If you
read this, you WILL forward it on. You won't be able to stop
yourself.
The
Military
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
jal opy, 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
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 a nd still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more sufferingand 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 send this on
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."
Prayer
: When
you receive this, please
stop for a moment and say
a prayer
for
our ground troops in
I
can't break this one, sorry
This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in