Look at https://www.google.com/ today (11/11)
Today's NYTimes op-ed "The Vets We Reject and Ignore"
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/opinion/the-vets-we-reject-and-ignore.html?_r=0&hp=&adxnnl=1&rref=opinion&adxnnlx=1384179798-yTAlc9NSXB9ahyosZvhY/w
This article was very eye-opening. I do not know much about the military and I was unaware of the statistics surrounding dishonorable discharges and bad papers. I think that all veterans should be honored because they have the courage to do something that I could never do.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katelin. This was very surprising to see what those who have fought for our country go through. I think that also all Veteran's should be honored. They have gone out to keep us free, to help protect our country. The least we could do is honor them.
DeleteI agree with both of you every Veteran should be honored for the courage that they showed and willingness to fight for our country. My grandpa was in the navy and even though he was not in during war time, we still celebrate and take him out on veterans day because we feel like it is important to show anyone who is willing to protect our country respect and appreciation.
DeleteI agree that we should honor veterans and that it takes courage to go out and do the different things they do. That is something many of us could not handle for different reason but they do it to protect all of us. They may have done other things that were not so good but Is till feel they should be honored for their service. I don't think any of us could say that we have never messed up what human hasn't? I am not familiar with all of these reasons for dishonorable discharge but even if they did something bad they were risking their life for us so I respect that aspect.
DeleteThis article really made me aggrevated at the people who make these kinds of decisions. We have all made mistakes when it comes down to hard times. Therefore, soldiers that made bad decisions in times or war should not be looked at as bad people but rather as people who need help in a stressful and very hard time. Like Katelin said, there are people that could never be in the military. I am one of them. Therefore, I think they should be honored no matter what. They took time of your their life and made sacrafices that some don't to serve our country.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emily, I remembering listening to a story about an officer in charge of discharging soldiers who were involved in sexual affairs. He has to be relieved of his office because he was caught doing the very same thing he was hired to stop. Why do we give one people that high of authority when they could be easily swayed. It makes no since to me why people will take on a position but does not fulfill the requirements.
DeleteI agree with Emily about what she has said. But with Casey, it is sad to see a officer be relieved because of some thing that he tries to stop. I learned through this class and my history class that often times when someone comes into some kind of power, often times it can corrupt them. In this case, this power could of corrupted him or he did a good job at covering his mistakes until now.
DeleteI'm on the same page as Katelin in the sense that I don't have anyone particularly close to me in the military so a lot of those statistics about bad papers and dishonorable discharge were all new to me. I do agree that everyone who sacrificed their time and their life for our country deserves some sense of honor, but that does not mean a soldier should be exempt from having to make good choices or obeying the rules. As human beings, we are all held accountable for our actions, soldiers included.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katie, we should honor our veterans and give them the respect that they deserve, but they should still be held accountable for their actions. They are bound by the laws of the country they protect. However, we are still “Obligated” to help the soldiers that were wrongfully given a dishonorable discharge like Mr. Shepherd. Cases like his are the kind that this article is trying to raise awareness about.
DeleteI have had a number of family members serve in the military, and they never discussed the number of dishonorable discharges and bad papers. I had no idea that the number of dishonorable discharges could be so high. I believe that soldiers that put their lives on the line should be honored by our country in some way. However, I do not believe they shouldn't be held accountable for their actions that forced them to be discharged.
ReplyDeleteThis article make my stomach hurt and this is due to my extensive family background in the military. I do not believe there is a greater honor in world that serving for the military that makes everything we do possible and the fact that it is ILLEGAL for the federal government to help veterans who have been discharged with "bad paper" is just like letting a criminal out of prison with a bus pass saying hope to never see you again. Many people join the military to help find stability in their lives and when something has them removed from that situation it is against basic human dignity to just let them go out into the world by themselves with no form of governmental aid to assist them. These are our warriors and they deserve all the benefits and aid we can give to them. They made the choice to protect our nation they were not forced into it. The military sees things that most people cant even imagine and instead of offering those who struggle with these images help we leave them in the street to die.
ReplyDeletethe statistics are scary, but i knew how bad some veterans were treated. i knew this because back in Dayton i see it first hand with a lot vets living on the streets and not being able to get the medical care that they need. it is very sickening that they fought for our freedom yet the world treats them like they don't mean any thing to anyone.
ReplyDeleteConcurring with the rest of my classmates these statistics are difficult to grasp. Those that serve in the military are putting their lives on the line so we can sleep safely at night. I'm not saying that every dishonorable discharge or case of bad papers was undeserving of the consequences, but there should be some reward for standing up and having the courage to do what others won't. After all, in the heat of the moment decisions have to be made which can lead to mistakes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone in the fact that these statistics are hard to accept. Everyone in the military should be honored even if they don't make a heroic save. Every soldier is out there protecting our nation and they should all be rewarded.
ReplyDeleteI agree with tyler smith.
ReplyDeletethese soldiers are risking their lives, often seeing friends die, having to see or do things that no human should have to bear witness to.
some things that the people are discharged with is understandable, being un lawful conduct towards another person, but DRUGS?
I mean, unlawful conduct is one thing, but finding an alternative way to calm down after the horrors of war?
it seems a little horrible.
I feel soldiers should be given SOME lenience, to use marijuana, or some kind of soft core drug to calm themselves down.
we owe them at least that, after all they've been through.
I do agree with some of the comments mentioned earlier about what kind of sacrifice these soldiers give to fight this country. They deserve our respect and be honored for what they have done. But I do feel some of these discharges and statistics are disheartening to hear. I can't help to feel bad for them and wish there was some kind of better way to help those who are struggling more than others.
ReplyDeleteTransitioning from a life of war back to being a civilian is difficult enough for these people without their own superiors throwing sticks in their spokes. The wayward soldier is the one who needs the greatest attention and care. In a time where PTSD (previously referred to/ignored as: shell shock, battle fatigue, operational exhaustion, etc..) is greatly understood and treatment is available, these people deserve nothing less than best care money can buy upon their return: honorable or not.
ReplyDeleteEven if a disturbed Vet commits a crime on American Soil; if it can be proven that said soldier has suffered trauma associated with his/her service, they should absolutely be entitled to certain considerations. Separate courts, more/better treatment, etc... they knew the risks when they signed, but to simply allow them to be thrown to the wolves upon their return? it's just not right,
It's crazy to believe all of it. Every soldier is fighting for our country. Just because someone is an outstanding soldier does not mean that they should be the only ones recognized for the service that they have done for us. It's sad to see how people who have served get treated like they are trash. That right there, makes people selfish. They don't want to do the dirty work, but they will talk dirty to them. It's unbelievable.
ReplyDelete