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Here in southern Afghanistan, I often ask the soldiers what they think about the things folks are saying about the war back home. The question is usually phrased as a simple, "Does the American public get it?"
How can they? The don’t feel the heat, the fear, the flies. Who can understand what it’s like to know the next step may be your last -- unless you’ve been there? Still, it’s a question often on soldiers’ minds.
First Lt. Christopher Babcock, of New Orleans, gave an answer that I’ve often heard from soldiers over the years.
Babcock is as smart and capable a platoon leader as I’ve ever met. He joined the Army as an enlisted soldier in 1997 and served as a combat medic in his first tour in Baghdad. He went to Officer Candidate School in 2008 and earned a commission.
He said, "I’ve had people come up to me and say ‘I support the troops, I want you out of there.’ Really? What have you done to support the troops? What have you done other than complain? Have you petitioned the halls of Congress? Have you written your representative? Have you asked the president to increase our pay, increase our benefits? That’s supporting the troops. Saying you want the troops out of Afghanistan by talking to no one of influence is wasting your time, and you’re a complainer. And you’re not supporting the troops.
"Do something for us. Call your senator, talk to your senator. Talk to your representative. If you want us to stay here and continue to fight this war on terror, tell your senator, tell your representative. If you don’t want us to fight this war on terror, and want us back home, call your representative, call your senator. Write them a letter. Say, 'I’m in your constituency, I want the soldiers gone.' Vote.
"I want engagement. I want them to do something realistic. I’m a soldier through and through. My opinion of this has waned from caring to disconcern. I care about the men on the left and right. That’s what really matters."
That’s a view echoed by many soldiers I meet. His personal opinions Babcock won’t share, and quite frankly they don’t matter. He’s a soldier, he carries out the orders given to him. His job is to complete his mission, and get his men home alive.
The faded yellow ribbons are nice, but constructive engagement by the citizens of the United States is what makes the men at Combat Outpost Nolen feel that people thousands of miles away haven’t forgotten them.
Editor's note: Associated Press photojournalists Evan Vucci and Rodrigo Abd are Photoblogging for msnbc.com while embedded with U.S. troops stationed at Combat Outpost Nolen, in the volatile Arghandab Valley in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Leave a Comment:
I support our troops, in many ways than just words: I wrote letters and still writing letters to the White House, both President Obama, VP Biden, former Pres. GBush and VP Cheney. I also created two websites explaining the weaknesses of our Military and Police System. I went beyond by detailing what can be done to improve all these weaknesses, save lives of our troops and money for our economy. www.amps.vpweb.com and www.profamilyads.com The real problem is no one is willing to listen. They are all busy at the White House, running around like headless chickens.
I support our troops and not just in words. I'm an active member of Soldiers' Angels and have "adopted" many of our deployed Heroes and also an entire Marine unit last year. If you too would like to support our troops and would like ideas on how to do so, please visit www.soldiersangels.org. It is an honor and a pleasure to support our Heroes. They are risking their lives for me, for our country and for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan. I will be forever in their debt.
If this is a photo blog, why is the teaser photo from the main MSNBC page missing from the actual story?
I support our troops, in many ways than just words: I wrote letters and still writing letters to the White House, both President Obama, VP Biden, former Pres. GBush and VP Cheney. I also created two websites explaining the weaknesses of our Military and Police System. I went beyond by detailing what can be done to improve all these weaknesses, save lives of our troops and money for our economy. www.amps.vpweb.com and www.profamilyads.com The real problem is no one is willing to listen. They are all busy at the White House, running around like headless chickens.
Join organizations like IAVA.org (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America) that are doing great work making sure that our military people are supported while they are fighting and when they get home
The reason nobody "Gets it" at home is because there is no sense of shared sacrifice. During the first Gulf war Bush I kept gas prices artificially low so that the American public specifically would not feel put out by the war. Then we have Bush II starting two wars while pushing through tax cuts. Tax cuts during a war! It was the first time in human history. It's not the American public's fault, it's the Republican assh*les that create these situations in the first place.
I absolutely support our troops. As the wife of a now dearly departed 3 tour Vietnam Vet Ialso understand the support of the men to the left and to the right by every soldier over there. I want them to voice theiropinions to us so we know what to trulytell our congresspersons. Do they want out? Do they want more abilities to act to protect each other. At this point it is not truly a war anymore. It is now a police action (just like Nam turned into, and we all know how that turned out), a peace mission. Only our troops still call it a war. An thats because they see everyday the results of or actions.
