Saturday, April 24, 2010

Todays Military Man. A Perspective

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 vehicle, 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'll listen to rock and roll or hip-hop, rap, or jazz even swing, a 155mm howitzer that is.
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 will march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.He will obey 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 than he should have in his short lifetime. 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. Now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.
Our female soldiers deserve the same respect as our men. They go through the same emotions that war can bring as our men do. Our female soldiers are just as brave and have the guts to do the job they signed up for. Never forget all of the men/women in the United States military. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine, or Airman, prayer is the very best one. I SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!! GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

7 comments:

  1. Maybe this should be the pre curser to the teleprompter speeches we are subjected to every day from bo....maybe this should be read on the house floor every day..so our employees get a feel for where their freedom to piliage our country comes from. Maybe the arrogant snots on television that report the news could read it before passing judgements on our beloved navy seals maybe then we will have our country back the way it was inttended....maybe if we all try harder we can make this congress and the greedy bastards hear us..maybe be respectful of the oath they took.. not the money they want to enrich themselves with.Maybe then the kids that protect us and care for our constitution will not only feel our love and prayer but......know that the people that sent them to these hell holes, are really praying for them in earnest!"Maybe" shouldnt be used this much. It is my wish, for all these things to be as solid in our governments hearts as their love for their bank accounts.Government has lost its way..but our troops keep our personal trust intact..if it wasnt for them we all would have lost faith a long time ago!

    Thanks for sharing this with me .. it was beautifully written and beautifully accepted .. God bless our troops

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  2. HooRah! Men & women who deserve our respect and loyalty!

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  3. Excellent post! Thanks for sharing it with whoever will read it. I'm glad I took the time to do so. :) Thanks to all our fighting men and women!

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  4. Nice. I forget the exact quote but it essentially states that the ideal elected official should have to be dragged kicking and screaming into office. Unfortunately the vast majority of those who run for office do so because they are hungry for money, power, or attention. Very few of them know what "normal" American life is like, much less the life of those who stand willing to die for the rest of us.

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  5. 1/28 Black Lions 1st ID~ Thank you for your service.

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  6. Yes" i second that from Anonymous.. Thank you for your service, 1/28 Black Lions 1st ID~

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  7. From @LPARA on Twitter--Thank you for sharing this poignant and perfect portrayal of our troops. Brought tears to my eyes and will help me to be even more vigilant in my prayers for them. I am SO GRATEFUL for our troops AND their families. May God bless them, keep them, make His face shine on them AND build a hedge around them to keep them safe.

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