Super Bowl commercial: HeroSalute.com

Busch Entertainment Corporation ^ | February 6, 2005 | Anheuser-Busch

[cubreporter]

You betcha. Anyone fighting for freedom has my support.

[Clyde05]

Regarding the gender issue, I don't think anyone is saying that women soldiers shouldn't be honored along with men soldiers. Quite the contrary, I think they're saying that both men and women soldiers should be honored together.

Any way you look at it, the ad puts emphasis on women and minority soldiers...even to the exclusion of white male soldiers, who make up the majority of the military. No one likes to be excluded. When it's not one's "own group" being excluded, the tendency is to think that others are making a big deal over nothing when they raise the issue. (For example, if there had been no women in the commercial, I think the responses of several contributors to this board would be quite different).

Unfortunately in America today, there's a far too pervasive thought that being "inclusive" means "excluding" non-politically correct groups.

I hope we can all agree that every soldier, sailor, airman, and marine is worthy of our deepest respect, admiration, and gratitude.

With that in mind, let's not bestow special emphasis on either gender or any race (i.e. giving a huge thanks to one and a small token of appreciation to another...) and give every service man and woman the honor he or she deserves.

[Clyde05]

Having just watched the ad for a second time, I'd like to correct an earlier post of mine. I think that while there was some skewed representation, exclusion is too strong of a word...and that the ad does do a good job of honoring all of our troops.

Having said that, I do find some of the commentary that followed to be troubling (i.e. huge thanks to some, small token of appreciation to others....thanking men and WOMEN, with the emphasis noted by the capitalization...). I still think we should honor and thank all of our troops without regard to their gender or anything else.

[fatima]

Thanks,Now give all the girls a big kiss.

[Angelwood]

Bumping for later when my speakers are hooked up to my computer again. Just moved and have been without computer access for two weeks!

[SSGT SILVA]

To all that Appreciate the commercial "APPLAUSE" or some of you know it as..."THANK YOU" to our troops,
I like to say I appreciate you.
I'd like to take this time to THANK EVERYONE, who has supported this commercial and our troops in every branch of service.
I am SSGT SILVA, United States Army Veteran, one of the Soldiers who appeared in the commercial.

I was the only one with eye glasses and who shook the hand of an airport employee.
Every one of us who appeared in the commercial, where actual Active Duty Military Soldiers, Not ACTORS. (although it felt good to play as one)
Much more than that, I felt Honored to represent my fellow brother and Sister in arms.

I read every post about the commercial ad "APPLAUSE", on this site, and I must say it truly hits home for me. I couldn't hold back my tears of gratetude you all felt and feel. To read such moving statements and feedback,
Makes me Proud!

I'd like to answer the posted question of: (No patches on the uniforms)
MY ANSWER: It was agreed upon not to show or represent any specific branch of service, so as not to Offend or show favoratism towards a particular branch.

By keeping all our Uniforms the same, without patches and tags, we represent a Unified Military service.
One might argue...why is there more "Army" represented than "Marines", or
why is there more "Airforce" than "Navy"?

So by keeping all our uniforms the same without patches or tags, You just see and think of one unified service.

I hope this answers that question.


Once Again, Thank You All!
Sincerely
SSGT SILVA
United States Army Veteran

[nicmarlo]

Thank you very much for your service, SSgt. Silva.

We are so proud of you and all the military men and women.....we appreciate all you are doing, wherever you are stationed, keeping us safe and protecting us. And thank you, also, to your all your families.

Ping to y'all to SSgt. Silva's post #126

[nicmarlo]

p.s. Welcome to FR

In case you didn't know about the Canteen, I'm sure these two fine people, Tonkin and Esmeraldaa, would gladly welcome you and show you around.

[an amused spectator]

Thanks for your service, SSgt Silva. You're in friendly territory here at the Free Republic.

[Inspectorette]

SSGT Silva, that commercial is saved to my hard drive, and every time I look at it, the tears flow. I am proud to say that our son-in-law served in Iraq for eight months, thankfully returned safe and sound, and is now on duty in Okinawa.

Thank you and your Band of Brothers (and Sisters) for your service to our country.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Thank you for all your efforts, both on active duty and to help be a part of this production. Good for you!

Sign me,
daughter of WWII US Army Vet (medic unit in the Pacific)
granddaughter of WWI US Army Vet (MP in France/Belgium)

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

And welcome to Free Republic!!!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Ping/heads-up to read the latest contributions to this thread - I thought you would appreciate reading SSgtSilva's post above.

[PigRigger]

SSGT SILVA -

Thank you; from the depths of my soul I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate yours, and all your comrades, sacrifices for our country.

I look at my children every day and wonder what is to come of this country. You give us hope that we will succeed and overcome the evil that wishes to harm us.

I pray God will be with you, and with us all, as we go forward.

I pray you all know that the overwhelming majority of Americans support your efforts and wish you Godspeed...

[EsmeraldaA]

Welcome to FR SSGT SILVA, and thank you very much for your service.

At the Canteen we honor and entertain the troops (all uniforms) like the real USO Canteens.
We are open almost 24/7 and will be honored to welcome you there.
Friday night and Saturday(all day) we have the Music Dedication. I hope you stop by and say hello.

This is a link toThe Canteen

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I've heard the term before, but can't remember what it means. What does a pig rigger do?

[PigRigger]

Not what you think....

Just a nickname given to a bunch of guys (who act like pigs at times) who rent a rig, once a year, to see a minor league baseball game somewhere in the US.....Thus, I'm just one of the PigRiggers.....

[Angelwood]

Thank you and all the other members of the U.S. Military forces for your service to our country. God bless you all.

[Angelwood]

Thanks for the ping. SSgt Silva's post was much appreciated. We owe him and the rest of America's troops a debt of gratitude. Freedom is not Free.

[nicmarlo]

thanks, Esme.