What about the Soldiers

Having been deployed overseas, I have seen the change how people used to treat soldiers before 9/11 and how we are been treated now. Although the respect has gotten better I hear people complain about the goverment spending too much money on the combat soldier. To a lot of people, It may seem a better idea to spend money on a new aircraft and in the soldier in the ground; however, there has never been a war won without having Foot soldiers in the ground. What do you think?