1000 deaths is a statistic
“Support our Troops”
This message is everywhere: store windows, street signs, even bumper stickers. But have you ever stopped to contemplate its meaning? Have you ever actually thought about the AMAZING sacrifice that our soldiers—many of them not even old enough to drink—are making for you and me?
I can’t even imagine. Here I am, upset when Whole Foods is out of coconut butter or when a professor gives me a B. At the same time, our soldiers fight for my freedom amidst exploding bombs and guns, without their families by their sides, facing possible death at every turn. It really makes my complaints feel petty and selfish.
I feel like a warrior when I get back from running 10 miles for fun. At the same time, brave men and women—some of whom are my age—run for their lives, without ever receiving a post-exercise stack of pancakes or relaxing massage as a reward for their hard work. Their reward is simply the fact that they’re still alive. The amount of courage and dedication they exude is unfathomable to me, and I can never repay the debt I owe them.
For, how can one thank a strangers willing to rise every morning (assuming they were afforded the chance to sleep the night before) and put their lives on the line so that we can know freedom?
Not everyone is so lucky.
I admit, I used to take my freedom for granted. I didn’t understand the true meaning of the word until I moved to a foreign country and discovered that not everyone has the freedoms we Americans take as a given. I’m not saying our country is perfect, but we’re certainly far better off than many others. (I bet my blogger friend, who lives in a country that censors her blog posts, will agree with me!)
Please remember, today, all of the brave men and women who are willing to give up their lives—and those who have given up their lives—to protect our freedoms. And remember to support our troops, not just on Memorial Day. After all, they support us every day.
If you do nothing else today, at least take a moment to visit www.supportyourtroops.us and leave a quick message thanking our soldiers for their bravery and sacrifice.
Question of the Day:
What freedoms are you most thankful to have someone willing to protect? And: What does “support the troops” mean to you?
Honestly, I was against going to war in Iraq. But whether or not we wanted our soldiers there, the fact of the matter is that they are there, so they need our support (not just the soldiers in Iraq, but around the world).
Krystina says
You’ve inspired me to eat something patriotic today 😀 But I don’t think I have anything blue, hm…
Aimee says
What a beautiful post! You have an absolutely amazing way with words. I’m off to click that “support the troops” link and tell them how much they mean to me!
anonymous says
Ummm yeah how about support george bush when he was your president?
how can you call yourself patriotic and say your supporting the troops when you challenge your leader and his decision to send the troops to war? you liberals are all the same. ridiculous.
CCV:
Anonymous,
I believe that it is one’s patriotic DUTY to think for oneself and not blindly follow the leader. If we simply went along with everything our president might say, never questioning, America would become a dictatorship. As I wrote in my post, I very much support the lives of the men and women who have been put in the line of harm. I believe that their lives are sacred and therefore we should send them to protect our country only as a last resort.
Jennifer - jcd says
Great post. The men and women who fight for peace are brave in a sense that civilians will never understand.
The latest bumper sticker here reads “If you don’t stand behind our troops, stand in front of them.” I don’t agree with the wording, but it gets the point across.
You can write to Canadian Troops abroad here:
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Commun/message/index-eng.asp
We have our Brownies write letters every Remembrance Day, 11 November, to somewhere we know someone serving. (I live in a town where many people are members of the Canadian Foces.) We also send a large parcel full of Girl Guide cookies and other goodies once a year to the same site. It’s the least we can do.
Next year I hope to get a veteran to speak to the Brownies through the Memory Project:
http://www.thememoryproject.com/home.aspx
Rick says
thanks for the shoutout, Katie! I wasn’t kidding either….lol 🙂
I’ve given you a shoutout before in my blog as well, because we’ve made fudge babies in the past and now we can’t stop making them. Thanks for bringing such a simple, nutritious, DELICIOUS dessert to the blogosphere!
To answer today’s question, I must admit I have no plans. My uncle was just re-deployed to Iraq last week, and we had a party for him two weeks ago. Since I’m a high-raw vegan who also only drinks alcohol once every 4-5 months, I didn’t get invited to any cookouts or anything today. I think my lifestyle intimidates people…oh well, can’t wait to enjoy a day of cooking and trying to talk Sabrina into letting me douse her in chocolate! 😉
bitesandbliss says
I love this post. Every single one of my guy friends from high school has joined the military so it’s a big part of my life even though I’m not in it. We should all send care packages! CHOCOLATE ones! 😀
Ilana says
As ever Katie, lovely post.
