TinkHappy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2000
I thought I would pass this on inlight of what is going on right now.
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.
(Embedded image moved to file: pic17035.jpg) 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.
[
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.
(Embedded image moved to file: pic17035.jpg) 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.
[
