The US Military Man
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 Howitzers.
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.
Prayer:
"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
Iraq,
Afghanistan,
sailors on ships, and airmen in the
air.
