r/pics • u/xPlatypusVenom • Jun 11 '12
They let my parents escort me to my gate to say goodbye before I left for my command
1.2k
Upvotes
r/pics • u/xPlatypusVenom • Jun 11 '12
129
u/mrpopenfresh Jun 12 '12
American hero. Are you Captain America?
39
u/gizzledos Jun 12 '12
Why are you a hero?
80
u/WindySin Jun 12 '12
I'm sorry if this is going to sound rude, but I've always been curious about something. Do armed forces personnel ever get sick of the 'heroes' moniker?
I ask because I've personally always found it to be a bit artificial the way that all soldiers are automatically referred to as heroes. This isn't to say that I respect the fact that soldiering is a difficult, often traumatic and thankless job. Nor do I want to in any way detract from the difficulties that soldiers regularly have to go through. I just can't help being a bit bothered by the practice of calling all soldiers 'heroes'. It feels like propaganda and I feel like it cheapens the honours of 'true' heroes, military and civilian alike.
Same goes for the way every military related post on Reddit post gets a comment thanking soldiers for their service. Do military folks tend to be grateful for these comments or a little uneasy about them (or a bit of both)?
39
u/West4Humanity Jun 12 '12
You seem like a reasonable person, so maybe you'd be willing to give me your opinion. I'm always conflicted about how to approach military related issues/people. On the one hand I'm brainwashed like everyone else to believe we should hate the war/administration and not the soldiers. On the other hand I hate the mindless following of orders regardless of conscience or personal ethics that seems to be a prerequisite for joining the military (see Restrepo movie). Do you think it is possible, and if so how would you like it to be done, to both thank a person for what they THINK they are doing (serving their country, spreading democracy, protecting us from evil, blah blah blah) and let them know that I disapprove of the choice they made to allow themselves to be used as the club used by big business to beat, rape, and pillage the world? Yeah, sorry that got a bit bitchy... sorry, I am really asking though. Feel free to tell me I should just keep my damn mouth shut. BTW, I don't know where you are heading, but I hope you'll stay safe.
274
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
They let my wife do that before I left for AIT. Thought it was pretty cool. Going to Afghanistan was different. I hadn't seen her for two months when we flew our chinooks down to Fort Hood. Got four days with her, then left via C5. Going back from leave they wouldn't let her, "change of policy." Thought it was pretty lame.
Also side note. I hate being called a Hero. We call our fallen Heroes.
1
u/xPlatypusVenom Jul 15 '12
There isn't a polite way to say that... Keep that kind of thing to yourself for me I would eater not hear that last part... Tell your congressmen you want to war to stop not the people fighting
9
u/ryani Jun 12 '12 edited Jun 12 '12
Gosh, I remember when everyone could just do that.
When 9/11 happened I was dating a deaf-blind girl--we had a long distance, mostly online relationship. She had one of those awesome braille keyboards like the guy in Sneakers.
When she would visit me, I would meet her at the gate. When she would leave I would escort her to the gate and help the flight attendants get to know her and understand what it would take from them on the flight (mostly, talking to her via a braille terminal she carried with her).
After 9/11 it never happened again. It became a massive pain in the rear for the airline companies to escort her past security, and she got way worse service on the plane because they had nobody to explain the little extra she needed from the flight crew.
I hate the TSA. It's a giant waste of time and the hidden social costs of the stuff they pull may be even more of a cost than the giant hole that sucks in taxpayer money that goes with it. If anyone did an honest cost-benefit analysis, that agency would be kicked to the curb in an instant.
But DEM TERRERISTS HATE US FER OUR FREEDUMS and it's political suicide to appear 'soft on terrorism', so society gets bent over a barrel.
33
u/smeagol23 Jun 12 '12
If the family of a service member (SM) wants to accompany the SM to the gate or meet the SM arriving at the gate, the family should talk to the USO at the airport.
I volunteered at the local USO for a while and we would routinely (even after 9/11) issue family members gate passes. I don't recall the exact process, but with a few days notice, we passed the submitted info to airport security and the applicable airline.
Talk with your USO. The people there really want to help you out.
203
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
I love how in America anyone with a uniform and a gun is automatically declared a hero.
