Where is the patriotism that citizens of this country used to have?

2015-08-02T10:55:56-04:00

RP community what do you think of the following article? Are we not supposed to be proud of our service?

http://www.ijreview.com/2015/08/382445-read-note-left-iraq-war-vets-windshield-calling-author-pathetic/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=owned&utm_campaign=morning-newsletter

When an Iraq War Vet Got Back to His Car After Shopping, He Found a 'Cowardly' Note Waiting For...

"It takes a lot more courage to strap on an 80 pound pack and go to the Middle East and fight for your country than it does to scribble..."

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 11:06 AM

2015-08-02T11:06:51-04:00

I think back to the return of the Vietnam War veterans and the attacks by the democrats and communist leaning 60's flower children. Since they are the predominate leaders of the department of education, created by Jimmy Carter, it's their curriculum. Secondly, the hollywood crowd who is also predominately left, espouse that hatred daily in their sitcoms, movies and biopics.

Edit: John Kerry and Hanoi Jane, who are leaders in THEIR circles come to mind.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 11:08 AM

2015-08-02T11:08:31-04:00

I think it SUCKS! Not the article, the content of a cowardly note. The author had no conviction of what he was writing, otherwise, he would have stuck around to verbably deliver it. The results of a physical confrontation would have been so rewarding and news worthy. 1 for the Veteran...0 for the coward.
Sorry, CPT Private RallyPoint Member got off topic, the article really pissed me off! Patriotism isn't taught at homes anymore, except in military and veterans home's. Nor is it taught in schools, i.e., to start with, no Pledge of Allegiance.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 11:30 AM

2015-08-02T11:30:51-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Well when then president says there is no american exceptionalism and when you are told America is no good then you get this. Especially from veterans on this site. It is a real shame.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 11:57 AM

2015-08-02T11:57:45-04:00

It ebbs and flows like the tides. Personally, I think one will find this lack of patriotism far more obvious in the East Coast states and in California and Illinois which are historically liberal bastions. By and large, the vast middle of the country is where traditional "Middle America Small Town" values have remained fairly constant throughout the years. Living and traveling through these states, I can confirm a very palpable patriotism, both visible and intangible.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 2 at 2015 11:58 AM

2015-08-02T11:58:26-04:00

The only patriotism many have are the handouts the taxpayers can provide to them

Response by SPC Steven Nihipali made Aug 2 at 2015 12:57 PM

2015-08-02T12:57:05-04:00

I've seen the note left in the windshield many times before, sir. Let me elaborate on my conviction to the note left. No one, I mean no one, is that large of a coward. It's these keyboard warrior types, that love to bullshit everywhere but will never stand up and claim the note. I saw this same coward type attitude in Iraq. Sir, when talking about "patriotism", it's all in how one acts above and beyond their beliefs to towards their country. A "patriot" in our views, because of who we are, believe or not, are willing to die for that conviction. Liberals, peace love harmony, John Kerry, Hanoi Jane lovers, etc are just the mouthpiece of it all. Education, it's all on the students. Learning that their just might be a secondary thought, will never be part of the generations that followed Vietnam. We, yourself, myself and very few of the 1% who sign up to defend this country, will ever be called patriots

Response by SFC Benjamin Varlese made Aug 2 at 2015 1:08 PM

2015-08-02T13:08:40-04:00

It is a far more complex sociological answer than could honestly be posted here. I would honestly attribute the diminished sense of patriotism and appreciation for our armed services is threefold: First there is not the level of involvement encouraged in the "war effort" (i.e. buying bonds, rationing, volunteering) that was seen prior to Korea. Second, many institutions of higher learning seem to promote anti-patriotism agendas that has carried on and intensified for over fifty years; it's now unfashionable or even radical to support, defend or love the US and its military. Third, we as a society have raised a bunch of weak-willed, feeble-minded, and coddled youth unwilling to think for themselves and unable to endure hardships or even petty offenses.
We did this to ourselves and those of us who stood by and said nothing or allowed this to happen are just as complicit as those who actively participated in our country's downward spiral.

