Since the early 2000s, the United States has been involved with conflicts in the Middle East. In particular, the U.S. has been involved in the Iraq War, beginning in 2003, and the Afghanistan War (also called the War on Terror), which began in 2001. While earlier wars, such as World Wars I and II, involved the American home front through the media, donations and rations, the recent conflicts in the Middle East have been less publicized and have required less involvement and sacrifice of everyday citizens. As a result, Americans now are generally less informed about the nation’s wars.

Over the past few years, many people have faced economic hardship. Some of the American people have placed blame on the American troops, saying that the increase in defense spending has driven the country into debt. However, there are others who support the troops despite having opposing views regarding the war, both its causes and outcomes.

Senior Sarah Richman, a member of WJ’s Amnesty International chapter, said that although she doesn’t always agree with their missions, she respects American soldiers and war veterans for putting their lives on the line for their country.

“I think the general public would agree with me, although some people do use love for the troops as a political crutch, which I think is inherently disrespectful,” she added.

Richman cited various reasons to decrease in support for the war, and troops in general. She believes that the American public certainly seems a lot less supportive of war efforts and troops than in the past.

“This is probably due to the combination of the unclear motives for the Iraq War, [and] more cynical people having the internet access to express their displeasure and other factors,” said Richman, who added that the Middle East as a whole has a longstanding complicated political climate, which she doesn’t think the U.S. took enough time to really understand before diving into war.

“No weapons of mass destruction have been found,” she said, “but I think we have mishandled this situation and have stirred up more instability and resentment in an already unstable region.”

Sophomore Lila Klaus added that people may not support the occupation of the Middle East due to the perception that the U.S. entered the war for the wrong reasons; particularly that the nation got involved unnecessarily and that it was not America’s place to get involved in the conflicts. She also believes that the defense spending has been a factor in the nation’s economic downfall occurring in the past couple of years.

“It was a little bit of a waste of money I guess, because now we’re so in debt and because of all the Iraq Wars,” she said.

However, Klaus believes it is important to recognize war veterans and the service they have done. The former WJ Peace and Social Action Club (WJ PSAC) already took matters into their own hands, having created a mural with hundreds of stars, each representing a soldier lost in the Iraq War. According to WJ PSAC member Paige Cohen, the mural was created under the leadership of Gabe Schwartzman, currently a student at UC Berkeley.

“I think a lot [of people] disregard [the soldiers], because they maybe don’t support the war,” said Klaus, whose grandfather served in the Navy. “They kind of just blame the soldiers for the problems, when it’s really not their  fault. They’re just trying to help.”

Although Klaus does not agree with some of the war’s underlying principles, she considers herself a proud American.

“I like being an American,” said Klaus. “I wouldn’t consider myself like a ‘raging’ patriotic, per se, [but] this is a good country where we all have equal rights and equal opportunities unlike in some countries.”

Although American soldiers and veterans may not be appreciated on a regular basis, one day a year is dedicated to them and their service. November 11 marked an annual federal holiday, Veterans Day, during which American service men and women, past or present, are honored for their service and sacrifice. However, this is the sole day each year that is dedicated to these men and women, while their sacrifices take place every day.

“To me, Veterans Day means ‘Thanks, soldiers. I really appreciate you going out and experiencing horrible traumatic things so that I don’t have to,’” said Richman.