Supporting Our Troops

"We support our troops. We support our troops."

That's what Oprah Winfrey opened the second portion of her show with this afternoon. It was a repeat of an earlier program, and I had seen it before, but it made an impression this afternoon. What a difference forty years makes.

When the United States sent troops to Viet Nam in the late '60's the cries were completely different. Troops leaving and returning were yelled at, had things thrown at them, and were considered war mongers. They were made to feel unwanted and uncared for by most Americans. Their families felt differently, of course, and a few of us honored their service in the interests of our freedom. But we were by far in the minority.

When 9/11 happened, here on American soil, well ... that was different. Oh, I'm not unhappy about the change and acceptance of the troops doing their jobs. Quite the opposite. I'm delighted. Our troops deserve the recognition and the cheers. But they always have. That's the point, and that's what saddens me. It's popular now; it's acceptable. But it's not always been that way.

A couple of weeks ago, I was in Wyoming on vacation. One of the first stops on our trip was in Jackson. A group of entertainers lives there and runs a summer chuckwagon dinner show - the Bar J Wranglers. Wonderful family entertainment, and the steak dinner is fantastic. Even if you don't care too much for old style western singing, the comedy threaded through the show will hold you captive.

During my most recent visit to the Bar J, the group honored some young men and women in pre-enlistment training. Some of the members of the pre-military group would be leaving within days to start their careers in the service. When introduced, the future members of our armed forces were given a spontaneous standing ovation that lasted at least two minutes. A long time, if you think about it, for people with no special status. They weren't presidents, entertainers, royalty, or anyone else with a "name".

But, they are all special. They all have status. They are just anonymous to most of us. They are leaving to put their lives on the line for me, you, and all those of us who live in this country. God willing, they will each return home after deployment alive and whole. The reality of it is some of them may not come home alive or whole. We owe our thanks and our daily prayers to people such as these - now and forever. It is their willingness, to at least put their personal lives on hold, to defend our country that gives us the liberty to speak our minds in public and not be shot down for it.

It is my prayer that the current trend of acceptance of our military forces will continue for as long as the United States of America continues to exist. May God bless each of you who have, are, or will at a time in the future be one of my defenders. I thank you for all that you give.