Pride

Unknown | Unknown | Unknown

[sean327]

PRIDE

The average age of the Infantryman 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 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 fighting holes 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

[sean327]

Enough said. Semper Fi.

[RoughDobermann]

Anyone else notice that if your reverse each point mentioned about our fighting men, you come up with a perfect description of those human shield idiots?

[Uncle Miltie]

I know some of these great young men. They know right from wrong without thinking about it too hard.

G-d help me, I wish I could trade places with them. Baring that, I will support them to the ends of the earth.

[Dan from Michigan]

Although half of the human shield idiots are also the same age as my parents.

[JeeperFreeper]

Thank you.

[w_over_w]

Prayers and intercession for these great warriors . . . God's mighty hedge of protection around them as they cut off the fingers of Lucifer around the world and gear-up to disembowel one of the serpents lieutenants. Kill 'em all.

[Protagoras]

not old enough to buy a beer, But old enough to die for his country.

The solution to this problem was never to lower the drinking age. It was to exempt anyone in the armed forces from such regulations. You defend your country, you can drink.

[fnord]

... and he might sometimes wonder why he is doing what he does, but he knows he wouldn't trade this way of life for anything.

Semper Fi

[eastsider]

You defend your country, you can drink.

Bump.

[buffyt]

Sounds like my almost 19 year old half-boy half-man tight-muscled son who is a recent HS grad. He thought about going into military, and still might do that later. He wasn't quite ready yet, but it is still in his thoughts. My future son-in-law is in Navy training right now, has had all his shots, is good to go when called. Knows he will be gone a year when he heads to Iraq. I was just telling my sister that I was engaged to a guy during VN who was very depressed about being there, and so was his entire batallion. They actually ground up aspirin and smoked it, knowing it killed brain cells. They were so depressed. They knew what was going on here in US on the college campuses. Most of his group had not made good enough grades to avoid the draft, lost student deferrment, and headed straight to VN. They knew about the protests. They knew they were looked down upon. They were in the middle of fire. That is why I am in full support of our troops. I was in full support of our troops in Desert Storm, too. If my military is sent into harm's way in my name, I support them. I expect parades for them when they return this time!

[ricpic]

This is pretty much the profile of the troops that have done the actual fighting in just about every nation's army down through the ages.

[CholeraJoe]

Thanks. Great post. I used to be one of these men. I'm now thicker around the middle and bald but the fire still burns inside.

[MattinNJ]

My biggest regret is not serving. Thank you to all those that did.

[homeagain balkansvet]

Thank you. From us all.

[b4its2late]

BTTT