Portraits of our very best - God love them!
(pictures of our heroes at the end)
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 & Roll, Country Hip-hop, Rap,
Jazz or Swing.... and also a 155mm howitzer!
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working and/or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, so 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; and also 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 applies 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 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 forgets 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 and 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.
But in an odd twist day in and day out, far from home,
he defends their right to be disrespectful! And just as his Father, Grandfather and Great-grandfather did,
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 women 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 all the photo below;
A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets:
When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say this prayer for our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air and for those in Iraq, Afghanistan and all foreign countries:
"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."
This can be very powerful..
Of all the gifts one can give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine or Airman...a prayer is the very best!
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