Subject:: Our Men in
the Service
Please take a bit of your day to read about those who
give a bit of their life:
The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a
short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal
circumstances is considered by society as half man, half
boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a
beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never
really cared much for work and he would rather wax his
own car than wash his father's; but he has never
collected unemployment either. He's a recent High School
graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued
some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old
jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up
with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he
returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and
roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm
Howitzers.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at
home because he is working or fighting from before dawn
to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter
writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle
in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark.
He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or
grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he
must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first
aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to
stop or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders
instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without
spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He
has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the
other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He
sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean
his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own
clothes, and fix his own hurts.
If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you
are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition
with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has
learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like
they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it,
because that is his job. He will often do twice the work
of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic
humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death
then he should have in his short lifetime. He has stood
atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends who
have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every
note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body
while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning
desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't
bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop
talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from
home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as
did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is
paying the price for our freedom.
Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American
Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200
years. He has asked nothing in return, except our
friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for
he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
Please copy and send this on after a short prayer.
"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect
them as they protect us. Bless them and their families
for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of
need. Amen."
Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor,
Marine or Airman, prayer is the very best one.
(Please try to hug, or at least give a special smile to,
a soldier TODAY!)
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