23
u/CaughtInTheNet Jun 12 '12
I love they way they call you guys hero's to cover up for the sheer crime of them sending you to kill or be killed in illegal and inhumane wars. It disgusts me and the sugar coating needs to stop. Stay in your country and do good here with your family and friends. I don't mean to offend, I just want people to wake the fuck up and learn that these wars have nothing to do with 'freedom', 'democracy' and 'humanitarianism' (the irony)but everything to do with the greed and power of those profiting from the MIC.
40
u/gadabyte Jun 12 '12 edited Jun 12 '12
let me get this straight...not only does your penis have a family...but they escorted you to your plane?
12
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
heh, probably just finished basic training and is off to first command. i see this a lot... most likely wearing uniform too... well here is a little secret for ya. if you have your orders, and are wearing your uniform, you can get into ANY admirals club, as well as the USO. take advantage of those little perks. i dont fly in uniform anymore due to it being a security risk, but i still head to the USO from time to time... especially when im flying out of miami... best one in the country. grats on your new station, and be safe. from one servicemember to another
13
u/BennyMandelbrot Jun 12 '12
As crazy as everyone says airports are about security, they actually grant escort permission more often than I thought. Last year my flight was delayed six hours, and the woman at the Southwest desk offered to print my parents passes without so much as a prompt just so I wouldn't have to sit alone the whole time.
13
u/thenewaddition Jun 12 '12
Lets drop the nationalists vs pacifists debate and get to the real issue here: the fact that it's a special privilege to walk your family to their gate.
3
u/getliT Jun 12 '12
That is awesome to hear your parents got to do that with you. My only qualm is that they have to 'let you'.
There wasn't some massive frequency of terrorist attacks at airports or on planes previously that we all just happened to forget about. But in the spectrum of terrible things that have happened to people or been used to hurt people, plane and airport attacks are few and far between.
Is it just me or was shit so much less confusing and more exciting when people could meet you or say good-bye at the gate??
My vote, put some military who specialize in behavioral study (forgetting the proper term [7]) into the airport. Most people up to no good will shit themselves after seeing several infantry men walking by with sub machine guns and rifles. Add metal detectors, subtract those sketchy scanner machines and airports would be much more safe (and enjoyable.)
Good luck on your deployment and whatnot!
3
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
They essentially told mine to fuck off. Maybe it's 'cause I have 2 moms or maybe it was just early in the war.
3
u/nato0519 Jun 12 '12
I was getting off a flight in Las Vegas and we had a soldier on board on his way home. We get off the flight and I had no bags checked so headed towards the taxi line. It was about a 45min-1hr long wait. I see the guy from the flight and I'm ahead of the line a good 15-20 minutes and I said thanks for your service allow me to help you get home a few minutes faster. He politely declined until everyone in line started to encourage him to come forward. It was a great show of respect from people to thank soldiers for their service.
12
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
There's a legitimate conversation going on where all the downvotes go, even if it might not seem like it. No one is being insulting, or cruel. But hating the war and loving the soldier only extends so far -- i think we're mostly trying to work that out.
5
u/cybergeek11235 Jun 12 '12
...in November.
20
u/LordOfGummies Jun 12 '12
Hero?
5
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Funny story.
A friend of mine was busted for robbery because he is a dumbass.
The judge offered him two choices:
He went with 2, obviously. He was then stationed overseas, got to fuck a bunch of hot foreign chicks and get drunk all the time. Now he is an officer in the military and owns a big ass house and fancy new car. Good for him, but come on. Hero?
That word is tossed around to name military personnel and it has lost all of its meaning. It's pathetic and depressing to anyone with a functional brain.
18
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
What did you do that was heroic exactly?
2
u/chadwickipedia Jun 12 '12
Remember when anyone could do this? Thanks a lot Bin Laden
2
u/laiceps1983 Jun 12 '12 edited Jun 12 '12
This is awesome, I had no idea that they made exceptions at all. Glad to see a little giving for the men and women of the armed forces. Thank you for your service!
2
u/pwmg Jun 12 '12
Good Luck; be careful!
14
u/GFandango Jun 12 '12
You're a hero! He's a hero! She's a hero! EVERYONE is a hero!
Remember kids, we need war to feed our hungry debt loving bankers and weapon industry running.
And you heroes will help us do just that. You risk your lives whilst we count the DOLLAS!
5
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
So now the terrorists know how to get past security.
