The Indifference of Good Men

[RJW]

We must all fear evil men, but the evil which we must fear the most is the indiffence of all good men.

This Veterans day, there were 8 threads about Veterans Day. In the eight threads there were 24 posts. 766 people took the time to read the posts.

The Hide has 76000 members.

1% took the time to pay their respect to Veterans and my bet is that this number is a lot lower as many people looked at all the threads.

Very sad state of affairs.

the evil we must fear the most is the indifference of all good men.

TOP out.

 

[EventHorizon]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

I understand your point but it's misplaced as you assume that Hide is the only place and means to show appreciation for vets. Not so.

 

[jcfd2201]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

While I didn't even read but a few of the posts I did pay respect to our Veterans. My United States Flag flew proudly and as a department we placed flags on the graves of those Veterans whom are now resting in our local cemetary. I thanked every Veteran I ran into that day and typically do anytime the opportunity presents itself, today included.

That being said, I have to agree with EventHorizon. I see posts quite often on the Hide where members are thanked for their service and sacrifice throughout the year.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

RJW, and all who have served,

I hear you, believe me I do. And I don't know how the laws are down there, but up here (years ago) the law was put on the books where the only things purchasable on 11/11 were Bread, Milk, and Eggs.

Nowadays, there's pretty much ever store open, selling pretty much everything. And it is a Nationwide Statutory Holiday, no less. Amendments are made for the almighty buck. There is no decency anymore, or respect.

I'm speaking of society as a whole. I think the view is deplorable. 2 of my 3 grandfathers served and fought. Respecting and Remembering (tagline) is just something I was brought up with, from the start.

What are 'people' being brought up with, nowadays?

 

[Maggot]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

Not all of us forgot. I wa in the grocery store and a guy went by on two prosthetic legs. I didnt say anything cause Im sure he doesnt like being singled out, but as I left the store I had to walk right past him on the way out, so I stopped ans asked "Iraq or Afghanistan?" He replied "both". I just said "Welcome home, Brother.", our eyes met, he said "Thanks", I shook his hand and moved on.

I dont necessarily go out of my way, as most of the guys I know DONT want a lot of hoopla, but I dont forget. I think a simple, "Thanks" goes a long way.

 

[NorthernBorn]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EventHorizon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I understand your point but it's misplaced as you assume that Hide is the only place and means to show appreciation for vets. Not so.

</div></div>

Exactly... There are much better ways to thank our brothers that don't involve sitting in a computer chair and replying to a thread on a website.

 

[RJW]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

I read your petition about Wounded Warrior. Someone had an axe to grind. Most recent accounting shows 82.8 percent of funds raised goes to the Vet Programs. I hope your posting of tbe petition is not your support of Vets.

When it comes to Vets and taking care of them, I get real pissy.

 

[RJW]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

And what in the hell did you do, because you could sit at your computer and blow crap at me.

 

[NorthernBorn]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And what in the hell did you do, because you could sit at your computer and blow crap at me. </div></div>

Actually one of my fellow soldiers and I went into work and spent half the day scrubbing the marble memorials for our fallen outside of our Battalion's headquarters that haven't been touched in years. We also replaced all of the CIBs, CABs and CMBs that were stolen/lost over the years that used to be resting under each name on our OIF 06-08 slab.

No one asked us to. No one joined us either.

Blow it out your disgruntled ass.

 

[RJW]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

Thank you for what you did.

Looks like you experienced the indifference. Sorry.

Not disgruntled, just disappointed.

 

[NorthernBorn]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thank you for what you did.

Looks like you experienced the indifference. Sorry.

Not disgruntled, just disappointed.
</div></div>

I experience it everyday in our own ranks. The second the guys that served with the fallen move on and away from the unit the ones lost are quickly forgotten.

While the indifference is troubling we all know we didn't do it for the gratitude of those who chose not to. I will live my life knowing that I went to war for my country voluntarily and will always be grateful to the brothers that made sure I made it home again.

