American vs British soldiers

[almostwitty]

I was in a queue for some bagels, behind a very tall soldier fully decked out in green camouflage uniform. While in the queue, someone else randomly went up to him, shook his hand and said "I thank you, soldier, for protecting our country" before going on his way.

I'm not too sure how much that happens in the United States - do random strangers thank policemen and fire fighters too? Certainly contrasts to the UK, where the armed forces essentially had to launch a media campaign telling people to thank the Army and Navy after there were rumours of hotels barring soldiers and the like.

Whilst waiting for our respective bagels, I was tempted to look up to the soldier (man, he was TALL!) and ask him why he was wearing his uniform instead of casual civillian clothing. I mean, it can't have been that comfortable, surely - and you don't see policemen or fire fighters wearing their uniform off-duty. But alas my courage failed me - another reason why I'll never be a journalist...

Just 150 minutes to wait to my next connection...

Comments

[countessof-roth.livejournal.com]

They were probably a crazy die hard republican that thinks this "war on terror" is a decent and noble cause.

I support the guys over there because they are putting their lives at stake, however i don't support the REASON why they are there.

[red-silk-robe.livejournal.com]

When traveling under orders, American Personnel are required to wear uniform. I assume you were in line at an airport :)

And yes, I think in general there is a lot of respect for the military here, in spite of our general anti-war stance. Then again many of us get yelled at for saying that too. As a military daughter I fully believe I can support my troops without believing in the war or the reasons behind it. I think its' more apt to happen now than 40 years ago because we no longer have a draft. People choose to serve.

I thank my firemen and policemen too (the ones I see every day and know well enough, or observe directly enough to appreciate the good they do. October is fire awareness month and my local firehouse will be having an open house next week. I plan to take up a big batch of scones. I do that each year.

And for the record, I'm not a crazy die hard republican that thinks this 'war on terror' is a decent and noble cause--far from it. But that said, it doesn't make our military personnel ignoble either.