Before I ask this, please let me make sure I am clear on my intent. I do not wish to start a debate about the war. I simply would like to know firsthand what our troops feel about something. That's all. Please do not flame each other or myself.

Today, I saw some anti-war demonstrators. Their signs said, "Peace", "Bring our troops home", and "Let's get out of Iraq." They were quietly standing at a busy street corner, and there were about 8 of them.

For those of you who have been in service, have had family members in the service, or those who currently have family members/friends deployed:

What do our troops think of something like that?

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If you need to get in touch with me, my email is teach1107910@yahoo.com.

My brother does not have a problem with PEACEFUL protesters, he says. We ALL have a right to voice our opinion. His problem lies with those who cause more harm than good. Sadly enough, there are a lot of those, too.
The fact is, at this time, we DO have troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and several more places fighting. These are OUR TROOPS, our men and women, and whether you agree or disagree with what is going on, these are human beings...American human beings...who deserve our support. My brother is not there to kill. If he had to in order to protect his life or the life of another person, then he IS trained and would willingly do so. Would we not ALL do that? My brother is there to do his job. He is there to help the IRAQI human beings make a better life for themselves. He knew when he entered the Army that this was a possibility, and while I worry about him a lot, and while I do NOT agree with this war to the extent that it has gone, I 100% support our troops. THAT is what the soldiers are asking for.

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I just wanted to add that we recently had a soldiers funeral service held across the street from our home at an arena and there were people who felt the need to protest this. I personally didnt see the need for it. This person served in Iraq and did his duty for his country and imo these people were taking away from that. I felt aweful for this persons family to have to see signs that said there son, brother, husband, father was a terrorist(which is so not true). I stand behind and support our troops 100 percent. They are the reason that we have the freedoms that we do. I dont whole heartedly support the war but I whole heartedly support our soldiers.

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SAHM to Elias 3/00, Camdyn 7/03 and Teagan 5/08

The impression I got from these demonstrators was that they DO support the troops, just not the war. Do servicemen and women feel that is possible? Do they think it is okay to demonstrate the desire for peace and bringing the troops home - or do they see that as being against the troops?

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If you need to get in touch with me, my email is teach1107910@yahoo.com.

I think my brother is genuinely okay with protest, as long as they are PEACEFUL, and as long as people are clear on the fact that they support the troops, just not the war. Have you ever heard the saying, "Hate the sin, not the sinner"? It is the same sort of thing. They need to start carrying signs that say things like, "We love our troops, but isn't it time we end this war?"!!!

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We had the total opposite of protest in our town. A soldier from our town died and over 1500 people showed up to his funeral to support his family and the soldiers of our town. Our city also asked people to line the route to the graveyard with people, signs and flags for the family. The higher level military official who was sent to represent the military was moved to tears because he had never see a town rally so much for a soldier. We live in a lower income town/city where many of our young men and ladies join the miltary or the reserves to pay for college and support their families.

MLive.com: Everything Michigan

Jen ray:

Dh says that is why he fights over there, for peoples rights. He doesn't mind the non violent ones, it's the "hey let me be on the news", protesters. However, he fills like they are doing a good thing over there, and says it would be HORRID for them to leave now, as much as he doesn't want to go back.

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I fully believe that you can support the troops but not the war. I do!

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~Happiness is a large family~

Keep in mind that Soldiers/Airmen/Sailors/Marines take an oath to support a mission and they must separate that from their own personal views. When we went to Sean's graduation from basic training, the commander spoke and said that it is not up to them to question our reasons for being there but to do the missions given to them. We all knew that when we raised our right hands to enlist. We still have an all volunteer Army.

The rest of us can question our reasons for being there, protest peaceful and vote for politicians we believe will support our views (whatever they may be). I do believe that many lessens were learned during Vietnam that allow us to support the troops but not the war and I think, as a nation, that we do a good job at that. I was shocked by the number of strangers on the tarmac at McQuire Air Force Base when we returned home from Desert Storm and the number of yellow ribbons everywhere. The soldiers continue feel our support time and time again.

I do have to agree about those who protest at funerals of fallen troops. It is completely inappropriate to use that as a venue. That is the reason the Patriot Guard was formed. They are a group of motorcyclists whose main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission they undertake has two basic objectives.

1. Show their sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.

2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors. They accomplish this through strictly legal and non-violent means which means they basically put a line of their motorcycles, bodies and flags between the family and the protestors.

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Marcy
Proud wife of Tim, Mom to Sean (8/87), Ethan (10/98), Sam (9/02)
and angels Nathanial (8/6/97-8/8/97) and Benjamin (8/6/97-8/21/97)

Until they all come home......
Life is a Journey (follow my blog about my journey)

I can't really put it into words as to why not, but I do not like ANY kind of demonstration against the war, even if it's "pro troops". I do not know any soldiers around here, or their families that do either. I am of the oppinion that the lines are blurred---in regards to not supporting the work the troops are doing in iraq, but supporting the troops.

its a sore subject with me, I guess. But great thread, newlywed, I enjoyed reading everyone's answers

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“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”