![]() |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
Average age of the military man is 19 years
** ** *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 howitzor. * *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 or Canadian 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 woman 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 Afghanistan, sailors on ships, * *and** airmen in the air, **and for those in Iraq. * ***There is nothing** attached.... * *This can be very powerful.......* *Of all** the gifts you could give a US and/or* *Canadian Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine or Airman, prayer is the very best one. * *** I can't break this one, sorry** This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in everywhere. * *Pass it on to everyone and pray. *
__________________
Alex Blair :remember :support :drunk: |
![]() |
|
|