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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 howizzitor. 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. 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 Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine
> or Airman, prayer is the very best one.
>
> I can't break this one guys..sorry
> This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq. Pass it on to everyone and
pray.
>
>
>
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