The American Fighting Man

[airtwardo 7]

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!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[skydiverbrian 0]

Veteran's Day was last week, but better late than never.

In a world full of people, only some want to fly... isn't that crazy! --Seal

[RevJim 0]

Hear, Hear!

And the same goes for our fighting women!

It's your life, live it!
Karma
RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

[Tonto 1]

Sounds like just about every countries fighting man to me.

Been there, been that, but for another country.

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[airtwardo 7]

Quote

Veteran's Day was last week, but better late than never.

***
I know...
I got that emailed to this morning by an old
West Coast friend...
That buried his nephew Monday.
KIA

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[WrongWay 0]

Cheers, mate.

Wrong Way
D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451
The wiser wolf prevails.

[ACMESkydiver 0]

Sorry to hear about your friend's nephew. My baby brother is heading over to parts unknown. My hubby is a reservist on alert *again*. I am a veteran, but I'm not playing this time around. I got out in 1995. Soldiers are always in my heart.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[airtwardo 7]

Quote

My baby brother is heading over to parts unknown.

***
God Speed and a safe return for him.

My better 1/2 is an airline pilot for a major carrier...
She's currently flying 'MAC' flights.
(Military Airlift) charters,
(Had Gen. Tommy Franks on board Monday)

We've had some emotional conversations as
she relates to me her fear for those going over...
("They're so young")
and the pride she feels bringing them back
home... (an NCO kissed the Americam Flag on the cabin door last week...leaving Kuwait,
he said entering the plane,
"I'm back 'in' America!"

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[ScubaSteve 0]

That is a perfect description of my younger brother. He left for basic training two weeks after graduating High School. He didn't need the army with his grades and sports. It was his choice. He just finished Airborne School in Ft Benning on Saturday. He is waiting for his new orders and hopes to be home for a few weeks in late Nov - early Dec. When home he plans on making his "first" freefall jump at Skydive Chicago. I don't know who is more excited, me or him: ) After home he is off to hawaii attached to the 25ID.

I think between the two of us we shortened our mothers life quite significantly.

[Lee03 0]

Amen Brother!

Been there..done this too. Proud to have served! PROUD AS HELL for all the present members of the military that continue to do this.. THANKFUL AS HElL for those that went before us that ensured our freedom! As has been said..many times.. "Freedom isn't free!" God Bless them all!

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

--Nevil Shute, Slide Rule