Tuesday, April 29, 2008

article

Check out "Anti-War Wounds." The article is an eloquent expression of what it feels like to be married to a military servicemember during this war. And it makes a pretty good point on using the word "we." Katie Dyer was able to put into words something that is often so difficult to express.

Update: I think the writer's focus was not on the anti-war movement but rather on what it is like for military spouses when confronted with some of those attitudes by people who have no idea what our lives or our spouses' lives are like or about. I had something similar happen on my recent house hunting trip. While eating breakfast one morning, an older man started chatting with my mother-in-law and me. As soon as he found out that Stretch was in the military, he immediately started in with how terrible the war was and what a waste it was and then followed up with "but your husband probably supports it" as if all military members blindly support anything and everything the administration does. Regardless of Stretch's views, this man was talking to me. And he had no idea of what my views were or what it feels like to hear someone say that the past year my husband and I spent apart had no value and was a complete waste. I think Ms. Dyer's point was that everyone has the right to their own opinion but opinions can be expressed without trampling on other people. For one protester to tell her that she'd join them when her husband was dead was going beyond the pale.

5 comments:

calista said...

I couldn't agree more...I loved that article. Even if you're not married to a servicemember but have family members who serve, she really brought the point home.

Christine said...

It's well written stylistically, but I don't agree at all with many of her generalizations on the anti-war movement.

Anonymous said...

That particular protester example is insane. There are insane ones out there. There are equally as many extreme "patriots" (and I use that term in the loosest sense of the word) who argue their side with as little or less awareness of soldiers and families. People need to be aware and grateful and just THOUGHTFUL. Agreement without thought is as worthless as knee-jerk opposition, in my opinion.

Marine Wife said...

Meredith, I agree. It's the extremists on both sides that make others look bad. Seeing people figuratively wrap themselves up in the flag and belittle anyone who doesn't agree with them is just as offensive.

liberal army wife said...

And those of us who are in the middle, (yeah, I know I am a liberal, but I'm not crazed!) are treated like some type of pariah by both sides. I've been called a traitor by the right, and a sell out by the left. I don't agree with the war (so to the right, I'm a traitor) but I'm loyal to my DH, to the troops and to their families (so I'm a sellout to the left). An extreeeeeeeme left winger told me that because I was proud to be a milspouse, I am some sort of stepford wife. A serving soldier told me I couldn't be a good military wife if I don't support the President...

When strangers meet me and realize I'm a milspouse, they either berate me as being "part of the machine" or assume that I am a Republican, if they see that I am a liberal.. you got it, I'm some sort of slime that is stabbing my DH in the back. sigh.... the only one I care about, accepts me for who and what I am. so to the rest... pffft.

LAW