A Meangful Dump

I spent Valentine's Day at the mall ... trying to encourage people, who really believe they are above anything to do with the war, to donate for care packages for our troops. I made the mistake of setting up in the most extravagant mall in Houston ... the Galleria.

The toughest part of the whole thing was the 2 soldiers who came to the mall to keep me company. I have learned so much from these two young men. A man walked up to one of the soldiers and shook his hand and said "Thank you" and then went on to do his shopping.

I thought the soldier would appreciate the guesture... but, he was angry. his words: (excuse the language ... but I did not want to change a word)

"Fuck these people. Do they think shaking my hand means shit? They don't care about any of us. They are just trying to clear their conscience."

He has only been home 2 weeks and said he would much rather be back in Iraq ... where people appreciate everything they are doing, than here where people don't give a damn about anything but money.

I took pictures of another young man who is shipping out in a month ... so young, so innocent... I wanted to freeze that moment ... to keep him young and un-embittered forever...

It was a glimpse of the before and after that I feel I will experience with David when he returns from Iraq.

It was not all a bad day... I had people who walked up ... did not ask a question and started writing checks ... most people who stopped were very generous ... some wanted to know what they could have for free... (good grief ... they were wearing Prada ... and wanted a handout from me!)

It took me a few days to sit back and absorb it all... but a Vietnam vet helped me put things in better perpective...
Words from a Vietnam Vet

Quote:

I would like to have a word with that soldier and explain what my reception was when I arrived home.

Like people spitting in my face and calling me a baby killer or starting a fight with me as soon as they saw my uniform.

No fan fare or people clapping for us when we were seen in a airport. No one waiting for us when we arrived home.

You went to your base, received your discharge papers, put on your civilian clothes and lied to people when asked where you have been, just so you wouldn't have to put up with the grief people gave you for doing what you were ordered to do.

He needs to let one of the older vets make him realize how good he really has it. People do care now, unlike in the 60's and 70's.

We weren't even allowed to join VFW halls because it was called a police action and not a war. One of the older Vets called me a police pussy and I was told to get out of the hall and not to return.

I bet he would have a different attitude if he had to walk in these shoes for half a day.


We need to thank all of our memebers of the military past and present... ANYTIME ANYONE puts on a uniform ... and has to spend time trying to stay alive... It is an act of extreme bravery... War may get bad press, but it does not lessen the fact that these people are risking their Asses for us and should ALL be treated like the heroes they are. Can you tell this is a sore subject for me??? Big hugs... I will move on... step off my soap box for a moment... and go find a vet to hug! Today I would like to FLUSH Hatred... but I am sure it would clog the toilet.