Support the Troops! Or, er... um.... make them support you at their own expense!

(Excerpted from MSNBC) My son is an army reservist and he returned from Iraq last March. He was ordered to attend one of the inauguration parties. I am prior service myself, so I felt very proud that he was chosen from all the people in his group. This particular gathering was to honor many of the soldiers and their families who have been to Iraq. A group of five drove down from Long Island to Washington last Monday morning, and they were to return Tuesday evening. Around midnight on Tuesday, my son returned home, looking tired from the drive. The next morning, he told me he didn't have a good time because they basically stood around and watched the president say a few words. He said there was no food provided for them, so they ate after the event at some fast-food restaurant. They spend all this money for this celebration and can't feed my son? He stayed at a local military base with the rest of the group, but they made him pay for the room. Apparently, there was a mix-up, or they were short a room. I don't care what the problem was, he was told to go, this was not an option, orders were cut for this excursion! I am disgusted and horrified that he had to even show his wallet for this event. In addition to serving as a medic in the 310 MP Batallion, my son is a full-time student and works part-time to fill in the gaps the military doesn't. He takes his responsibility as a soldier very seriously. I am angered at the way he has been treated. People need to know how some heroes are being treated by their own government. --Rebecca Lawson, West Babylon, N.Y. msnbc.msn.com/id/6863629/ (add your www)

That's awful and I 'm so sorry he had to go through all that. I'm sure if those who were treated so poorly went to the proper people in the Inag. Affairs Office, they will see the money/expenses returned and I would hope a sincere apology as well. But, I can't help asking ....Who could we blame for this awful series of injustices...the RNC, the Dept. of Defense or Rumsfeld, Fox News or Hannity, maybe his Commanding Officer....oh! could it be Geoge or Laura's fault? (insert sarcasm here).

Oh Sally, It looks like Bush's budget contains an item to CUT veteran's health benefits. "Support the Troops!" news-record.com/news/opinions/1_budget_021505.htm (add a www.) Gonna blame Hannity for that one?

You are just too funny! Once in awhile his arogance gets me too, though most often I do agrre with the jerk. Hope all is well with you. Thanks for the snicker.

Maybe next time I'll proofread my postings. Just look like another dumb redneck republican. Oh no, we vote too.