redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted August 13, 2003 10:04 AM
 Edited By: redelk on 13 Aug 2003 11:28
I got this e-mail and I wept. Then I prayed.
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, 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 woman 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.
Prayer wheel for our military... please don't break it. Please 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 for us in our time of need. Amen."
Prayer : When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air, and for those in Iraq. There is nothing attached.... This can be very powerful....... Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine or Airman, prayer is the very best one.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
   
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k bryant
Needs a job
Sponsor
Posts: 2911
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posted August 13, 2003 10:24 AM
Amen brother.
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GOZR
Zone Head
GOZR
Posts: 716
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posted August 13, 2003 12:03 PM
I support them..
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-G
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted August 13, 2003 01:53 PM
I am speachless ! ! ! !
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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kawachan
Pro
Posts: 1031
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posted August 13, 2003 02:03 PM
I heard dat!!
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RED NINJAS RULE!!
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jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
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posted August 13, 2003 02:07 PM
Good post.
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Outlaw1
Zone Head
Posts: 803
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posted August 14, 2003 07:15 AM
Lets end it, Lets blow our wad on Iraq and show those dirty bastards not to Fook with the Death Machine.
One nuke droped in the right location and shown on there TV and they will be talking like little school girls at there frist dance.
Blow the wad on IRAQ NOW.
One more American comming home in a flag draped coffin is too much. End it now.
USN Veteran
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Outlaw1
Zone Head
Posts: 803
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posted August 14, 2003 07:17 AM
Very touching post .
But we need action not sympathy
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted August 14, 2003 09:46 AM
Edited By: redelk on 15 Aug 2003 06:07
Outlaw, I think most of us here would like nothing more then to turn the whole Middle East into the world's largest glass coffee table, but we also know that it ain't gonna happen either.
The whinning politicians, but here and globally have successfully tied our hands a long time ago. By the time we shed the UN, tree hugging peacenik chains that bind this country's military, my grand daughter will probably be old enough to serve (she's 5 now).
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted August 14, 2003 01:06 PM
Good post, There are very good people in the Middle east! Remember one of them risked his and his families life and walked miles to let someone know where Jessica was! he could have been Killed by either side!
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Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
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jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
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posted August 14, 2003 01:49 PM
Kill 'em for Jessica! KILL!!!
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deathpulse
Pro
Posts: 1688
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posted August 14, 2003 08:28 PM
Great Post  - GO GET EM AMERICAN TROOPS WE ARE ALL BEHIND YOU!
Then, come home safe, sound, alive and healthy!!
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DaCourtJester
Parking Attendant
Posts: 28
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posted August 14, 2003 11:55 PM
Edited By: DaCourtJester on 15 Aug 2003 02:07
GREAT POST, If you find more send em on in. The middle east is a waste land yes, but as VincentHill said there are good folks there, though they should have gotten out by now, they haven't because that is there home. I wanted to be a Marine, but at this present time am not able to. But for always and forever whether or not i become a Marine they will always be my brothers and sisters for i feel the exact same thing when that flag is raised and the Anthem plays, i feel the exact same want to defend this country of ours and if given the chance would leave in a second, without thought or hesitation. Keep the faith and never let the enemy know you are scared.
SEMPER FI.
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Megabyte
Pro
Posts: 1047
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posted August 15, 2003 09:47 AM
I had to stop reading to clear my eyes. There seems to be two Americas. One side believes in God, Country, Corp, etc. the other vehemently attacks, hates and disrespects God, Country & Corp. Forgive my pun, but this insanity nearly drives me nuts. There is no reasoning with it, the hate & blame America first crowd lie, spin the truth, & do whatever it takes to make the real Americans look bad. They secretly hope soldiers keep dying and pray we never find WMD just so Bush will look bad. I've had it....I understand the desire to turn the Middle East into a glass factory, but think we should start with their so called Holy places first, and make sure the terrorist realize they are responsible for the destruction of their churches, etc. From what I understand of their religion, they would see this an unforgiveable sin that would keep them from enjoying the 70 virigins or whatever.....
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We First make our habits and then our habits make us.
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