Reply #5: Yes! Mourning their loss is NOT celebrating the policy that led to their sacrifice

[pinboy3niner]

We should have learned by now to separate the war from the warrior.

Despit the assertions of apologists for the anti-Vietnam War movement, the troops then often WERE mistreated. The leading apologist book is full of holes--especially in its assertion that peace activists couldn't have had access to military airports to accost the troops. The truth is that troops returning from the war and released from service or going home on leave went to CIVILIAN airports to go home--and some antiwar activists, in their passionate opposition to the war, blamed and accosted the troops.

Today, how can we blame these mostly-young troops? They may be young and politically unsophisticated, and believe government propaganda because they really don't know any better. They may enter service because of economic circumstance or because of idealism--they want to do the right thing. And they put their lives on the line to do it.

The "bended knees and lowered heads" that the OP article disparages are entirely appropriate. We should recognize and honor the sacrifice of these men and women who volunteer to serve, for whatever reason. If somebody wants to attack someone, that's the LAST place you want to go.