Our American troops are constantly being cut short of appreciation, respect, and honor from the very people they are fighting for. Everyday we complain about waking up in the morning and having to go to school or work; we come home and just want to relax because we had a “long hard day.” Here is the question: do we ever take into consideration that at the same time we are complaining about these things, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines are sacrificing their families and risking their lives in order to protect our rights, our freedom, and the land we call our home?

On September 11, 2001, millions of Americans woke up to learn that the World Trade Center and Pentagon had been attacked and demolished. That day, nearly everybody became a patriot with an American flag waving in front of almost every home. Since that day it seems that a good majority of the American public has lost that patriotism and has forgotten what our troops are fighting for. Now people only recognize the troops for invading foreign lands and killing, what they consider to be, “innocent” people. The American troops are now being criticized for doing their jobs. True, they do volunteer for it, but the idea is that somebody needs to do it; because we are the ones that get to see our families every day and not worry about being shot at or bombs going off.

There are people who seem to support love and protest war, but during March of 2007, these same people spat at, threw bottles at and yelled unnecessary remarks towards the soldiers of the 4th Stryker Brigade 2nd infantry Division. These soldiers had been preparing for their deployment in April, with over 300 Stryker vehicles and any other necessary equipment needed to stay alive. The equipment was being brought over to the port of Tacoma, and the soldiers who were preparing and loading the equipment were being harassed by the “Peace Brigade protectors.” My brother was one of those Soldiers. These people yell “no peaces, no justice” and say they want the troops to come back home, yet they intentionally set up to protest at this port to stop the soldiers from loading and shipping the only equipment that would help keep them alive overseas.

In addition some individuals take away from what little limelight our troops actually receive. Celebrities like Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore received an obscene amount of publicity when they were on the MTV environmental series know as “Trippin.” They had criticized Americans for destroying the environment and having too many luxuries, yet they were being transported by private jet, a full sized fully loaded Chevy SUV, and a complete entourage. Once the series was over, both celebrities returned to their multi-million dollar homes in the United States, and still have yet to get rid of any of their luxuries.

Our troops work hard to ensure our safety and are frequently performing humanitarian missions. Operation Greenback actually gave money back to Iraq, which has been torn apart by war, and helped boost its economy. There was also Operation Goalpost and Operation Blackboard, which enabled the American troops set up soccer fields and schools for the Iraqi children. Unfortunately these missions, and missions similar, are barely noticed by the American people.

Americans mourn over the death of a celebrity of British princess for days and sometimes even years; while the deaths of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines merely make the running titles at the bottom of a newscast. The American troops are our modern day heroes; these are the people who are not afraid to take a stand and protect this country from any foreign and domestic enemies. They do not ask for our praise and worship; however, they do deserve our respect and devoted reverence. The men and women who serve in the United States military are fighting and dying every day to protect our life, our liberty and our pursuit of happiness.