America's upper classes have gone AWOL

usna09mom
Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:32:08 +0000

Members of Navy’s Southern California parents’ club buy used clothing and furniture at garage sales in Orange County and donate these items to enlisted marine families at Camp Pendleton. That just about says it all. These people are willing to sacrifice life and limb, not to mention their mental health, and they’re practically living in poverty! I think it’s a disgrace that American servicemen and women are so underpaid that they have to rely on charity just to get by. The really dirty little secret is the increase in the combat death benefit. Some just consider that ‘hush money.’

“I don’t believe in a draft. My DH flies, if the jet goes down or there is a SAM on their A**, as a spouse I want to make sure they give a crap, and are not in the service b/c they had to! I want the crew to be there b/c they have this unspoken support…“I will die before I leave you” I want their adrenaline pumping, I want them to want to be there. I don’t want someone who says you made me and “I need to get myself out of here”… which one do you want? The one who wants to be there or the one forced?” bulletandpima

Are you suggesting that aircraft mechanics who may have been drafted into service during WWII, Korea, or Vietnam were less than loyal to the flight crews of the aircraft they serviced? I guess my Air Force pilot father who flew over 50 combat missions in WWII just lucked out because his crew, whose loyalty you question, denied him a Purple Heart. You also single-handedly diminished the service and sacrifice of tens of thousands of drafted American soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who gave their lives in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Many were drafted, died in service to their country, and you’re questioning their motivation and support?

rjrzoom, again thank you for addressing salient issues.