It’s really difficult in this day and age to truly grasp the concept of national security, of needing to be protected, and we are so LUCKY that we live in a country where we don’t need to learn those concepts from a young age. I was also against the war in Iraq, but like you, I feel that just because my political ideology is opposed to the war doesn’t mean those aren’t REAL PEOPLE placing themselves in harm’s way. We have so many freedoms, we have so many advantages and abilities. We live in a country where it is possible for one person to be standing on one street corner decrying the president and his actions and across the street there is someone supporting. It’s so fantastic and amazing – the freedom to criticize, the FREEDOM to think FREELY and not worry that you might be arrested for going against the political mainstream (… I mean, this happens in some countries, not the entire world). Thanks, I definitely have some things to be thinkin’ about today.
Re: The anon commenter above, part of being patriotic in America is honoring your freedom of speech and your freedom of thought. Being patriotic does NOT mean supporting your government unconditionally. Mindless unconditional support of government acts is precisely the antithesis of American Patriotism, considering this country was built on grounds of discontent and questioning the government. Why, the writers of the Constitution even made sure we would be able to protect ourselves from the government (freedom to bear arms).
On the linep for me is probably a BBQ – gotta figure out a way to make a red white and blue vegan pasta/grain salad haha. Also, I’m filling out my application for a gun license today. I love peace and I don’t believe in guns and weapons but I have personal reasons for doing so and it feels very powerful AND American.
I love that bikini you’re wearing… I’m about to go look for my red white and blue one too!
Have a fab fab day!!
Leslie says
Thanks for a terrific, well written post. And you and your mom are so cute! 🙂
Kelsey says
most of my family has members who fought in many wars… some being quite famous. and as canadian soldiers they were alongside americans fighting for some of the same causes which is incredible and inspiring. memorial day is still important for our family altho many ppl here dont celebrate the american holiday which is sad.
btw i LOVE that bikini, patriotic and sassy <3 hehe
abby says
happy memorial day, katie! i love that bathing suit, and you look so pretty in it :). i think i’m just going to relax by the pool today :).
Inspired says
Once again, Katie, thank you for taking the time to write some truly inspirational words. I already went and left a message for our troops!
Sarah (cocoanutshakes) says
Wow, this post (and the comments) got my mind going in so many different directions..in an awesome thought provoking way. No matter what people are going to agree with it’s always nice to stir the pot a bit.
eatandrun says
Great post! I’ll take some strawberries and cream please 🙂
Mary says
Woah, boo to anonymous for suggesting that Liberals and Democrats can’t be patriots!
And kudos to you for reminding us to support our troops. You’re right; I often hear people say it, but how often do we actually DO anything for them?
Valerie says
Thank you so much for this! We usually think of our troops during the holidays, and last year for Christmas we helped make baskets to send overseas. But you’re right: they support us EVERY day, not just on holidays, so we should remember them every day too.
Love from another Liberal who has no problem questioning her government.
It’s what our founding fathers WANTED us to do!
Anonymous says
I am torn with this post. I understand what you are saying, that whether we support the war or not we should support the soldeirs who are already there. I used to think that too, but after talking to some soldeirs who are back from Baghdad and older war vets, I don’t think I agree anymore. The militarys mantra is engage and destroy. Engage meaning to locate the target under fire. There isn’t any rebuilding of nations. The iraqui people are far worse off now than they were before. Their cities are destroyed, they have almost no water, food, or medical supplies. Children commit suicide because they are so tired of living in fear. And students can’t get to school because we have torn up their infrastructure and built checkpoints that take hours to get through. Anyway, we also kill people who are innocent bystanders. There are even videos of this, like in wikileaks, which has gotten some serious press. The soldeirs are rejoicing when they “make a kill” and acting like the war is a game. It is so sickening.
