Proud to Be An American

“Lest you people always think I am jaded and unpatriotic, let me say whenever I hear the words and music to Lee Greenwood's "Proud to Be An American," I get all choked up and get chills. I think that song says it all...

They're playing it right now on the radio, part of a salute to the local Army Reserves Engineering Unit, parading through town as I write. They're heading off to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.”

“we're all very fortunate to live here, we should be more appreciative and thankful.”

“I'm proud to be an American. I'm ashamed of my government's actions recently.”

“That's a great song. I am proud to be an American.”

“Its too bad this government had to push it this far.

I certainly hope it goes as well as possible.

Bring 'em home alive!”

“I like The Tubes version, from 1976. Doesn't give me goosebumps for some reason. :�

I'm proud
to be an American
I'm proud
of the groovy things we've done
There's television, free religion, Rock 'n' roll, Standard Oil,
Times Square, Jimmy Darren, Corey Wells, and Smokey Bear,
price reduction, reconstruction, Peace Corps, and lots more
Culture that we got to lend

I'm proud
to be an American
And I'm proud
Had a great time bein' one
There's your school and my school and both of us in high school,
surfboards, cigarettes, homework, Southern Comfort
Boy's dean was real mean,
Made us keep our locker's clean
Failed nearly every class
Ditchin' was a gas

I'm proud
to be a young American
I'm proud, just think about it
All the far out things that we've begun
There's revolution, constitution, land, sea, and air pollution,
cold wars, hot wars, gas wars, and confrontutions,
constipation, consternation, open hearted palpitations
Muscular Dystrophy

I'm proud to be an American
Because we got department stores
full of cheap guitars
But when Sputnik plays 'em, you just go go go go

I'm proud to be an American--we got two chickens in every garage
And I wish every other kid could be one--in my country, the medium is the massage
'Cause it's impossible to give
Equality and justice to inferior foreigners
too jealous to trust us

Gimme your weak and your homeless
How 'bout checkin' the oil, uh, fella?

I'm proud to be an American”

“Pride is a foolish self indulgence.”

“Hmmm... Reason is mental masturbation, and life is meaningless.

Mutt, you have some pretty severe opinions.”

“life is meaningless? Did I say that?”

“LOL!”

“My high school classroom has no flag.....hasn't had one all year.
Today I brought in an old one from my parents old house. It's from 1964....says on the box that it's the NEW 50 star flag. I've been meaning to bring it in all year and today seemed appropriate. It's big and really bothers some of my students. It made some really squirm.

I teach bio/environmental sci at a public arts magnet school. I always promote robust discussion of all issues and boy do they provide it. Some of the kids are so jaded and selfish (beyond normal teenage stuff) and the flag was my way of saying 'bite me a$$holes'.”

“JO,
What? No flag in your room?
I have one in my office, one staffed upon the shop chalkboard, and a big one high upon the shop wall.

Also, the hallway leading through the Vocational dept. has some 15 hanging from the ceiling - compliments of teachers other than myself.



Lee Greenwood -
Many years ago, I attended the laser show at Stone Mountain Park, GA. "I'm Proud to be an American" is the final song of the show. It ALWAYS get a standing ovation. Always.

On the occasion in the early 90's, the song began as usual. But to everyone's surprise, a person at the bottom of the mountain was illuminated ny spotlight.

It was Lee Greenwood. He sang the song live. It was a great and wonderful moment...”

“John Phillips Sousa always ended his concerts with "Stars and Stripes Forever" with the same effect on people.”

“I am proud to be an American. I fully support our president and our troups fighting in Iraq for our freedom and for the rights of others. I may not agree with all of our forign policies - but I still support our country - we are lucky to live in such a great nation.
dawn”

“This school is an arts magnet school. It's a very different school. There is art work hanging and sitting in every hallway. Nudes, semi-nudes, even a painting of a baby hanging from a noose. I don't understand it all, but I respect their right to express themselves. They have no dress code as other county schools do. I have boobs and bellies in my face all day, they wear provocative (slogan) clothes,
they wear hats, sunglasses, you name it.

Yesterday when the principal told them they couldn't walkout and join a protest, many went beserk, claiming that he was censoring them. Huh? Some moron spray -painted his name on a wall last night. "NO WAR JONES".

I took great pleasure in hanging my flag and making those few squirm. It represents ( to me ) those other young people who are serving these truly fortunate kids.”

“Awwww, JO teaches future Rainbow People. How warm and fuzzy!”

