Where are the magnets produced that "support our troops" ?
I was wondering if anyone knew where the flags and yellow ribbon magnets are manufactured and how much of the profit goes to any programs that really support our troops. Programs such as; rehab from injuries suffered while in service to our country and possibly some educational benefits for soldiers or their dependents.
I think money spent on producing these emblems of "support" would be better spent on programs like those instead of putting it in the pockets of foreign manufacturers of "patriotic" magnets and stickers.
From the research I and others have done it seems that these magnets are all made in China. We could not find any that were made in the U.S.A
This doesn't strike me as much of a way to support the troops. What does it really do for them anyway? I can't figure how this helps some 18 year old that has had his leg blown off from the knee down. I can't figure out how this helps a 15 or 20 year veteran who has been killed during the course of this or any other war.
Why don't we work to ensure that the V.A. doesn't cut the budget that goes to provide medical care for our veterans and active duty service members? Is lip service all are we capable of, and not actually doing anything to really help the troops? I, for one, am tired of seeing these magnets and stickers on people's cars who never thought about the troops before this war started.
I don't recall seeing in the year 2000 the vast numbers of people who are now so concerned with the troops welfare. After the war started in 2003 people were coming out of the wood work wanting to one up their neighbor by having one more magnet. It seems to me that there are many people who never thought about the troops until this war started. Where was all of this concern before this war? Why do they wait to show so much concern for the troops?
I do not appreciate all of this hoopla about the support of the troops during war while during peacetime there is not one iota of concern about the troops from an apathetic public. I know of soldiers who have attempted suicide as a result of their service in war and how many who buy magnets even know about this?
On Ft. Stewart in front of the main Post Exchange store they have a display of small pin wheels that represent 138 cases of spousal abuse by soldiers that have come back from combat only to see their young wife couldn't manage the bills while they were away in Iraq. The young wives squandered the money that should have gone to pay the bills, the young men could not deal with this after coming back from combat and reacted in a violent manner.
In 2004 there was a display of pinwheels depicting 191 cases of child abuse on Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army air field in Savannah, Ga. This was a result of extended combat tours in Iraq and the people who buy the magnets think by doing so they are helping the troops.
Well, you should ask those 191 children and 138 spouses if spending $2.00 on those stupid magnets are giving them any support.