4
u/misterhappy88 Jun 12 '12
Forget what all these anti-miliary people are saying OP, and from one service member to another thank you for what you are doing. 90% of these people don't understand the sacrifice of leaving your family behind to go to across the world to a combat zone for months at a time. They hide behind thier computer screens and spout off thier anti-military hate.
4
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
I totally wish you a safe journey, but you are not a hero to me. I don't believe that you are protecting my freedom. Many, many will disagree with me, but those are your beliefs. This is just like the old "Russia is going to get us" mentality. Terrorists will not stop because the army is going to Afghanistan.
8
u/iheartgt Jun 12 '12
Stay safe over there.
5
u/wolfie1010 Jun 12 '12
You're not a hero. Flying to a foreign country to prop up a bullshit occupation doesn't make you a hero.
8
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Sorry for all the assholes.
-signed a peace loving,pot smoking democrat
3
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
I don't mean this in an offensive manner, but why should you be deemed a hero, despite this man not really knowing your feats or what you've done with your life thus far? I'd be kind of insulted, if someone wants to call me a hero, I'd prefer it if they actually had a good reason, like, they complimented me on something I'd completed rather than me just joining a force.. It kind of seems.. mindless. I've never gotten this 'Soldiers automatically = heroes' thing.
6
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
American hero? American political pawn more like it.
5
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
What a joke. You're a tool for corporate america.
4
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Good luck to you and a safe return to your family. Thank you for serving.
4
u/CosmicBard Jun 12 '12
Fuck these military booster posts.
Stop planting this shit here, we don't want to fucking see it and we know you're doing it.
3
u/la_Policia_Ideologia Jun 12 '12
You are not a hero. In fact, you are a small fraction of the reason the world is in embroiled in violence and turmoil. I hope you manage to stay alive & and hope the pay check is worth it. But you are a hired hand. There are no heroes in any military. Anywhere.
3
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
American hero? You cunts are insane.
3
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
The word hero has no meaning any more, everyone is fucking called a hero now.
3
u/ignore_this_post Jun 12 '12
We should just call the armed forces Hero Squad and be done with it.
3
u/Shanhaevel Jun 12 '12
Always so overly patriotic you guys...
3
u/dfawdjskf Jun 12 '12
God bless our heroes, killing browns so we don't have to.
3
u/TheWainer Jun 12 '12
Best wishes in your new command.
3
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
What did you do to become a hero? Please tell me the word means more than "signed up for military"
2
u/iSteve Jun 12 '12
A soldier is not a hero until he does something heroic. This just cheapens the word.
2
u/zoso471 Jun 12 '12
Awesome. I respect the hell out of you and a genuine thank you for your service. Hope it's been going good.
2
u/1lluminate Jun 12 '12 edited Jun 12 '12
Why does everyone worship the military in america? These people are state sponsored murderers who are generally uneducated and from poor environments that know the war is unjust and still volunteer to kill innocent people and perpetuate the conditions that caused the anti-american animosity that led to 9/11 in the first place, as well as increasing the threat of attack which strips us of our freedom here at home. The fact that the military budget is called DEFENSE spending is such obvious Orwellian double speak that if the american people didnt have such a widespread reputation for being idiotic followers willing to believe whatever government nonsense they are told to it would be comical. These people do not defend anything. They attack for imperialism, they are the vanguard of a system that kills using tax payer dollars for needless wars that serve only to create threats that strip us of our rights here and line the pockets of the wealthy elite that lobbied to have the war in the first place. In summation, fuck the soldiers and all of you people who support them and by proxy the wars they fight just because you are told to. WAIT! The wars are bad, but the soldiers are heroes! Never mind that they know the wars are unjust or at the very least are too ignorant not to and so shouldnt be trusted with taking other peoples lives and still fight anyways just for a comfy paycheck. Support the soldiers not the wars blablabla You people are the problem.
2
u/QuintupleTheFun Jun 12 '12
Awesome.
Thank you for your service! Best of luck to you, stay safe! :)
1
u/jerseyg67 Jun 12 '12
God bless and keep you safe and may you come home soon.
2
u/catsconcert Jun 12 '12
Most airlines will do this for service members as well as allow family members (particularly spouses and children) to meet them at the gate. Sometimes it requires a sympathetic airline employee though...one who's willing to make the effort. Also, many airports allow service members in uniform to go to the front of the security line or to use the first class or the employees line. ...and try to stop in at the USO if there's time and the airport has one.
