Hello List,
I've read everyone's posts regarding what should
be discussed on this list and what shouldn't. Since this is the USA,
everyone has a right to their opinion. With that said, please read the
following and please don't ever forget...
THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MAN
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 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 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 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.
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Title: Message
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