As previously stated I 100% support our troops!!! Now troops tellme what I can do for you to make you believe it's true
To of all our troops... my husband is retired military....I feel I am to retired.. I married knowing I would make alot of sacrafices.. my husband joined knowing this is what he wanted, to keep our freedom and to protect our country.
We dont talk about it or want credit, we just continue our lifes knowing we were part of it ..I know your probably saying what is she talking about she didn't serve... But yes I did 20 years 100 percent behind my husband... he knew he had a family and lots of love and it kept him going day by day till the final day when he got off the plane and never returned.
We are still working on all the scares and emotional baggage he returned with, you see when I said he got off the plane and never returned.. its true he left one person and came back another..
Never the less I love him and what he did for all of us and I will continue to stand behind him and all of you ...just remember what you are doing daily is appreciated and we will continue to pray for you all to come home safe.
Whatever the reasons are for the wars or all the politics behind them we must be grateful we have amazing americans willing to join and protect all of us for our freedom...
God Bless America......
everytime i read a blog such as this i just want to tear out the juggular of the DC politicians who protest the war.................but have never served in any war nor been to the front of the battle line............politicians claim that they serve to protect us....garbarge! they protect only themselves........the over 1 million women and men who given their lives so we can reside in the best country on the earth voluntarily gave their lives to protect us..............God Bless Them and God Bless the USA..
Great article and I also support the troops by wanting them brought home. I have always opposed all the wars from Vietnam to Afghanistan. Heck I never bought into the Gulf of Tonkin nor the neocons lies for Iraq and Afghanistan. I was an anti-war protester doing the 60's. When I was drafted into the Marines I thought that would give me street creds and people would listen. But they didn't. When the drums of war are beating and the flag-waving starts, no one wants to listen to people like me. After while I just got tired of talking. What really gripes me though is that those who shout the loudest for war have usually never served a day in uniform.
sigh...its the same problem we faced in 2003. we went in with no clear objectives, far under-strength troop levels, and support of a government which is not formed and was incredulous to the corruption and fear in its country.
behind seven foot blast walls they sit,
gleaming and glistening with the sting of regret,
sitting in their liars chair,
no ones left,
no one cares
Obama, the CHOICE IS YOURS, not ours. Do this right, or leave. commit the country to this war instead of hiding it behind health reform or immigration or whatever. You want to pretend the war doesnt exist. At least Bush talked about the war on a regular basis, even if he tried to cut corners and save money as well.
this is a full blown counterinsurgency. this will take nine more years and cost an additional 1500 American lives.
I'm sorry but YOU CHOSE to join the military! Nobody put a gun to your head and made you join! You knew when you joined the military you could very well be involved in a war but YOU STILL JOINED!! Afraid of roadside bombs, crazy people with bombs strapped to them or being shot at???? Well guess what??? You knew that could /would happen if you joined the military and went to war. Just like a cop who joins the police force....they know very well they could be shot, stabbed or get hurt in another way but they still CHOSE to take the job. No I don't wish anyone to get hurt I'm just telling you that YOU CHOSE to work for the United States military now do your job and shut up and quit expecting every U.S. citizen to kiss your @ss!!
shut your stinking mouth dave. he doesnt have to shut up. Soldier's posess more right to speak than any other American! Its not that we dont or didnt feel fear, its that we chose to FACE that fear while you sit and cry about your lack of resources.
All hes saying is what we always say: DO IT RIGHT, run a WAR, or GTFO, trying to just raise capital by doing more with less. this is war, people die. I wonder Dave, if youve ever pointed a gun at someone else. that was more fearful to me than getting shot at.
@ Dave-2079158
YOU are the problem.
Do you celebrate 4JUL and Memorial Day?
Do you fly the American Flag?
If you do, then you better go to a VA Hospital and thank those broken men and women who have decided to stand up for you, you hypocrite.
If you don't, then you can denounce your citizenship and move to a country with fewer freedoms.
Frankly, I think our troops deserve the money that football players & baseball players, etc. - you get the idea - but, no! Primarily, because sports players are idealized & our troops are merely admired, their wages are left up to gov't legislature, etc. Sports 'players' are JUST players - & not even good role models, any more. But, they get millions, for doing nothing admirable - without any probation time to prove they can play. Pretty self-serving, don't you think? Our troops, the police officers & firemen (&women) should be at the top of support ladder, financially - The sports world should be embarrassed, but, we know it isn't. All I can do is express my opinion & I do, every chance I get - to anyone, possible. Our TRUE heroes do NOT make enough, for what we expect of them. They are the supporters of our freedom ......... God is the source; we need them all!
