God Bless Our Troops
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 howitzer.
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, Grand father, 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 women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to war when our nation calls us to do so.
God Bless Our Troops!
Author Unknown
Sure is a wonderful writing, yorkie. It would be nice
if the author was known, wouldn’t it? None of us can
imagine what it would be like to be in their places.
They are truly heroes and I’m proud and love each and
every one of them.
This sounds like a speech Oliver North shared at a 9/11 program in our town a few years ago.
Hi yorkie. We got home from Sacramento around 3:30 this afternoon. First item on my agenda was to take a nice long hot shower followed by a shave which I needed.
I'm pretty sore in my back and abdomen but it's going to be so nice sleeping in our bed. Hospital beds are sooooo uncomfortable plus my room was always cold.
Watched the NASCAR race yesterday from Bristol, Tennessee. After the race the tv's in the hospital quit working and didn't come back on line until late this morning. I rarely watch daytime television so I played with my i-phone. Didn't take my laptop to the hospital - no place to plug it in in the room.
After we left the hospital armed with meds, dressings, etc., a bouquet of flowers was delivered from one of our neices.
y'all are now up to date... Thank you for the continuing prayers.
Great post yorkie..God bless those who work to keep us safe.