I can totally understand getting sucked into the military. The young people think they are going off to do something great or they really need the money and later education that joining will give them. But on day one of training when they stick a knife and gun in their arms and teach them how to kill before anything else, that should be a sign that something is wrong.
I support the troops who resist. The men who refuse to enlist and the men who do enlist and then get out as soon as they can, because they see how terrible the military really is.
The problem though is not the men. It is the system. We have been told that going to war is right and patriotic. We have been told that the middle eastern people are a threat to America. We need to question these things and seek out the truth for ourselves.
I am so sorry if I offend anyone. I just want everyone to atleast try to get as much information as possible from asany diverse sources as possible before making up their mind on ANY issue.
Mo says
I have to agree with anonymous here (Anonymous // May 31, 2010 at 4:23 pm, to be specific)…
Also, I appreciate the irony in starting out a very well-written post about freedom with a quote first spoken by a dictator. 😉
Sarah (GF vegan) says
Great post. I find it so easy to take my freedom for granted. Have you seen the film, Hurt Locker? It’s a really good one.
It’s bank holiday monday here in the UK, woo woo! So have been eating out, baking cookies, and laughing alot with friends. Love it 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Anonymous,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a well-written response. I agree with you completely that the system is faulty, and I want to cry when I think about how many lives have been (and continue to be) lost… and for what? Saddham is gone, but he’s just one guy. Is the world really better/ have all the lives lost really been worth it? I agree with you in thinking the answer is “no.” But I still think we have to support our fellow Americans who are stationed around the world, because they are not the ones who got us into this mess.
Sarah,
I haven’t seen it yet, but I definitely plan to!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Mo,
I’m SO glad you got the irony! I assumed it would go undetected, so it’s nice that someone appreciated it :).
runnerforever says
Great post. I think so many people forget the true meaning of the holiday and just party up the 3 day weekend. BBQ with the family for me. 🙂
Lindsey says
Well, I just ate a big bowl of watermelon, and some coconut water that was in a blue box. Semi-patriotic eats?
When I was a kid, my mom made me a birthday cake that was in the likeness of the American flag. White whipped cream frosting, strawberry stripes, and blueberries where the stars are.
My birthday is July 4th, by the way.
The freedom to look and speak as I want is important to me.
I like to be individual in how I dress. And I speak up for things I feel strongly about., because I feel that it’s a moral obligation (Such as animal rights and environmental conscientiousness).
I also feel like I am a bit of an artist, just in general. My expressions are backed by passion.
I can’t imagine being cencored or punished for being who I am.
Supporting the troops, to me, means acknowledging that they are shouldering this gigantic burden so that I can be sitting here hanging out on my computer mindless and carefree.
I know soldiers that have been to Iraq and Afghanistan. Back trying to work “normal” jobs and support families. But having daily flashbacks and always just a little “off” from the emotional scars that they endure practically alone, 24/7. Young people, not much older than I, having to carry that around with them for the rest of their lives. I can’t imagine.
Jessica says
How are you so wise and well-spoken for someone so young? 😉 I have colleagues in their 60s who don’t know as much about the world! Reading your posts is always a joy.
Danielle says
I was just thinking about this the other day- beautiful post Katie!
Anne @ Food Loving Polar Bear says
As a foreigner it was very interesting to read everyones thoughts about this 🙂
Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Thank you for this!! I completely agree with you. Our troops work each and everyday for us and far too often we take it for granted. I am so thankful to them and so happy to live in a free country. We should all be very grateful and honored that we have men and women willing to give their lives for us. I am humbled.
Jenn
Pure2raw twins says
Happy Memorial Day Katie!!
Yes support the troops everywhere. I have a lot of friends in the military, stationed all over, so today is a special day to honor them!!
Gina G says
beautiful post once again Katie! im not gonna go into detail about my feelings with the war because everyone has their own opinions, but i don’t support the war either. My Dad and I have longggg discussions about what is going on in our country, pretty scary but we have to keep faith! im so thankful that i don’t have to worry about being seperated from my family (knock on wood haha), and i am thankful for our men that are there for us, but I do wish things would be better and change….
