Love of Country

[Sweet_lil_tomboy]

Okay, here goes nothing....I have two young adults serving in the US Army. My daughter is a medical lab specialist and my son is in basic at the moment, he'll be a combat engineer when he's done with his training.
I am very proud of both of them and I support our troops in everything they do wheither or not I agree with the politics behind it.
So, the other day I'm at work and I have a hoodie on with a huge peace symbol on the back of it and a co-worker asks me; "How do you like being a hypocrat?" My response to him was this; "With both of my children serving in the military, one as MLS and one as a CE, You're damn right I'm hoping for peace!"
It's been bothering me that maybe I am a hypocrat and maybe I should look at things differently, any advise?  

[Areashine]

You are not a hypocrite. Just because your children are in the military doesn't necessarily reflect what you think or feel. It's great that you support your children and that's all that needs to be said about it. You are not your children and vice versa (though in many important ways, you are). Besides, just because your children are in the military, doesn't mean they are war mongers, they may be just as concerned about peace as you are. It sounds like your coworker is just looking for a fight in ignorance.  

[StateAlchemist Natsu]

As a mother (granted my kids are still VERY young), I understand you want of peace. As to your coworker I think they were looking for a fight but with what you said it looks like you shot it down before it began, thumbs up. As a saying my mother told me (My grandfather served in WWII) War is an inevitable thing all you can do is support the troops and hope for peace.  

[Shinigami Unity]

I would imagine as a mother with babies in the military that you would want peace more than anyone else - you have a very real stake in the matter.

A lot of people, I think, make their decisions based on a very small amount of information. The really annoying military people stand out the most - the ones that DEMAND discounts because they're in the military. But the ones that are super cool - and there are those kinds too - don't stand out as much because they're not screaming for that 10% discount. (and therefore probably get one sneaked to them biggrin )  

[Eiji]

I don't think you were being hypocritical, but from when I visited America in 2006 it was a very pro-military place, which can irk some people and could cause them to pick fights.

The problem I saw was anyone speaking out against the war was portrayed as anti-American etc.

For the record, I support our troops - I support them onto the next plane home, where they should be.  

[sunsetsmile]

Is your co-worker a football fan? There is a football saying, "The best defense is a good offence." Sounds a lot like "The best way to assure peace is to be prepared for war."

There have always been farmers and warriors, and for any society to survive, it must have both. No one wants peace more than those who fight to protect it, and to protect those that they love. I also have family members in the military, one very special one has just decided to make the military a career, and although we may be uncomfortable with this decision, we are proud .

You should be proud of your children. It takes guts to actually sign a contract to serve your country. It doesn't mean than you love war.

It is, to me, confirmation that whatever your personal feelings about war may be, there are just some things worth fighting for...whatever the cost.

Congratulations, Mom. You have taught these children they can make a difference. And in so doing, you have made a difference in more lives than you will ever know. Good job.  

[I-onishi]

I agree with everyone else , being in the miliary dosnt make you anti-peace . The only people that are anti-peace are the ones that profit from war. They are also never the people out there putting thier very lives on the line to fight it. I dont have any kids yet , but my eldest nefew is going to be deported at the end of next month. He dosnt want war , neither do I , or his mother.
Plus its never soldiers that start a war , or realy even the army , navy ect. , thay are just the one that have to fight it.  

[Sweet_lil_tomboy]

Thank you all for your kind words. You have re-enforced in me the beleif I already had. Thank you heart smile  

[Patron with a Mission]

You are hardly a hypocrite.

Wanting peace so your children can come home to you is not hypocritical. What is it with narrowminded people and assuming it's only one or the other?

Forgive me but I happen to have a lot of thoughts about that, so I will silence myself before this turns into a page rant.