“"Pride is a foolish self indulgence." sez Mutt - wisely and austerely noting the fact of his superiority to the selfish fools who barely sniff at the wisdom he offers - as swine might contemplate pearls.”

“gojo

You got that right dude! Every day is Halloween here. We have everything from carpentry students to dancers and everything in between. Quite a wild mix.”

“One of our scouts goes to an arts magnet school. He's the only one who plays hocket or acts "male," and he's getting hit on by gay boys all the time.”

“LOL! Pedxing, That truly cracked me up. I'm pleased you do recognize it as wisdom. You're smarter than the average swine!”

“I received this in an e-mail message and thought I would pass it on. I am sure it will happen, but I hope people do not piss all over this. I would have made this flame on, however I wanted to recycle an old thread.


Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.

Heading out I asked?
No. I'm escorting a soldier home.

Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
signed: Stuart Margel -- Washington, D.C.

Also, here are two very touching photos honored at this years International Picture of the Year.



”

“Yep....it is pretty cool how the majority of Americans still respect the military.”

“whether or not you agree with how the military is used by the various politicians, you have to respect the young men and women who sacrifice and put so much on the line for their country”

“Boy that second photo sends a loud message. Disturbing and intriguing at the same time.”

“Crash...you cannot logically "support the military" and yet oppose their mission. That is just contradictory.”

“you didnt understand what i was saying, xl”

“Nice post, Bloody Knee. Thanks.”

“Nice to see some other folks, feel that way about our folks serving in the military! As you stated, dislike the policy but not the military person, there just doing their job! :) GOD bless em, they are unbeleiveable, on how they can get a mission accomplished, with some of the total boneheads in the Senate/Congress, etc. To those that serve, Our Sincere Thanks to those that have given the greatest sacrifice, "You will not be forgotten"!


B.J. Ondo
Patriot Guard Riders, Member
Cold War Veterans Association, Member.
last edited: 10/11/06 3:10:32 PM”

“I was on a plane this spring, and aboard there were at least 20 soldiers, heading back to Ft. Lewis from Iraq. The stewardess made an announcement about welcoming them home, and everybody spontaneously started clapping and cheering....several of them were obviously moved by that. It was pretty cool.”

““Crash...you cannot logically "support the military" and yet oppose their mission. That is just contradictory.”
XL400236
1:03:42 PM
10/11/06

No it isn't.”

“The group that greats the soldiers as they land in Maine is just phenominal. I can't recall the name of the group, but it's vets that always have a greeting party for all soldiers coming home.”

“A lot of feelings swept over and through me as I read that post. Thanks for contributing it. I do agree with Crash. During my tours in Vietnam I was quite aware that much of the public didn't support the war. I had no quarrel with them. If I believe in what I do why should it be necessary that others support me? There is, of course, also the thought of serving to protect others right to dissent. In the end I changed my view of our presence in Vietnam and it may have been because of the views often eloquently expressed by those who dissented. We healed from that (haven't we?) and we will heal from this. I only hope that this time we learn from the experience.”

“For the sake of the thread I will keep this civil and try to be brief.

YOu are wrong with this statement.

Crash...you cannot logically "support the military" and yet oppose their mission. That is just contradictory.”
XL400236
3:03:42 PM


Let me explain.

The Military

The military is a politically neutral body. It was created to protect and defend our country and to defeat our enemies.
The military is defined by its members. The men and women who serve. Our fathers, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands and childhood friends.

I just spent last weekend back in my hometown celebrating the safe return of my longest friend (since age 7)just did a tour that took him to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.


I support the military.



The mission.

The Mission (any mission) is a political entity. It is a thing given life by the civilian, political leaders of this country.

Any military mission is the product of orders given, ultimately, by the commander in chief of this country. Our politically elected president.


It is simply false to assume that you cannot divorce the men and women and military in which they serve from the political mission in which they may be engaged.


It is a republican neo-con arguement which is patently false, absurd arrogant, and dumb.

It allows stupider republicans to attempt to call democrats or others who may not support "the mission" unpatriotic.

Try telling that to McCain, or to Murtha.


Even Bush, in a purely political speech the other day said something to the affect that it is NOT that democrats who don't support the war are unpatriotic, its that they see things differently than he does.


So yes XL . . .it is easy and appropriate to separate the Military and the folks who serve in it,, from the mission. Be it the taking of Iwo Jima, storming Omaha Beach, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama or Iraq I or Iraq II.

Those "missions" are political in their birth and are given the green light by our elected representative.