But on a happier note, i went tubing this memorial weekend with one of my good friends and her family! it was a good arm workout lol/ a blast! I hope you had a wonderful weekend as well girl! =)
Erica says
Wonderful post, Katie! I never fully appreciated all the sacrifices that our troops have to make until my younger brother joined the army and was deployed to Afganistan.
To the Anonymous commenter (May 31, 2010 at 2:11 pm): Please explain to me how not supporting former President Bush= not supporting the troops? To me, supporting the troops means valuing their lives enough not to send them off to fight and die needlessly. By starting the war in Iraq without sufficient justification, President Bush clearly showed that he had no regard whatsoever for the men and women in our military.
*Andrea* says
great post on this special day! i walked up to a memorial day parade in my town with my mommy that i used to march in when i did girl scouts hehe.
LOVE your patriotic swim suit 🙂 your mommy is so beautiful just like you!
i am most thankful for my right as a woman to VOTE and to have freedom of speech and (almost) equal rights in the workplace and education system. i too was very against iraq but i hope that with all wars, each war will be the war to end all wars! i do support the troops for their efforts and sacrifice though. i think you can 100% support the troops but not the war.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Danielle,
I got rid of the “email” option because I was annoyed that it showed up in my msn as “comment reply” instead of telling me who the sender was until I opened it. So I just have the plain, regular “appears on the site” plug-in. Wish there was a “best of both worlds” option!!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Erica,
I completely agree! We (and the people in power) need to remember that this is NOT Star Wars. The people we’re sending to war are PEOPLE with lives and feelings and loved-ones, not expendable droids.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Andrea,
You are the kindest girl ever. That is all. 🙂 🙂
Melissa says
I’m happy that I’ve got the freedom of religion (in my case, the freedom to NOT believe and have no religion at all). In many places, atheists fear for their lives if they speak of their non-belief. There have been some mis-steps here, of course, the Republicans don’t take too kindly to my ilk, but I was so pleased to have those of us without religion mentioned by Obama. At least he realizes we exist and doesn’t deem us “not citizens” like former Presidents have.
I also am really grateful for the freedom of bodily autonomy as a woman. I chose to have my tubes tied and choose not to be a mother. I realize how incredibly lucky I am to have the ability to make these decisions. Many many MANY women around the world do not have this freedom and wear out their bodies giving birth to children they do not want and/or cannot support. It is an incredibly shame and a great injustice.
spoonfulofsugarfree says
This is such a great post, Katie! You have such great insight!
I would be lying if I said that I know exactly what its like in the war because I have never been to war, or had anyone I knew go to war. My heart goes out to all the soldiers and families who are fighting for us right now! Thank you!
As for my memorial day….nothing exciting, I still have homework.
Sue says
They aren’t fighting for our “freedom”, they are fighting for oil. I understand they are risking their lives but it sure as hell isn’t for anyones freedom, it’s to keep greedy americans cars full of gas.
Danielle says
Hello again (sorry completely unrelated question)- but what plugin do you use for commenting?? I realized I want the option of it appearing on the site/emailing AND the choice to just email or reply on the site. I’m picky 😀 Thanks!
Katherine: What About Summer? says
totally something we take for granted; freedom is a huge deal
Melissa @ For the Love of Health says
Great post!
I am not American but I absolutely support the brave people from both America and Canada. I wish they make it home safely. They are selfless individuals.
Freedom is an amazing thing! 🙂
Jo says
This is a great post – I think it is important to take a moment out and remember those who risk their lives EVERYDAY to protect us, as their job – whether we necessarily agree with the reasons for which they are there. I have several friends in the armed forces who are out in Iraq and Afganistan and I often send them parcels. They tell me about it and show me photos but I cannot even begin to understand or even conceive what it must be like. A friend of mine was shot while flying a helicopter (he very luckily survived) and another friend was killed while on patrol.
Whether we agree with it or not, we should take a moment to remember those who have given or risk their lives to make ours better and safer.
Kristina @ spabettie says
thank you for this, Katie. a very emotional topic as I wish our troops could come home, yet I will not ever make assumptions as to the what and why. I have immense gratitude for all of our service men and women. I appreciate you posting this, big hugs to you. <3
Cat says
Preach it! We all need to be reminded of this more often. Thank you.