I enjoy learning foreign languages. One of the things I enjoy most about learning a foreign language is the insight it provides into the culture of the countries in which the language is spoken.

Often the meaning of a set expression is very different than what the literal translation of the words would convey. In Northern Mexican Spanish "pico de gallo" literally means "beak of the rooster," but in everyday speech it means "drink out of the bottle." Pop a top off of a bottle of soda or beer and drink it straight out of its container. You're drinking it "pico de gallo."

I fear sometimes that "We support our troops" is becoming a set expression in the US today.

"We support our troops" has become code for "I like the men and women of the armed services, but not the government of the US." The chief executive of the armed services is the President of the United States, and whether you like him or not, the troops answer to him. They answer likewise to their superior officers.

"We support our troops," but we think they are washouts that can't understand the peril that they are in. We hear stories of the failures of discipline and vigilance printed in our newspapers, only rarely do we read stories of hope.

"We support our troops," but we know the names of soldiers that required rescuing and not the ones decorated for heroism. A Memorial Day article in the Wall Street Journal (link to full article here) talked about Leigh Ann Hester. Are you asking yourself, "who is Leigh Anne Hester?"

"The Kentucky National Guard vehicle commander was awarded a Silver Star last year for fighting off an insurgent attack on a convoy in Iraq. The first woman to receive a Silver Star since World War II, and the first woman ever to receive one for close combat."

"We support our troops" but we hope that someone else will help them with any problems that they have when they arrive home.

"We support our troops" but we don't give any support to the families that they have left behind while they serve. Their family members get to hear all about the failures of the US military, maybe even anonymously at some party.

"We support our troops" should NOT be a set expression. It should be a sign that we respect the men and women fighting for our freedom and the freedom of people around the world. It should be support for those troops that need it as well as honor for those that show themselves to be courageous in the most dire situations. Today, they walk patrols, they risk their lives, they miss their families. They'll also be doing these things on other holidays that their family at home has to celebrate without them.

Enjoy your celebrations on this Independence Day; support those who continue to make it possible. Don't make "We support our troops" a set expression for a different meaning. Show respect. We have a wonderful free society. Our troops have made that so.