US airways gets bad press -attendant wouldn't hang vet's decorated jacket in 1st class closet

[branford]

79. I was actually referencing far more recent stories that I recalled reading about British soldiers.

Last edited Sun Oct 12, 2014, 06:47 AM - Edit history (1)

For example, (see the bottom blurb in blue with some interesting stats).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2290462/What-way-treat-heroine-Royal-Navy-girl-fought-Afghanistan-told-cover-uniform-Virgin-flight-case-offended-passengers.html

In fairness, I admit that I can understand the discomfort cited in your references. However, it also emphasizes the long and proud history and professionalism displayed by our own armed forces and their relationship to the population. Americans normally identify our service members with sacrifice and liberty, not oppression and tyranny, and helps explain why we treat them the way we do.

In modern history, we even tend to treat allied military members in the same fashion. For instance, during Fleet Week and other times here in very liberal NYC, it's not unusual to see British, French and other soldiers and sailors treated to drinks, hands shaken, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if the passengers in the story behaved the same way if it was a British soldier visiting the USA.

No military force is perfect, particularly one the size of ours, and service members are human, and individuals certainly had had their share of problems, but as an institution, they have always been subordinate to our elected leadership, no matter how foolish or shortsighted, and as a result maintain favorability ratings that are the envy of virtually all politicians of both parties.