Originally Posted by
slynkie
"Support" doesn't make as much sense to me. How does riding a bike support a soldier? I get how it "saves" one. Know what I mean?
Here's why I suggested "support" or "help" rather than "save." In its original incarnation, the slogan (and in particular the use of "
save a soldier" was essentially meant to make the point that increased fuel consumption supports despotic (but oil rich) regimes that engage in all sorts of nefarious behavior that leads to wars that our soldiers end up fighting (and dying) in. Thus, less gas use = fewer wars = fewer soldiers dying. Therefore, riding a bike = saving a soldier - a slogan that's a slightly nicer version of the "how many soldiers per mile does your SUV get?" bumper stickers some people have. (This isn't meant to start an argument about whether these analyses are correct, just to say what the original intent of the message was.) Concern over the political overtones of this message motivated a change in focus to support for Fisher House, which, as I understand it, provides support for the families of wounded soldiers while these soldiers are undergoing treatment (sort of like a military Ronald McDonald's House, right?). Great as this work is, supporting Fisher House (which we'll be doing by purchasing these cool jerseys) doesn't really [U]save[U] a soldier (Fisher House doesn't treat them, after all), rather it helps/supports soldiers and their families (in a really wonderful way). That's why I suggested the wording change.
MPD, thanks for showing the design w/"support." And again, kudos to all doing the leg work on this.