It's tragic that these young men will suffer the rest of their lives with these injuries, but I can't feel sorry for them. They chose to enlist in the military, and thus chose their fate. When you actively choose to pursue something like the military, you deserve whatever happens to you. Any complaint or pity is not justified. There was not a draft. Why anyone would choose to enlist is beyond me. They deserve what they got.

These men enlisted to protect YOUR freedom. how can you not feel pity or sorrow for our soldiers that make it so you have the freedom to post the stupid things you do online.

The military does not protect my, or your, freedom. Tell me, how does invading Iraq protect my freedom? How does invading Afghanistan and fighting against a phantom enemy protect me?

When was the last time my freedom was threatened? Pearl Harbor in WW II, even though Hawaii wasn't even a state? If a threat to my freedom is an act of war by a foreign power perpetrated on the United States mainland, you have to go back to the war of 1812, when the British invaded.

The truth is, the military hasn't protected the freedom of Americans for at least 65 years. The guys who have lost hands and legs and lives since then suffered in vain. I pity the ones who were drafted. I snicker at those who volunteered. LIke I said before, they deserve what they got. They are not heroes. Being a hero meanns performing heroic acts, and losing a foot in a meaningless war is about as far as heroic as you can get.

You make me sick…these men and women enlisted to protect all Americans. Unfortunately, you are one of them. Instead of berating and belittling what they have gone through for you, you should be grateful. Our military men and women are out there risking life and limb for complete strangers just because that is their calling in life. So get off your soap box and shut up!!!

I would like to thank the military men and women for preserving my right to free speech.

God Bless You.

You are pathetic. Why don't you leave our country and go somewhere far away. People join the military for reasons bigger then yourself. Get a life.

Can you remember 9/11? That was an act against America. I repeat myself from earlier when I say that these men enlisted to protect YOUR freedom.

Thank you to To:The Truth @ 9:57 for your agreement that "The Truth" is a fool

Are you "The Truth" just trying to ruffle feathers? Fact is the military does more than defend us in other nations - they assist in protecting our borders, natural disasters, etc.
And besides that, the world we live in has changed drastically since WWII - we are more connected to our world community than ever before. Events that happen on the other side of the globe DO DIRECTLY AFFECT US. You can try to paint a different picture - but that's reality. Their wounds are our wounds.
I am proud of the US Military and will support all who serve to protect me.

It is disrespectful to the men and women that serve to be discussing how they die for no reason. "The Truth" needs to get a reality check.
I bet you havent gotten off your fat butt to do anything active (that doesnt include the getting into the car for the drive through at micky Ds)and there are terrorists that wish to take away all your money, clothes, and even your precious food.
Everyday I am thankful for our armed forces.
God Bless America

I am being serious. I honestly feel this way, quite passionately. It's baffling to me how the rest of the country doesn't feel the same.

The modern military is laughable. Recruiting ages have been raised and standards have been lowered. Certain branches of the military now accept those who are legally retarded. Illegal aliens can join. Convicted felons are given weapons and uniforms. Street gang ties to the military are a growing problem. The military is a haven for the uneducated, unskilled, unwanted, and unloved. This is fact, acknowledged by politicians and high-ranking military officers. They'll take whomever they can get.

Terrorism is not war. The 9/11 disaster, while tragic, should not be countered by military invasions. Do any of you realize that the rest of the world, literally, is against the United States' aggressive military action in Iraq? Can an entire planet be wrong? When you consider that not a single 9/11 terrorist was from Iraq, the current war becomes laughable. Continue to support our troops, those who complain when they are sent overseas even though they chose to volunteer. I'll stay here, exercising my right to complain. Thirty years from now, you will see that I'm right.

Where is your creditable evidence??? Give me that and then we can talk about seeing things your way.

I see that you have a point with the military taking many of "undesirables" but the fact is they are still fighting for American independance. Many other nations have helped out America in the war against Iraq and in the war on terror.
When hitler was invading Europe and all the axis powers supported him. the world was divided. How can Half of the whole world be wrong????? well my point is that people grow up in environments and those environments dictate their viewpoints on what is right and wrong.
We are here in Amereica and we need to respect those that PROTECT OUR FREEDOM

Thank you for the amusing comments. I love how Adam thinks expressing my opinion here automatically makes me fat and lazy. I'm running the St. George marathon in a few months. Care to go running tonight, Adam? I'm only doing about 9 miles. Then I'll hit McDonald's.

For the record, and to counter Adam, terrorists aren't trying to take our "money, clothes, and precious food." Terrorism, by definition, is a means to further political purposes, not to gain resources or provisions. (Terrorism: the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes.) But thank you for exposing your ignorance once again.

To "The Truth @11:13 am), I think you meant to write "credible" instead of "creditable." Look up both those words and you'll see why I'm still giggling. Your collective comments only validate the veracity of my beliefs. Is it any wonder that the same people who support those in the military can't express a cogent argument, or articulate that argument in print?

One fact remains: The US military has not protected my freedom in my lifetime. Anyone who thinks differently needs an education. But I respect your right to be wrong.

One fact is undeniable:

Running. 9 o clock. sounds good. where should I meet ya?

You can correct me, but you can’t answer me. Now isn’t that interesting. You are basically stating that your opinion is just that an opinion. No facts to base anything on.

Truth, I respect your opinion. I'm glad we live in a free country where you have the right to such an opinion without someone knocking down your door in the middle of the night and dragging you off somewhere to be re-educated.

I'm especially glad this country, in which you're free to have your opinion, has the credibility to stand as a free nation amongst those who disagree with our way of life.

I'm glad our military (which is a volunteer microcosm of our society, not an elitist group by the way) provides us with such credibility.

Finally, I'm really glad you are such a skilled runner. If our military, which you find so laughable, ever fails...you'll be doing a lot of it.

I gave you facts. The military recruiting standards speak for themselves about what kind of people are currently serving. The invasion of Iraq was unjustified based on simple terrorism with no Iraqi ties. What other facts do you want? Ask something specific and I'll be happy to address your concerns.