Maybe this will help some understand.

[dgskydive 0]

A lot of debates in the last few weeks about the military and soldiers. How they should act, what is funny and what is just wrong. This may help some to understand a US Soldier. It even helped to remind me of a few things I had forgotten.

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 howizzitor. 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.



It brings a tear to my eye when I read it. Memories!

Dom

[tunaplanet 0]

Clicky

Forty-two

[Conundrum 1]

That is really touching and it makes me think of my cousin who serves in the Military.

Prayers too all who have fought for this country and and our freedom; we all, thank you.

[dgskydive 0]

The pics add a bit to it don't they?

Dom

[tunaplanet 0]

That has been all over the internet for a while now. There's about a dozen different sites that have that same message.

Forty-two

[mjosparky 4]

Thanks Dom. Sometimes we need a good kick in the ass to remember these kids and those of you who used to be these kids.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[DALAILAMA 0]

True!
Fighting for the freedom some people enjoy so much and yet still take for granted is a thankless job. No thanks is ever asked for even when most young military men could qualify for welfare. It is nice however to have just one person every now and then say "I appreciate what you do"!

"Dropzone.com, where uneducated people measuring penises, has become an art form"

[dgskydive 0]

And those kids that used to be Firemen! I remeber those guys saved a bunch of lives a few years back and lost of few of there own along the way. Thanks to you and yours as well. True unsung heros!

Dom

[dgskydive 0]

Quote

No thanks is ever asked for even when most young military men could qualify for welfare.

Ain't that the truth. I can remember as a kid when my Dad was in the Army, having to go stand in line to get free Christmas presents! If not for the careing of others he wouldn't have been able to buy us presents! That is pretty sad when you think about it. He was in the Army (for the second time no less) served in Vietnam and had to not only get us free gifts but we where on food stamps as well! It still blows my mind. Thank God things where a bit better when I served. But it is still pretty pathetic.

Dom

[dgskydive 0]

I didn't know you had a cousin in the military. Tell him I said to keep his f---ing head down and come home safe.

M U A H!!!!!!

Dom

[Lee03 0]

This pretty much says it all. I've seen it before, but think it should be posted everywhere. How quickly the public forgets. Thanks for posting it!

--------
To put your life in danger from time to time ... breeds a saneness in dealing with day-to-day trivialities.

--Nevil Shute, Slide Rule

[Conundrum 1]

Yeah, he's been in the Marines for almost 4 years now. He was already over-seas for some time... now he's supposed to go back again in August.

[kallend 2,101]

My son is a sergeant in the US Army (2nd Inf). He can spell very well and likes classical music.

Stereotypes!

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[jumpinjackflash 0]

Thanks, big.


For those of us who do understand, it helps to reaffirm.



peace,


Jack

It's a gas, gas, gas...

[damion75 0]

Quote

Yeah, he's been in the Marines for almost 4 years now. He was already over-seas for some time... now he's supposed to go back again in August.

Dont worry too much lass - its not that bad over here (assuming he is coming to join us in Iraq)

***************

Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

My son is a sergeant in the US Army (2nd Inf). He can spell very well and likes classical music.

Stereotypes!

"average" soldier was that list - So in some categories your son is not in the first sigma or two. Neither is his dad and we are all the better for the talents of both.

Be sure to thank him for us for his service. I bet you are proud.

Edit: I'm also thinking that list is quite out dated, but I wouldn't know.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants