In Appreciation to Our Military

Email | July 25, 2006 | GretchenM

[GretchenM]

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 may have trouble spelling, thus letter writing can be 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 have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to war when our nation calls us to do so.

Remember this shot ... a short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.

[GretchenM]

Words fail me of how to thank those who now serve, and have served, to make America a nation and keep her strong.

[Libloather]

Wow...

[jazusamo]

BTTT!

God Bless our troops.

[GretchenM]

It choked me up -- I don't usually post Emails but this one got me. Especially this:

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.

[GretchenM]

=)

[GretchenM]

fyi

[GretchenM]

[npg]

The true heros of our day.

I don't like when politicians call them "Kids"

Those are men and women over there, the bravest we have.

[pissant]

Great posting, Gretchen. These MEN should be legal to buy beer in all 50 states.

[GretchenM]

Welcome to FreeRepublic.

[Libloather]

Just as did his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom.

Everyone does it for a reason. While my son was in Army boot camp, the drill instructor mentioned to the group that it didn't matter what their own personal reason happened to be. The DI thanked them all for being there - and then moved on...

[Hazcat]

Had to add the proper keyword for this, HEROES.

[RandyGH]

A tribute worthy of the subject. Thank you!

[GretchenM]

Thanks - much needed addition.

[Just A Nobody]

Thank you for the ping Jaz! What a moving thread seeing what our MEN and WOMEN endure. God bless them all!

[Just A Nobody]

I don't like when politicians call them "Kids"
Those are men and women over there, the bravest we have.

I agree! Welcome to FR.

[Just A Nobody]

I thought that became the law during the VN war and also lowered the voting age to 18.

[GretchenM]

fyi

[pissant]

Liddy Dole, the cursed busy body, threatened to withold highway funds to the states unless they all raised the drinking age to 21. Stupid RINO. Reagan should have put the kabash on that.

[Just A Nobody]

Liddy Dole!

threatened to withold highway funds

The same way she FORCED the seat belt laws.

[npg]

Thank you, delighted to be amongst friends.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

And now a word from our REAL Sponsors of Free Speech

The Men and Women who serve,
and have served, our country
are the ones who make sure that
the Politicans and Judges are free to do their job.

We would not have a US Supreme Court
without the protection of the Military.

Politicans and Judges are safe
because of the Military who protect them.

TEST : Call your Senator or Congressman's office
AFTER 5 PM, or on the weekend.
IF you speak to an actual person, ask who's in charge today?

Now look up the phone number
of your local military base.
Call that number 24/7
and ask the live voice you get
to speak with the person in charge.

Send a Thank You while you enjoy your Freedom also.


You will stay right where you are on the thread.
Please take a moment and Thank a Service Man or Woman.
Just Click on the graphic to send an e-mail.

[pissant]

She does NOTHING for me.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Great, and so true. And so true for whenever the need was there. Our country has been blessed by so many young people who have answered the call.

[Just A Nobody]

She raises my blood pressure 50 points upon hearing her name!

[TASMANIANRED]

Nice tribute.

God bless them.

May their profile be slim and their aim sure.

[Jemian]

What a tribute. Thank you.

[Ciexyz]

Can our service people who are under age 21 get a beer from the beer machine at their company HQ or base rec room?

[lysie]

Bless them all.

Thanks for a wonderful post.

[wequalswinner]

The latest addition: Pvt. Joshua D. Lett Graduate from MCRD San Diego July 14, 2006 2nd Battalion Echo Company Platoon 2093 Thanx for the indulgence of my pride! Proud Marine mon

[GretchenM]

Thank you, Tonk, for that post.

[mystery-ak]

Thanks for the ping....sigh!

[mystery-ak]

[mystery-ak]

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

The Words:

http://www.Freerepublic.com/~ALOHARONNIE



The Thread:

http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1085111/posts

.

[RebekahT]

BTTT

And a big "thank you" to all our troops and veterans!

[goodnesswins]

WOW....that was GREAT!

[Alamo-Girl]

Buuump!

[MozartLover]

Congratulations, proud Marine mom!

Here's mine:

(proud Army mom.:)

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[wequalswinner]

Thanks. And especially thank-you for your son!

I must admit my nerves are gonna be pretty edgy from here out. But I need to remember that it's really not how long a person lives that matters. It's how well you lived and what you did with your precious little time.