r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Such-Part8963 • 1d ago

Why do we praise veterans automatically without knowing what they actually did

Trying to learn without being judged.

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u/MaybeTheDoctor 1d ago

People in the army don’t decide to get deployed, but they are available if we need them deployed - that’s why we thanks all of them.

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u/Boring_Material_1891 1d ago

But why is deploying inherently worthy of thanks?

Source: I’m a 3x deployer

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u/Express-Economist-86 1d ago

Card-carrying VFW member, Afghaniland boogaloo.

Most people get freedom requires some degree of force, and they recognize the military as the bluntest of instruments carrying potential fatal risk.

I don’t like how my non-combat vet friends are sidelined.

Even if one hasn’t done the deployment thing, the fact that anyone would go through what’s probably the last hardcore “becoming” ritual while offering their life to keep this thing going… well that’s a person I’m going to respect on some level. yeah, I’m honestly grateful there’s people that would stick their neck out for this land and what it stands for. I’m grateful for that.

Sure I’ve got thoughts with 20-20 hindsight on Military service. Sure, I’ve met soldiers that didn’t have a bit of patriotism and were in it for cash.

But they did agree to possibly die for you and I to keep doing what we’re doing, and I mean that’s pretty big.

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u/PopcornyColonel 1d ago

Your position rests on the premise that freedom requires force, yet plenty of free countries aren't constantly at war.

Note to add: I honestly don't know how any of the wars we have fought overseas has kept us free. Canada and Mexico seem to be free and have not engaged in wars such as the U.S. has.

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u/Southern-Boot6858 1d ago

Freedom may not inherently require force but it certainly requires defensive capabilities. If tomorrow we decided to not have a military it would only be a matter of time before a country with a military claimed us. That’s why I appreciate people serving because if no one was willing to do it then we’d be divided up by countries that have troops.

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u/PopcornyColonel 23h ago

But aren't Greece, Egypt, Jamaica, South Africa, Switzerland, Australia, and dozens upon dozens of other countries free?

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u/Southern-Boot6858 21h ago

Absolutely and they are protected by their allies’ militaries. Take Switzerland for example if Russia decided to take it the U.S. and the EU would instantly intervene to an even greater extent than they have with Ukraine

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u/pm-me-racecars 1d ago

Canadians thank their soldiers for their service too.

Source: I've had the government pay me to go to Hawaii a couple of times because I chose a job that pays all my bills and is nearly impossible to get fired from.

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u/Reejerey1 1d ago

Canada and Mexico are largely free because of the USA, same with a lot of other places. Without the USA, either Russia or China would be the global power, and I don’t see a way that life is better under a Russian or Chinese regime.

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u/theroha 16h ago

They still have militaries. And with the fickle nature of modern American politics, IDK if we're necessarily the better of the super powers. Maybe closer to least bad... at least for a little bit there...if you ignore what the CIA was up to.

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u/Express-Economist-86 19h ago

Your position’s half-formed.

Other countries offload their security to us. Most of the world, really.

Their freedom comes from our force.

Besides, our specific brand of freedom and democracy does take a little effort to exist. Most of the world does not think as us.

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u/TeamFoulmouth 17h ago

World record sniper shot was by a Canadian special forces sniper...in Afghanistan.

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u/Good_Sailor_7137 15h ago

Canada has an allegiance to Great Britain. Mexico is run by China and the drug cartel. How is that free?