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.
__________________
Member of the 2006 Bowhunting Contest, the Autumn Assassins
the average soldier