I too have spent time in the military and understand about "supporting our troops." I have not read all the comments here, so if I repeat something someone said, I'm sorry. I feel that part of the support includes insuring that when you come home, you never get treated the way my generation was after Viet Nam.
sgtmaj Comparing Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan is comparing Apples to Oranges.
In Vietnam the troops were drafted, they were not volunteers, they had no choice.
In Iraq and Afghanistan the troops volunteered, they were not drafted, they had a choice.
We dont condemn those who had no choice. We do condemn those who have a choice and do the wrong thing. Support the troops does not apply to volunteers.
I support the troops, but I don't support the war.
The guy was right, but I could do without the vitriol. These guy have it so much better than the Viet Nam and Korea era veterans, many of which were draftees or like me, volunteered in lieu of conscription. These modern vets truly are supported at home, and pay and benefits are exponentially above those of the earlier vets. The Korea and Viet Nam vets were discriminated against in all kinds of ways, and everyday treatment was just downright rude. Hey Lieutenant (I was one too) - try having to cover up three years on your resume so nobody will discover you're war veteran.
2liberal, you are spot on. Not wanting to hijack this thread but I once heard a perfect description of a Vietnam Veteran. He was a man/boy who loved his country more than his country loved him. No matter how many belated "thank you's" or parades you get, you never forget what is was like to come home to a country that actually wished you hadn't. You always have that feeling of bitterness buried deep within your soul. Lieutenant Babcock, I hope you and all the other men and women in uniform get home safely and you never are treated like we were.
Lt Babcock- your right in your assessment what do people do in a normal days business to support you- most of us nothing- You guys are stuck in a unpopular war, fighting against an elusive enemy for a people who don't give a hoot if you are there or not- its unfortuante that our President cannot devlop a exit strategy instead of burying us deeper in the system- I am a Vet from the Vietnam war and I know like my fellow vets from that time how unappeciative people can be. My only advice for you and your men keep your heads down and come home safe
A frickin MEN! - From a Veteran
If you think military people mean nothing to me, consider the following: My cousin perished during the Bataan Death March and my uncle received the Purple Heart for his Navy service at Iwo Jima. Another uncle beheaded a Japanese soldier with his own sword and then, according to my mother, might have medically treated Japanese who had been burned and wounded by the atomic bomb. My own father and his two brothers received VA disabilities after their WWII military service. When I was a young child my meals were funded by a VA disability check. But because of this support my father eventually became a money making professional writer and photographer. He had been a champion boxer and licensed pilot. Despite my keen interest in becoming an astronaut I couldn't serve in our military for medical reasons.
If you think military people mean nothing to me, consider the following: My cousin perished during the Bataan Death March and my uncle received the Purple Heart for his Navy service at Iwo Jima. Another uncle beheaded a Japanese soldier with his own sword and then, according to my mother, might have medically treated Japanese who had been burned and wounded by the atomic bomb. My own father and his two brothers received VA disabilities after their WWII military service. When I was a young child my meals were funded by a VA disability check. But because of this support my father eventually became a money making professional writer and photographer. He had been a champion boxer and licensed pilot. Despite my keen interest in becoming an astronaut I couldn't serve in our military for medical reasons.
Novel concept, pull all reporters and all cameras, give our troops what they need and let them finish this and come home. Get this political rules of engagement out of the way and let the troops finish this mess. They probably could do their job in less than 90 days if they were allowed to.
Our special forces can rip into Pakistan at the same time and clean up that border mess in the same time. We have the best of the best but they are not allowed to show it. Just the knowing of what the military can achieve if allowed would be enough to make enemies think twice.
Pray for our men and women of all color and race who are, again, policing for an unknown objective, instead of finishing what they were sent to do...get politics out of the way, let them do their job and return home. Vote and let's get D.C. filled with people dedicated to caring for America, lets get our problem's fixed instead of everyone else.
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT OUR MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN UNIFORM!!!
If YOU can't stand BEHIND them, then please go stand in FRONT of them! Take what they've been taking and give them a much-needed break for a while! How long would YOU last in the 135 degree heat and the meager living conditions without your A/C and TV!?
I am a proud mom of a 21-year old daughter, serving in the United States Marine Corps.
My kid went into the service, so your kid could go to college - and party and grow up to be like Lindsey...
Lindsey who??!! (Who can believe the news coverage being given to a spoiled 20-something yr old!!)
Here are a few 20 year-olds worth knowing about:
Justin Allen 23,
Brett Linley 29,
Matthew Weikert 29,
Justus Bartett 27,
Dave Santos 21,
Chase Stanley 21,
Jesse Reed 26,
Matthew King 23,
Christopher Goeke 23,
& Sheldon Tate... 27.
