. It takes passion and love of the job to do what he does day in and day out, and bravery to keep fighting even when the situation looks grim. His job is to serve our nation; our job, as his family and country, is to stand by him and his fellow soldiers as they face situations no one should.

Of course, dissent or opposition to war is natural, but people should be respectful in their disagreements. If they have complaints about the way the war is going, they need to request town hall meetings in their communities. Just like your government is obligated to serve and protect you, you are obligated to tell them when they are wrong and work with them to make changes where there are problems.

But even those who disagree with our country’s policies should still be patriotic. To me, patriotism means supporting the troops even when our government makes questionable decisions. Being patriotic is the least we can do in a country that gives us so many privileges.

If I had been there when the hecklers insulted my brother, I would have told them, “You need to respect soldiers even if you don’t agree with their cause. At all times be patriotic, and remember who the people in the armed forces fight for: you.”

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