That's also why we, fellow veterans, must make sure that we do what we can to honor the ones that weren't able to come home. That's the most important part of all.

 

[EventHorizon]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

Dude, you don't like my petition - fine, don't sign it. But do something other than keep tabs on a forum and tut tut at people. Organize people to help vets who need things done around the house but can't, go shopping for them if they're not mobile, offer car-pooling services for their families to visit them in hospital if they're a long distance away.

What I learned this past election is bitching on the web or to other like minded people will NOT achieve anything. We need to be as active, as loud, as organized and energized to keep our rights as the assholes who want to take them away.

And get out there and do something...

 

[Cmonroe]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

Well, I can say that every year there seems to be less and less acknowledgement and thanks said to our vets. I make it a point to call the disabled vets that I know and served with. I don't tend to praise in public and maybe I should do so more often to create an example.

For all of my brothers here that have served and who have lost I thank you for your service. To the families who have lost I thank them for their sacrifices as well, may their sacrifice never be forgotten.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EventHorizon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dude, you don't like my petition - fine, don't sign it. But do something other than keep tabs on a forum and tut tut at people.

And get out there and do something... </div></div>

You haven't the foggiest fucking clue who you are talking to or what he has done for those who have served. After serving a good portion of his life himself he has dedicated more of his personal time and efforts to caring for veterans than many thousands, tens of thousands and most likely hundreds of thousands of other Americans.

Those who have done little or nothing may not have the right to say anything, this man has earned the right to speak volumes on the topic.

 

[RJW]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

You brought it up.

I spend 2 days a week as a volunteer PTSD counselor at a Vet center. Just finished help building a house for a disabled vet throuh Habitat for Humanity and Wounded Warrior. We are starting 2 more houses. I take wounded vets hunting on my farm....I think you get what I do.

Thanks Phylo...getting pissed.

 

[EventHorizon]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Phylodog</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EventHorizon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dude, you don't like my petition - fine, don't sign it. But do something other than keep tabs on a forum and tut tut at people.

And get out there and do something... </div></div>

You haven't the foggiest fucking clue who you are talking to or what he has done for those who have served. After serving a good portion of his life himself he has dedicated more of his personal time and efforts to caring for veterans than many thousands, tens of thousands and most likely hundreds of thousands of other Americans.

Those who have done little or nothing may not have the right to say anything, this man has earned the right to speak volumes on the topic. </div></div>

Of course I don't know, all I know is what's written in the thread... clairvoyance isn't one of my skills, is it yours?

 

[BALLISTIC]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NorthernBorn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are much better ways to thank our brothers that don't involve sitting in a computer chair and replying to a thread on a website. </div></div>

I thought this would be obvious...but I suppose not.

 

[Switchblade]

Re: The Indifference of Good Men

No one knows the grey man who sent 1100 boxes over the last ten years(well the day the GWOT started in A-Stan/Iraq). The grey man started sending out boxes to so many men and women who served in the sand, same as he did. His sweat and blood were in the sand, the jungles, and so many places where he went. He came home, then went away again and again.
When the grey man saw that he was finally done, he went home and did not sit, but went out to find his own way to find his fortune. His fortune was nothing more than seeing a smile from a Soldier who came back. That Soldier stood at his door with a smile and the smile was returned and the grey man will never know how much his weight is worth to all those humble men and women who received his boxes.
The grey man is a veteran and we veterans know we share the things we love. The grey man? He does so much more than many who stand side by side for 20 yards. His work will never be done for his fortune is to lend a hand, to assist those in need, and to do it so well he will never be forgotten. None here will ever know the grey man's ways until they sit across a table and see his smile.
For that grey man, I offer my most humble thanks, for he gave me so much to be thankful for while it was my turn in the sand. The greatest smile though, was to see what hi support did to my Soldiers days. A simple talk to my Soldiers explaining that the grey man only needs to know you all smiled and said Thank you grey man, for it is we few who know what you do, and the lengths you go to to insure we know there is someone out there looking out for us