Guest Guest Posted March 21, 2003 Share Posted March 21, 2003 Soldier > > > > The average age of an American infantry soldier 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 > Howitzers. > > 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-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. Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted March 21, 2003 Share Posted March 21, 2003 Thank you, Kelly... What a tender reminder. Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted March 21, 2003 Share Posted March 21, 2003 Wow, Kelly, it made me cry! Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment
Dee Posted March 21, 2003 Share Posted March 21, 2003 Kelly your post hits close to home this am/pm. Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted March 21, 2003 Share Posted March 21, 2003 Kelly, did you write that? It's beautiful! I printed a copy for my Dad's Memorial book. Thanks. Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted March 21, 2003 Share Posted March 21, 2003 My sister sent this to me. It made me cry also. I just wanted to share it with everyone. Quote Link to comment
mrszouave Posted March 22, 2003 Share Posted March 22, 2003 That was beautiful Kelly..... Quote Link to comment
logcabinmama Posted March 22, 2003 Share Posted March 22, 2003 Thank you for sharing this with us. Quote Link to comment
Goose Liver Posted March 22, 2003 Share Posted March 22, 2003 Thank you for sharing Kelly, makes me want to cry. Quote Link to comment
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