Posted on 06/23/2004 11:11:39 AM PDT by SheLion
The average age of the military member is 19 years ....
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, 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 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 this shot.. A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.
This is a prayer wheel for our military... don't break it. 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 in our time of need. Amen."
Thanks for posting it. It looks great!
Thanks for sending it to me, CSM!!! :)
I'll probaly get flamed over this but I find the picture with the 2 women sleeping on one another somewhat erotic.
Stacked and packed.
Thanks to both of you for sharing it. With pride and pain in my heart for our military members and their families: God, please,protect our troops.
Thank you both.
bump !
They're so young. They're not much older than my daughter. I don't really think about how young they are until I see pictures like these. Thank you for posting them.
Welcome to FreeRepublic.com !
Prayer Ping for our service men and women
Welcome to Free Republic
Well there goes those funny leaky eyes again. Thanks for the post!
Dear Lord, they are so young.
May they stay safe, and may they do their jobs well.
Never trust those ammo clips, load every round individually. For that matter stick to the 20-round magazines when possible.
Ongoing prayers for those who serve our country.
Bump
God bless them, indeed. They ARE in my prayers!!
SheLion, are those pictures saved on YOUR server??? I'd like to email this to everyone I know but don't want the pics to disappear, somewhere down the road.
Prayers for all the fine dedicated young men and women in our military.
BTTT!!!!!!
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