*edited to say, I am glad, after googling this show, I am not the only one who feels this way.
Let me step up on my soap box for a moment. Excuse me if I am all over the place. I have tried to organize my thoughts on this post for a couple weeks now.
Let me step up on my soap box for a moment. Excuse me if I am all over the place. I have tried to organize my thoughts on this post for a couple weeks now.
NBC has come out with a new reality show called Stars Earn Stripes. If you have not watched it, I am sure you saw commercials for it during the Olympics (and who did not watch the Olympics, right?).
I have a serious problem with the title of the show. There are a few ways soldiers earn their stripes. But what this show is referring to is war. There is no way these stars can earn their stripes unless they have been to ACTUAL war. Hollywood special effects can not simulate war. It can not simulate the constant fear that your life could end at any moment. You can not simulate the post-war effect that war has on one who has actually been there.
Now, Sarah, you are getting too serious about this. This is a fun show on tv, and they get money for charity.
I am serious about this.
This does bother me.
War is serious.
While I have never been to war, I live with someone who has fought in 2 wars, and those wars have forever effected my family!
Stripes are not something that can be earned by running down a field while being shot at by blanks.
It is not something that at the end of the day, you can go sleep in your cozy bed.
It is not something that you can sit on the side lines watching others complete "an obstacle course".
It is not something you win money for.
It is a nightmare.
Constant fear.
Eating with a group of guys one day, but the next they are gone.
It is your heart stopping when you hear that whistle, knowing that since you heard that whistle, it is too late for you.
It is sleeping with your weapon.
It is not sleeping at all.
It is going days, weeks, months with out good food, a clean shower, hearing the voice of a loved one.
It is second guessing everyone, but trusting the soldier to your right and left with your life.
It is watching someone you know die.
It is watching someone you don't know die.
It is having to kill someone...someone who is a real person.
It is going to war, leaving, but never escaping it.
Stars do not have to do this, and they can never earn their stripes! Those stripes are earned by doing something that most of us would never want to do. Less that 1% of our nation is in the military if that tells you something. Who wants to be asked to do those things? Not me!
War is not cool. It is not fun. It is not a Hollywood movie. Most soldiers do not go to war happy about it, especially those that have been there before. It is hell, and they know it.
So, stars go on and compete and give to your charities (which is all fine a good), but please know that after being on this show, you still don't have the smallest idea of what my husband and countless others have been through.
I am not really upset by the show itself...it is the title. It needs to be something more accurate...like Stars Play War.
Ok...I am stepping off my soap box, now.
I will return tomorrow with pictures of my cute kids! :)
4 comments:
Thank you for sharing Sarah!
I have seriously been wondering "what do those in the military actually think about this?" and hearing your perspective, as one who serves along with your hubs is something I've wanted to know. No soap box - you're just sharing REALITY, which that show is not. It totally makes sense all that you said!
We are so thankful for men and women like your hubs and their families who give tirelessly for our country. We are so grateful for their and your sacrifices!
Ps. The reason I "wondered" so often is that every time I saw the previews, "something" just didn't set well with me. Something in said, "I don't like this" or "this isn't right" - I just couldn't put my finger on it. I think your explanation puts a voice to my "feeling". THANKS!
I agree! I feel that the networks are trying to find yet another way to profit off the war this contry has fought,and lost so many good people in. From my research I see that the network had to ask permission to do a lot of the tasks that they plan to do. They (the networks) say its to improve the minds of the people that think our soldiers are not needed over there, but please we all know its to earn a buck. I would be a little more impresses if they were doing something for the wounded warriors, or even the widows of soldiers foundations. Just saying that I have had enough, I do not like the Army wives show, I do not watch it, it has nothing to do with our lives, I do not like to watch war shows that glamorize what our men and women have had to do to make it home.
Thanks for letting me take over the soapbox. LOL
Wife of a soldier Tandy
Heather- I really think that if they titled it differently, it wouldn't have hit a nerve with me. But it seems that many people agree to some extent. There is a group of veterans calling for the show to be removed off air because of what it implies. But I wouldn't go that far. The network has every right to do what they want...I just can't watch it.
Tandy- I thought I was the only Army wife that didn't watch Army WIves! So, glad I am not. I can't stand it also. It is a good drama, but it doesn't portray us accurately.
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