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"I've been hearing that free speech crap since '65/66 and, no Virginia, we weren't fighting for war protesters then and I doubt anyone in Iraq thinks he or she is fighting for war protesters today."

Worth repeating!
(the following modified to reflect my own experiences)
I have heard that free speech crap since 77/86 and, no Virginia, we weren't fighting for war protesters then, and I know none of the all volunteer military force in Iraq thinks he/she is fighting for "war protesters" today.

It is by virtue of the Second Amendment, that the First Amendment to the Constitution of the USA was granted perpetual citizen secured protections against government forces.
A much later "Act of Congress", not a constitutional amendment, enacted the "Posse Comitatus Act" of 1878.
As added and amended, this Act precludes the use of Federal Military Armed Forces directed internally against
any USA civilians by the Federal Government, absent an Act of Congress.
And so Virginia, yes there does indeed exist a clause you may thinly claim as a Constitutional "right to protest" against the men and women of the Armed Forces.
But since Posse Comitatus has not been violated, yet, you are protesting the wrong people.
Protest Congress.
And even when your ignorant ilk were spitting on me at airports, I always have been free to maintain my constitutionally protected "right" as a free citizen to take off my uniform and meet you face to face, and enforce my own First and Second Amendment rights!