War is hell...duh.

If someone becomes a firefighter, it's reasonable to assume that one day, they will be required to fight a fire.  If someone becomes a cop, they might be a victim of criminal violence.  When's the last time you heard of any cop or firefighter or any member of their family bemoan the dangers involved with these vocations?  You don't.  Why?  Because it would be stupid.  You don't hear, "I joined the fire department but didn't think they'd send me to battle deadly fires."  Neither do you hear, "I wanted to be a police officer but didn't expect to be sent in to stop armed robbers or drunken wife beaters."  You don't ever hear such things because these folks and their loved ones know the risks.

So why is it that we hear so much complaining and protesting from the families of soldiers and even from the soldiers themselves?  "Sure, I joined the National Guard but I didn't expect to be deployed, didn't expect to be asked to guard our nation."  "My child shouldn't have to fight in such an unpopular war."  Or even, "My child died for nothing."  This attitude is an insult to the memory of those who sacrified themselves for our country. 

I'm a left-wing liberal and not really a fan of America's current military actions.  However...one of my best friends served a year in Afghanistan.  His patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber, and he still carries shrapnel in his body.  It never crossed his or my mind to complain about his orders or about the war in general.  I was pissed at the bomber, not our politicians.  My friend knew the risks when he joined the reserves and I know he knew.  It was his choice.  I don't have to like the war, but I'll be damned if I'll lessen his accomplishment by bitching about it.