I wore a MIA bracelet during the end of the Vietnam war. Some of my friends did, too. My impression was that those who blamed the troops for Vietnam were the vocal minority who had their own problems dealing with authority. (flames, anyone?) I have always felt that, as a citizen of the US, I owe vets a debt of gratitude for their dedication, and that includes kind treatment! This has nothing to do with politics.
I protested the Gulf War. I protested the current war. I also live near a Navy town and go to the docks to cheer the troops in when one of the big ships comes to port. Regardless of any disagreement over policy, our military people are serving our country with their very lifeblood and deserve respect from all of us. I would boo the politicians who make the policies that run this war, but never, never, never the servicepeople who put their lives on the line for duty and country. I am a little weird that way, but I like it!
My daughter has not picked up the idea of respecting the honor of our troops... at least not yet. She's only 16, so we're working on it. As a parent, I would not be doing my job very well if she goes out into the adult world with her current disillusionment with authority, politics, or our military. As a developing person, she's right on time to be rebelling against authority. if I keep sewing the seeds, they'll be there when she's ready. In the meantime, if anyone who has friends or family in the service should read this, please remember that flaunting of disrespect is often a sign of immaturity in the person inflicting pain, not of any flaw in the recipient.
Xena