Who Are Our Soldiers?

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 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 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.

He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."

And this is what one of our own, a young Marine, is thinking....

This letter is posted on NBC channel 5's new's website. They were talking about
it the other night, on the news, and I think it's really moving. I wish
everyone would read this......................

"I was born and raised in the city of Chicago. I graduated from Lane Tech High
High School in 1999. I lived on Racine Avenue and Taylor Street until April of
2000 when my parents, my siblings and I moved to 2400 Silvercreek Drive (I am
the oldest of four).

However strange it may sound, I do not know my neighbors or anyone in my
neighborhood. Why, you might ask? A few months later -- July 25, 2000 --
shipped out to Marine Corps boot camp.
Since I've been in the Marine Corps, I have only been able to go home for
about one week at a time. Once, I was only given 24 hours to go home for my
little brother's 8th grade graduation. It might have only been 24 hours, but it
was worth it. From March 10, 2001 to March 25, 2002 I was in Okinawa, Japan. I
was with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU). It was hard being away
from my family and friends. But it was worse when did get to come home, for it
was for a funeral. My girlfriend had passed away. I wish I could have called
her my fiancee, but I never got a chance to ask her to marry me. I was waiting
to come home to ask her.

Right after, I was ordered to report to the 1st Force Service Support Group 1st
FSSG) in Camp Pendleton, California. From April 2002 to January 2003, I was in
Camp Pendleton preparing for our deployment. In late January 2003, my unit and I
were finally in Kuwait. Now that a lot of Marines are out here helping to
liberate Iraq, we are hearing of many antiwar protests across the country. Just
a few moments ago, I heard of one in downtown Chicago.
I understand a lot of Americans do not wish for war but unfortunately, it is
needed. For instance, at first Saddam had stated that he did not have any
missiles of mass destruction. But yet, for the past several nights, I have not
gotten get much sleep because of missiles being launched at us -- some which
contained unknown gases and chemicals. We were fortunate to have practiced our
drills over and over that we all made it safely to our bomb shelters in time.
Now we (the U.S. troops) need our fellow American's support behind us.
We are all out here giving our lives for you all, so that you all may enjoy this
great freedom that most take for granted. If you search deep down inside and
still wish to protest, please do so, but do so peacefully.

I once read, "It is the Marine, not the reporter, that gives us the freedom of
the press. It is the Marine, not the poet, that gives us the freedom of speech.
It is the Marine who defends the protesters' right to burn the Flag. It is the
Marine who salutes the Flag, who serves under the Flags, and whose coffin is
covered by the Flag."

Is it not now time to demonstrate that we support our troops? Were it not for
the brave, there would be no land of the free.

Just a few days ago, we had our first fallen American, a Marine. I pray we
all come home safely. But I know that if I have to, I will give my life for this
country and all it stands, and so will all the Marines that are out here with
me. I also pray that we all return home soon, whether it is to San Diego, St.
Louis, New York City, Franklin Park, Chicago or any other great city or town
across the country.

But I am prepared to be here as long as I have to. My Staff Sergeant, Staff
Sergeant Godfrey G. Marille who is also out here -- his wife just had a
beautiful baby girl. He has yet to see her, but I bet he can't wait to finally
hold her in his arms.

I know most of us won't be coming home to a hero's welcome. Nor are we asking
for one. We don't consider ourselves heroes. We are only doing what is our duty
to our country.

If I am fortunate to return to United States alive, once I am able to go home, I
will try my best to get to know my neighbors and as much of my neighborhood as I
can. Especially because I have seen a few who fly the Marine Corps Flag high
and proud over their homes. And to them, I would like to say thank you."

Semper Fi,

Lance Corporal Gomez, Daniel
The World's Finest
United States Marine Corps

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