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 re-wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never
collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School
graduate;
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 a 155mm
howitzer.
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 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.
And now we even have women over there in
danger,
doing their part in this tradition of
going to War when our nation calls us to do so.
As you go
to bed tonight,
remember this shot..
A short lull, a little shade
and a picture of loved ones in their
helmets
Prayer
wheel for our military... please don't break
it.
Please
email this to others, after a short prayer.
Prayer
Wheel
"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."
When you read this,
please
stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground
troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, sailors on ships,
and airmen in the air.
There
is nothing attached....
This can be very
powerful.......
Of
all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor,
Coastguardsman, Marine or Airman, prayer is the
very best one.
This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq.
Pass it on to everyone,
and PRAY!
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