Perhaps you've forgotten what a democracy (little "d") is? Perhaps you've forgotten what the meaning of freedom that my friend, and your old comrades in uniform are defending.

Have you really gone that far. . .lost sight so much?



God Bless the United State Military.


I hope Bush gets hung for treason.”

“Crash...you cannot logically "support the military" and yet oppose their mission. That is just contradictory.

so i cant oppose the war and also arrange a care package drive for soldiers? or a fundraising effort to help military families back home?

will the universe collapse in on itself if that happens?

will the idea of logic suddenly implode?


tell me more about this "logic" and how it fails to account for distinctions between "soldiers as people" and "soldiers as tools to carry out orders".

really, its fascinating.
last edited: 10/11/06 3:30:00 PM”

“Can we just bite our lips (fingers) for just this once and not let this thread go fuego?

Thank you for the post Wounded Knee, a big thank you to the men and women that are serving or formally served to help protect this country and the freedoms it represents.”

“LOL@mask....good liberal logic (or lack thereof).

You um do remember that Iraq was approved by Congress...right...if you need the resolution number I can get it for you.
Since treason takes two witnesses and is defined in the Constitution your entire statement is typical liberal feel good pap.

I think it is hilarious when some little emotional liberal snit walks up to a soldier and does the " I support the military but not the War."

That is so incredibly EMOTIONAL that it boggles the imagination. The Military exists to carry out the mission. See they are not the "social test center" they were in the 1990s, they are designed for one purpose...TO WIN...you win by a. Killing people and b. BREAKING things.

if you kill more of their people and break more of their things YOU WIN!

Now since I have a number of classmates from the military academy where I obtained my bachelor's degree who are over there, heading back or never coming home (technically) I appreciate your blithering it is humorous, it is designed so that you can get that Jane Fondaish "I am a kind nice sweet person" but can still not be seen as a traitor (re Hanoi Jane) and dissed in the view of most of us in Flyover land.”

“The cowardly nasty trolls are swarming out like flies.

I'm with lumber.”

“HEAR HEAR!!! Zac.
I don't read Fuego so I can still like all you people. Take it somewhere else.”

“Well said lumber”

“If you don't support the war in Iraq you must, therefore, spit on soldiers.

Makes perfect sense.”

“wk, thanks for posting the email and pics. Some very power images.

well said lumberzac!”

“let's keep this to honoring the troops, shall we? they are heroic people and for once let's not mar their memory”

“back about 12 years or so ago, i was a college dropout (but i finally graduated) working a dead-end job. i tried to join the army (how many of y'all are surprised at that?) but didnt pass the physical (bad eczema on my feet caused me to scratch them raw)

i think what i respect the most is the utmost discipline they have, which is so strong it carries into their civilian life for the rest of their lives, the strong sense of confidence that doesnt cross the line to cockiness, the humility and the stoicness. military men are real men.”

“(nevermind phuckers)

Anyhow, thanks for posting that.
last edited: 10/11/06 7:07:57 PM”

“I thought maybe I would chime in here. I am a viet nam era war protester and frankly rather ashamed of some of what went on. But I remain essentially a pacificist and struggled deeply as I watch young men in the churches I served go off to the military. My own struggle is based in my faith, and you are perfectly free to agree or disagree with any part of that.
But then my son decided to join the Air Force. I find the irony of the situation amusing. A pacifist father with a son in the military. I can and I do have deep objections to some of the foreign policy desicions made by administrations of both parties. I do not consider it contradictory to support my son following what he believes is the right thing for him to do.
We had many discussions surrounding that decision. I am deeply proud of my son and those who serve with him and around him. Yet I remain distressed at the way in which people are placed in harms way by decisions I do not support. If that is truely contradictory then I am willing to live in that contradiction.
I recognize the harm that some of us did to the lives of the Vietnam vets by not honoring the integrity of their decision to serve under draft, or conviction.
My son has caused me to come to grips with a lot of stuff. For that I will be ever thankful.”

“In a way your son is a lot like yourself but in a secular way. He has chosen to become a part of something bigger than himself and to serve others. Many times even though we are inundated with video and pictures of the war we need to view these brave men and women as not so much the killers of bad guys but the protectors of good people.”

“Ramblin, my problem is that I really am not at all happy with the way this Administration has micromanaged the war...kinda like a certain Pro Football Owner screws with the team (not saying anything about Jerry Jones). I wish politicians would back out and let the military make the decisions.”