Service.

I served in the military, as have many of my friends. Each one of us has our own experiences be they good, bad, or indifferent. I personally enjoyed my 20 years of service, and have a lot to give thanks for. For others it is a period in their lives they would want to forget.

Regardless, people who served this country need to keep in mind that the sacrifices we made should not be ignored, or downplayed, or used as a political chess piece to suit one's ambition. That having been said, Mr. Obama needs to get a big dose of reality upon his return to the States. 48 hours on the ground in Afghanistan does not foreign policy experience make; nor does the brief stop over in Iraq, Syria, or where ever else his pundits think that he could benefit from by putting boots on the ground.

I find it ironic that he (Obama) voted against the surge in Iraq, and he voted against some of the spending bills that were going to support our troops by getting them body armor, armored Hummers, and better equipment to bring the fight to the enemy -and then has the audacity to stand next to the very same troops and have his pictures taken with them. I know as a Senator you can call anyone over and talk with them, and out of military protocols and courtesy a soldier must comply. What I find odd about it is that the media leaves out the audio portion of the encounters. I guess that one could insert any dialouge and feel good about the encounter -it also appears to bolster his "street cred" among the members of the military.

...I ain't buying it!