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 probablyan 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 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 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 than he should have in his short
lifetime.
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 Anthems 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.
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.
A Prayer wheel for our military...
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 receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our
troops in Afghanistan , sailors on ships, and airmen in the air, and for those
in Iraq , Afghanistan and all foreign countries.
This can be very powerful...
Of all the gifts you could give an American Airman, Soldier, Coastguardsman,
Marine, or Sailor, prayer is the very best one.
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