You know what? I am sick and tired of the smarmy "Support the Troops" glurge that litters my inbox every single day. Don’t think that because my husband is in Baghdad that I’ll think you’re some sort of super-duper-extra-crispy-with-cheese-on-top patriot when you forward this crap to me. You’re not. In fact, I think you’re a moron.
I am so tired of it that I’ve decided to fight back, and I’m taking no prisoners. This crusade is coming soon to an email account near you, so you’d better be ready. If you’re guilty of thinking that shopping at Target helps support terrorism, that wearing red on Fridays means anything to the troops, that Starbucks hates the troops because they won’t send them free coffee, or that certain restaurants refuse service to members of the military; then you need to keep reading because this little "Army Wife" diatribe is written especially for you.
First, for the love of all that is holy: Use Snopes! It’s not that hard people! Use your Google-fu skills!
Second, please separate your head from your ass long enough to realize that it may be insensitive to send "support the troops" spam to someone who is actually affiliated with the military. Lord help you if you think this comforts someone who’s lost a loved one to this horror.
I’m guessing you think that by sending this crap to us, the ones who are really sacrificing while you're out shopping, that you are proving how much of a loyal troop supporter you are. Maybe you think I don’t support the troops, or my personal troop, enough? Do I look like I need more motivation? Yes, I know I look tired. It’s probably because in the past seven months, I haven’t gotten one single night of sleep where I haven’t woken up in a cold sweat worrying about my husband. Do you not realize that I live, breathe, eat, and sleep, "support the troops" every single day of my life? I can’t run away from it, even when I want to. It is my shadow that follows me everywhere, even in the dark. Especially in the dark. What, exactly is your motivation here? Because I really want to know. W.T.F?
Here’s a tip: Actions speak louder than words. You want me to think you support the troops, then you better bring something more to the table than a red shirt on Fridays. How about you spend two hours per week volunteering at a VA hospital or a DoD medical center? How about finding a deployed unit and organizing a care package drive for them? How about volunteering with the USO? Have you made a casserole and taken it to the family of a deployed soldier? Have you asked them if they needed anything? Even if it’s just taking their car in to get an oil change, it’s appreciated. Have you offered to babysit the kids so the "left behind" spouse can have some free time? How about helping with yardwork? Have you called your elected representative and asked some tough questions? Have you done anything besides slap a cheap, yellow magnet on your car and forward me this craptastic email?
Oh, I know, sending that glurge out into the internet black hole is easier, and it shows everyone how patriotic you are. Until you send it to me. Then it comes back to you with an angry Army wife vengeance. Because unlike anyone until now, I want you to tell me how wearing a red shirt on Friday tells people who can’t even see you, that you support them. We can’t see you wearing your red crap in "support" of us. I know my husband would prefer you support him by having adequate body armor. Dammit, I want some answers from people like you.
So forwarders of "support the troops" spam beware, when you send it to me, this is what I want to know: I will ask you if you’d like an address so you can send a care package. No? Okay, how about I give your name to the USO for volunteer purposes? No again? Hmmm, how about I get you to come with me to the Family Readiness Group meeting so you can volunteer there? What’s that? You have no time to support the troops and their families? Oh, silly me, I guess that’s what the email was for. You sure showed me some "support."
And lastly I want to know---How many people do you know who have been wounded by this? How many funerals of friends have you attended? Have you held the hand of someone who has lost a loved one to this war? Have you tried to comfort a family during their grief? Have you brought or done anything for them besides an email full of empty words and no actions?
What kind of support will you show to the families of John Allen, Ed Santini, William Davis, and John Landry? Two of these men leave pregnant wives, what support will you show towards them? These men belonged to a 1st Cavalry unit that has lost 12 men in the six months they've been in theater. Will you find that unit's rear detachment and Family Readiness Group and offer up real words and acts of support? Will you volunteer?
What will you do for the families of Ryan Green and Marieo Guerrero to show you care? Where is that support you so loudly proclaim to possess?
Because, if all you can think to do to show your support of these troops, is by hitting the "Forward" button, or by sending this shit to someone who has a loved one buried at Arlington as a result of this Iraq clusterfuck: Shame On You.
All of the U.S. fatalities can be seen here or here. They all had loved ones, families and friends. The DoD news releases are here.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. This series is maintained by i dunno, with the help of Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz and myself.
Click here for the previous diary in this series or click the IGTNT tag.