Response by Sgt Joe LaBranche made Aug 2 at 2015 1:31 PM

2015-08-02T13:31:18-04:00

This country seems to have changed for the worse. People just don't respect our military. We have a president that doesn't support or show respect for veterans, send pink slips to Officers while still in the fields of combat, continues to reduce the size of our military, releases 4 terrorist for one deserter, all creating low moral.
The media broadcast only negative stories of our military. We as veterans fail to educate the 93% of the of our population that has never served in our armed forces and no nothing about military lifestyle or culture! The general public lacks understanding!
I believe that individuals that write notes and criticize our military personnel are in the minority. However, the respect for our veterans just doesn't seem to be where it should be.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Aug 2 at 2015 1:57 PM

2015-08-02T13:57:29-04:00

Calling a warrior a coward is something that the US invented. Every attack on us is called "cowardly" even though for them it was a mighty act of war. I'm sure enemy militaries feel the same about our actions...

As to civilians doing this, nothing new under the sun, as it says in Ecclesiastes...

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Aug 2 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-08-02T14:21:13-04:00

We value "diversity" too much. We tell kids in public school that they don't have to say the pledge, half of our country isn't American, they're hyphenated Americans. Immigrants used to try to assimilate as soon as they could, not now ... their culture matters more and adds to our diversity. Americans want the play pretties they can buy more than they want to pay attention to what's going on in the country. People no longer want to serve the country, they just want the latest handout.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 2 at 2015 3:14 PM

2015-08-02T15:14:55-04:00

We need to start rounding up people that do and say these egregious things and ship them off to ISIS. See how they like that life.

As an aside: "The veteran chose not to comment publicly about the note, dismissing it as something to not be taken seriously."

Bravo Zulu, Marine.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Aug 2 at 2015 8:54 PM

2015-08-02T20:54:01-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Welcome to multi-culturalism! One person in NY does not a society make. I think that being cynical and expressing non-mainstream opinions is the new cool for America's youth. We don't SHAME these idiots in society like we used to.
Patriotism is still there, it is largely buried and drowned out by the spineless leadership of our country.
In many ways the Democratic party and President Obama set the conditions for this critic by chipping away at the uniqueness and exceptional actions of citizens, service members and volunteers. Republican's are not much better because they won't call out the disgraceful actions, this is why Trump is catching fire!
If no one is any better than anyone else, why bother to try harder or to be 'exceptional', hard work just gets you punished. This will only change when the leadership changes.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 7:24 AM

2015-08-03T07:24:12-04:00

Patriotism is alive and well in many different U.S. cities, especially where there is heavy military community, but in certain non-military heavy areas, I've found that many Americans still care about what the sons and daughters of freedom are doing for the country. Currently where I'm stationed now in southeast Michigan, I've had my hand shaked and been given more hugs and thanks than any other duty stationed that I've been at in my 17 year career. In regards to the article, I think that the person who left that note, clearly has no values or heart or sense of true purpose in life. That person is the exact opposite of the Marine that the note was intended to discourage.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 3 at 2015 9:59 AM

2015-08-03T09:59:39-04:00

If I saw someone do that to my car, I might be going to jail. Either that or the hospital.

Response by SGT William Howell made Aug 3 at 2015 10:52 AM

2015-08-03T10:52:04-04:00

I have Purple Heart Plates on my car and I get told all the time thank you for my service. It would not have bothered me to get this note on my car. I guess because I just don't care what some idiot thinks. I am proud of what I did and the people I served with. They are the only ones that matter to me as to what they think.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 1:45 PM

2015-08-03T13:45:58-04:00

Patriotism aside, the populace's opinion of service members seems to be strongly positive on the whole. When you put on the uniform you wear the preconceived notions about military service held by those around you. Sometimes that's negative, but on average most of my interactions with civilians while in uniform have been respectful and friendly. That's more than can be said by many of those who went before us.

I would take this anecdote for what it is; an isolated incident. Many more strangers have stopped and thanked me for my service than have ever slighted me.