> You just won't be able to stop yourself
>
> 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 a
> 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 than he should have in his short
> lifetime.
>
> 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.
>
> 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.'
>
> 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 , Afghanistan and all foreign countries.
>
> 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.
>
> I can't break this one, sorry. Pass it on to everyone and pray.
>
> -- In GOD We Trust
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