The Story: American civilian citizens are obligated to do two things without question: first, support the troops and second, thank troops for their service. The first, the story of support the troops, means not only appreciating the work of the armed forces but also accepting without dispute the growing defense budget, the wars the troops fight, and the notion that the troops are the leading, frontline defenders of American freedoms. Without this silent approval by the civilian populace, the story of support the troops implies, the United States would be lost.