These 20-somethings gave their lives for you this week!!!
"For those who fought for it, FREEDOM has a flavor the PROTECTED will NEVER know!"
"America, Home of the FREE, BECAUSE of the BRAVE"!
Shut up! Quit whining! Send a care package and support those who serve so YOU can be free - and post your flap on sites like this!
To ALL of our BRAVE men and women in uniform: be strong, be safe, YOU are our HEROES! You are America's FINEST!!! We are praying for you and we support you! Come home soon!
I cry inside for all these young men and women when I hear of them. Everytime I hear of another serviceman or woman I feel a flood of emotions. Let me tell you why. In the small rural community where I grew up there were about 30 young men who served. Now that doesn't sound like many but in our community it was most of the young men. One died when the plane he was coming back to the world on went down in the south China Sea. One was an adopted boy who couldn't wait to join the military. He was killed in combat. One came home but he told his folks to stay in Florida where they wintered. He saw his brothers and sister when he got home and on the way down to see his folks was killed in a car accident. They never got to see him. The most tragic was Buddy. He and I along with his two brothers used to goof around together. He got out of the Marines about a month before I did. Less than a months after I got out I attended his funeral as he killed himself. I never got the chance to see him. Everytime I hear of a young person losing their life, I think of Rick, John, George, and Buddy who will never get old.
Yah. *sigh* We ALL support the troops. The question is: Do you support putting our troops in harm's way for a 'war' that doesn't seem to have any condition for victory?
That's the real problem. We went there in response to 9-11 and, so far, haven't done a danm thing about it!! Osama Bin Ladin is still out there. The Taliban is still there. Al Qaida is still there...so, why are they dying? All America succeeded in doing was making war in Iraq (in response to 9-11 which it turns out they had no involvment). Which isn't hard. Half of the Iraqi troops GAVE UP!!
So, put your patriotism and nationalism away and think about it.
Sound off proud Marine Mom. My grandson is a Marine and has been home for two years. No PTSD diagnosis or treatment. Our military and the V.A. are failing our courageous warriors. God bless the families of the young women you listed. They have given all they had for their country. I hope they have now found their peace. Thank you.
Blackbelt Marine If gunny finds out about "I cry inside.." You wont make it past the five count.
Stop complaining and go fight. They signed up for it. Do your job and shut up.
Since this whole war on terror thing started we have lost more rights from our own federal government without any terrorist victory. Just look at the so called "Patriot" Act. Phone conversations are listened in on whenever they want. We now torture prisoners. This is not the America that all the WWII vets fought for.
I understand why the muslim world is pissed. We have been F'ing with them since the Cold War with seceret CIA missions that cause collateral damage and civilian deaths. Of course im going to be pissed if some foreign super power is comming into where you live for years and accidentally killing civilans for the sake of BUSINESS interests.
We are a greedy country, and have allowed all political power to be robbed of us by Lobbyist. We hide behind false patriotism.
the conundrum that the military faces is that on the one hand they want a mission they can succeed in, and on the other, they do not want to be irrelevant. yet it is obvious, or should be, that we will never defeat the islamic terrorist movement with soldiers, guns and wars. For everyone who says we must win in Afghanistan, does that mean, when Al Qaeda sets up in Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen and other failed or near failed states, we must also invade those? We are playing a game of whack a mole where the mole can simply set up in another country but we can never invade and control every country they can set up in. So the military solution won't work. Our protection lies in effective intelligence and the Rule of Law. So the military should not be sent to a war they can't win, because the war is world wide. Afghanistan is but one front, and we can't even control that without a draft. And, as other writers have observed, if there was a draft, the public would not support the war, period. It can only be fought by a small number of volunteers where we can all rationalize it along the lines of no one put a gun to their head and forced them to enlist. So it is their problem, not ours. Yet we do not have enough professional soldiers to win militarily in Afghanistan, given how we have decimated our military in a two front war. When will we acknowledge these simple truths?
Yes, I support your actions. Some of the liberals in this country forget it was the Tailban and Al Queda that brought Sept. 11, 2001 to our country. We aren't the one's cutting peoples heads off or blowing religious monuments because we think it's the right thing to do.
When I was in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, Pleiku airbase became a staging area for the invasion of Cambodia, May 1970. I met guys from both 101st Airborne and 82nd Airborne some of them didn't make it back.
Some of the people in this country just don't care, and forget them ! If they didn't support from the start they probably won't now !
Hang in there !