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The Average Military Man
E-Mail | 3/31/03 | E-Mail

Posted on 03/30/2003 9:22:36 PM PST by brityank

(The Average Military 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 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.





For our Military: "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."



God Bless the USA
and all those that serve her.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: asoldier

1 posted on 03/30/2003 9:22:36 PM PST by brityank
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To: AntiJen; SAMWolf; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
For our troops.
(I know; they're closer to 22.)
2 posted on 03/30/2003 9:28:44 PM PST by brityank (The more I learn about the Constitution, the more I realise this Government is UNconstitutional.)
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To: brityank
Bump.
3 posted on 03/30/2003 9:29:50 PM PST by SAMWolf (Embarrassed to be an American? Let me help you move to France.)
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To: brityank; All
.."GOD BLESS AMERICA"..

...and the U.S. 7th Cavalry...

...at the OSCARS =

http://www.tripflicks.com/pro/


Signed:..ALOHA RONNIE Guyer / Yellow Jacket Vet-U.S. 7th Cavalry's Opening Days of the Vietnam War 1965-66 http://www.LZXRAY.com
4 posted on 03/30/2003 9:31:55 PM PST by ALOHA RONNIE (Vet-Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.LZXRAY.com ..,)
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To: brityank
I saw that today too! I thought about posting it...and I lost it (victim of grouped spam mail delete). Thanks for posting it here. I will copy it to save!
5 posted on 03/30/2003 9:35:14 PM PST by Calpernia (http://www.politicsandprotest.org/attack.swf)
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To: brityank
NEVER FORGET


Our Heroic U.S. 7th Cavalry's Opening Days of the Vietnam War =

http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=629


NEVER FORGET
6 posted on 03/30/2003 9:35:44 PM PST by ALOHA RONNIE (Vet-Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.LZXRAY.com ..,)
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To: brityank; All
...MICHAEL MOORE =

...HILLARY RODHAM in Time of War.


.."IS it SAFE?" = HILLARY on Armed Services Committee..

http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=629
7 posted on 03/30/2003 9:39:32 PM PST by ALOHA RONNIE (Vet-Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.LZXRAY.com ..,)
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To: brityank; All
...Oop's...

...7th Cav in Vietnam =


'RONNIE GUYER PHOTO COLLECTION'

http://www.LZXRAY.com/guyer_collection.htm
8 posted on 03/30/2003 9:45:03 PM PST by ALOHA RONNIE (Vet-Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.LZXRAY.com ..,)
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To: ohioWfan; Snowtrill
ping
9 posted on 03/30/2003 9:58:26 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (I'm just a cook.)
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To: brityank
This is great! Thanks for the ping.
10 posted on 03/30/2003 10:15:03 PM PST by Jen (Support our Troops * Stand up to Terrorists * Liberate Iraq)
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