Mortai Gravesend said:
I don't see why people think soldiers deserve such special treatment. They get paid over there, they aren't saints or something. And being a WWII veteran doesn't really give him leave to break the law.
Note: I am not attacking you, just hoping to give some perspective as you don't seem to have a very decent opinion of soldiers. Correct me if I'm wrong.
I joined the Marines straight out of high school, got medically discharged, and still have contact with all of the guys still in. The military is hard. These are people that knowingly are putting their life at risk in a hostile environment. Few supporters claim they are saints, especially me, but it is a conscious decision to voluntarily risk your own life for years. I've had to listen to a pacifist in the area tell me how horrible I am. I see news reports of moronic idiots giving the military a bad name, because the damn media can never say "_______ did this" it's always "Marine (or Army, or whatever other service branch) did this" because associating it with the entire group sells better, and believe me those morons are hated by the members of the military probably more so than everyone else (same issues with police, equally infuriating). Personally I volunteered because I wanted to actually offer something to the country, and the funny thing is that's the reasoning for all the other guys in my D.E.P. (minus two, hated both and was sorely disappointed when they graduated) and a majority of ones I met while serving. A lot enjoy the idea of being the protector of your home. We're just crazy people who asked to be able to risk our life for some crap pay and decent benefits. By the way, not a whole lot of us ask to be put on a pedestal, but a lot of people see offering your life as praiseworthy and worth recognition.
P.S. Those other under appreciated jobs you mentioned, like sewer cleaners, yeah I highly appreciate them as well. I'd rather go back to Parris Island than do their jobs.
Suddenly realized I have yet to comment on the OT: Good intentions and act, though not handled the best way as this forum shows.