The Yellow Ribbon Syndrome - Part II
WHO KNEW?,...
WHO OF YOU
HONESTLY CARES?
The Fort Stewart Post Exchange sits nestled among tall Georgia Pines – a well-landscaped shopping mall designed to fulfill a soldier’s family needs without ever having to leave the installation.
On a grassy corner near its entrance there are 138 brightly colored pinwheels; glittering sentinels spinning gently, calling attention to the sign posted in the center of the arrangement:
“These 138 pinwheels represent the 138 substantiated cases of Spousal
Abuse on Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield during fiscal year 2006.”
Walking toward the entrance, rows of parked vehicles display Ft. Stewart military decals on the windshields and the owner’s “support for the troops” on the rear bumpers. Magnetic ribbons adorn gas doors, trunk lids, and rear windows – Yellow, Camouflage, Black, and Red/White and Blue; words reading “Support the Troops”, “I Love My Soldier” and “Freedom Isn’t Free”.
In the mini-mall atrium a kiosk is set up selling every magnetic ribbon imaginable – along with hats, t-shirts, lapel pins and coffee mugs. If you don’t find what you want there you can surely find a ribbon with the perfect slogan at the end of an aisle inside.
In 2005, the same grassy corner edging the parking lot held 191 glistening pinwheels once again spinning for attention:
“These 191 pinwheels represent the 191 confirmed cases of Child Abuse
on Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield during fiscal year 2005.”
Who knew?
Who knew that for the fiscal years cited, the 3rd Infantry Division, stationed at Hunter and Ft. Stewart, spent the first half of each deployed to Iraq?
Who knew that while the spouses and family members of the deployed soldiers waited anxiously for their soldiers to return, displaying their support with pride on their vehicle’s rear bumper, they were ill-prepared for the psychological changes war brought?
Who knew that soldiers are trained to survive without relying on others – they will not ask for help?
Who knew that help was needed?
Who cared?
At the courthouse in the center of the community supported by the soldiers of Ft. Stewart, ancient oak trees are circled with giant yellow ribbons tied with elaborate bows. Yellow ribbons line the park in the center of the town square and billboards posted at the boundaries of the town line are painted with giant yellow ribbons and words thanking the 3rd Infantry for their tireless service.
On display racks and checkout counters, local businesses offer magnetic yellow ribbons, lapel pins and wristbands as a last minute purchase to loyal “troop supporters” who leave the store never knowing for certain if the promised 10% of the profit from their sale ever makes it to assist a soldier’s real needs.
It is not just the soldiers who have sacrificed for an undisclosed cause. Their families have paid the price as well, and continue to pay in amounts that far exceed the 10% profits taken in on their behalf from trading companies selling “troop support” created in sweat shops tucked away in foreign countries where thanking American troops for their generous support yields a far greater profit.
It’s time for American citizens to look into the mirror and ask themselves, “What do we really know?” and “How much do we really care?”
Be honest.
Do you really care?
Do you care that the support you profess on your rear bumper is created in a factory in a foreign country that doesn’t care if our soldiers die, as long as Americans continue to support them?
Do you care that the support you profess on your rear bumper is a shallow cover for the truth of your actions, rather your inactions?
Do you care that your debt to those who have given for so long on your behalf is long overdue?
American citizens own our military installations. American citizens will ultimately pay the bills for everything that happens on every installation, for every result of every military operation, and for every injustice served on our soldiers as a result of the lack of accountability our citizens should demand from commanders who believe themselves outside of the laws of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice.
American soldiers have accepted their responsibility to defend the policies and laws of this country. They have sacrificed their personal lives so that someone is on the frontlines in defense of the principles on which this country was founded.
American citizens are responsible for ensuring that the laws and policies in place to be defended are worth defending – and American citizens are responsible for “watching the backs” of our soldiers who serve on their behalf.
American soldiers and their families are giving everything they have for what they have volunteered to do.
American citizens – give empty words emblazoned on a magnetic yellow ribbon.
The support of the American citizen – hardly worth dying for.
Monica Benderman is a Senior Staff Writer for Choice America Network. She has been widely published throughout the Internet and Newspapers around the world. Her husband is Sgt. Kevin Benderman. You may contact her at mdawnb@coastalnow.net
Copyright 2006 EvansMediaUSA