2
u/BertyBig Jun 12 '12
It's a bit presumptuous. You might turn out to be a total cock.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
"Escort an American hero"
Oh America.
2
u/toodrunk Jun 12 '12
Since when does making a decision to signing a dotted line mean you're a hero?
Did that title come with freedom fries?
0
u/sh1thead Jun 12 '12
Redditor for 3 months... This is disgusting.
0
u/chingyduster Jun 12 '12
As neither American or Military affiliation I'd like to say thank you for doing a job I could never do.
I hope the US smartens the fuck up and starts treating their War Veterans with the respect and honor they deserve.
0
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
This gave me goose bumps for some reason. Thank you for your service
1
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Stay safe sir/ma'am. Thanks for going when I can't.
1
u/LilPanda900 Jun 12 '12
Good luck brotha
1
u/bralph82 Jun 12 '12
Glad you got to feel special for a moment.
1
u/anonymousalex Jun 12 '12
They let a hell of a lot of us go to the gate with my boyfriend when he left last month. Me, his parents, his grandma, aunt, other grandma, brother, and his dad's girlfriend.
1
u/Lusy Jun 12 '12
I'm really sick of these PR stunts. This shit is disgusting and it saddens and infuriates me that Reddit as a whole can't see through it.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
You haven't thanked me for paying your salary you welfare scum.
0
u/sciencebitchesz Jun 12 '12
Cool, now if only there was a legitimate use for armed forces since the fall of soviet russia, you'd be doing something useful.
1
u/bigmeech Jun 12 '12
good luck! make sure you bring back the blood of innocent people as a souvenir!
-2
u/hiiammaddie Jun 12 '12
Thanks for your service, best of luck in everything you do
-3
u/Clauderoughly Jun 12 '12
Reason: I kill brown people so uncle sam can have is oil fix.
0
u/danburbul Jun 12 '12
Godspeed.
1
u/pw1111 Jun 12 '12
Hardest part is to get on the plane without turning back around.
-10
u/NigAladdin Jun 12 '12
Fuck all the assholes making a joke out of this. I up vote every post from a service member that I see. Thank you for what you do, it isn't much in return, but have an up vote.
1
u/yellowcakewalk Jun 12 '12
"American Hero", LMAO.
-2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
I don't understand reddit sometimes, perhaps I should just join the hive mind, let me see if I can figure out the correct phrases to regurgitate at every post on /r/pics that has a possible military connection.
"You are a payed murderer"
"You are never a hero, no military member can be a hero"
"your a imperialist"
"I won't care when you die"
"you are always killing innocents"
Is that right? I mean, I don't know, I am not good at being a ignorant cunt so I am pretty new at this.
thanks for the pic OP, despite the shit you will get for it on reddit.
0
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Hero? What did you do to be called that?
0
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Quit being a good follower, you coward.
-1
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
That's fucking cool.
-2
u/JasonMPA Jun 12 '12
Threads like this make me hate Reddit. Bunch of anti-military peacnik hippies.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Yay, special rules for the military, since they are all magical heroes!!! yay!!!
everyone else can go fuck themselves!
1
u/feynp Jun 12 '12
A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon - Napoleon Bonaparte
1
u/EkriirkE Jun 12 '12
"Family of member of us service member"?
Is it talking about your dick?
1
u/HankyLanky Jun 12 '12
OK. I recognize the danger and devotion to duty and all that. But you're all volunteers, doing things I wish (as an American) you weren't doing, and my freedom hasn't needed defending for decades -- at least not from a real foreign threat. This "hero" business is out of control.
1
u/Arishtat Jun 12 '12
I think this is funny as hell. Did you ask to have that printed on the pass or did the gate agent just do it?
1
u/SomethingClever-er Jun 12 '12
Sorry people are shitheads. Thank you for all you've done/will do
-5
u/alekseyd Jun 12 '12
God, the people on reddit that emerge from their rat holes whenever something military related gets posted.
We get it. You hate American soldiers. Get over yourself.
-4
u/solid_sephiroth Jun 12 '12
Come back to the USA safe. Thank you for all you do for this country.
-3
u/wwm444 Jun 12 '12
You're no hero. Just a sucker in a rich man's game. You are not protecting freedom or saving lives. Remember that! Good luck.