Show Respect | Teen Ink

Show Respect MAG

By Anonymous

     The lack of respect which some show for our military is appalling. I am not talking about anti-war protestors, they have every right to their political opinion. I speak of the kids in school who sit down on purpose during The Pledge, of people who lobby to reduce military paychecks, of people who look at me and ask incredulously, "You want to go into the military? Why? Do you like the idea of killing people?" That is one of the most insulting things I have ever heard, and I have heard it more than once.

Let's get a few things straight: war is not fun, war is not cool, war is not glorious. War is a human tragedy that sometimes cannot be avoided. People in the military die to keep us free. When you burn the flag, insult the military, or say you'd like to live in some other country, you forget something: that men and women have laid down their lives to ensure your right to be so opinionated. Is that so hard to understand? Or do you just not care about their sacrifices? They surely did not want to die, but they did, for you and for me, for our way of life.

There's an old saying, "a warrior hopes for peace but trains for war," that holds true today. I pray that there is never another reason for our country to go to war, but if there is, I will go. Some people may be disgusted by that. Since we do live in the United States, they are as entitled to their opinion as I am to mine. I would prefer they changed theirs, but I would never want them forced to do so. Ironically, I could one day die to ensure that those people have the right to insult me. I would not have it any other way.



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This article has 5 comments.


i love this so much!

Daffe10 said...
on Mar. 16 2012 at 1:30 pm
Daffe10, Arlington, Texas
0 articles 0 photos 18 comments

Favorite Quote:
"From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots." -Thomas Jefferson

I agree with this article. Once, when my cousin was on deployment, he and his squad had to escort a reporter everywhere. The reporter was very rude, and at one point he said something along the lines of, "America just loves to kill people, this is why I hate this country." So my cousin said, "If you hate it so much, leave." Anyways, the brave men and women that fight for our freedom everyday don't get the respect they deserve, and they definitely don't get the pay they deserve! Most people can’t wait to turn 18 so they can be an adult. Personally, I can’t wait to turn 22 so I can commission as an officer in the USAF! Aim High ... Fly-Fight-Win!

on Nov. 20 2011 at 11:20 pm
SweetEmily BRONZE, Lake Mary, Florida
1 article 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
your mind is only as strong as your heart

I know that feeling but everyone at my school know who I am and where I stand when comes to the military so no one disrespects the flag or military in front of me know I'll knock them out seeing as my father did 3 tours in Iraq.

on Feb. 25 2011 at 4:46 pm
Oorah_Alchemist, Bluffton, South Carolina
0 articles 6 photos 26 comments

Favorite Quote:
Standing between us and evil.He'll defend to the very last shell.Carnage all around but still unflinching gun blazing as he fell.The brave soldier once at Heavens gate Yells out."One more soldier reporting sir,and I believe I've served enough time in hell.

I completely agree with you. When someone disrespects the flag it hurts soldiers who have died so they could say that pledge. I had someone tell me that they wished my dad came back in a box so they could pee all over his grave. I could've reacted violently (seeing as how my father is Afghanistan) but All I said was And that right there is what my dad is fighting for. So you can spit insults at him an his men. I wil always be faithful to our troops and I am certainly joining the Military ithout hesitation.

on Jun. 13 2009 at 8:26 am
Very interesting... I like this.