THE CHILDREN WHO PROTECT
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 howizzitor. 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. And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when
our nation calls us to do so. As you go to bed tonight, remember this
shot.. A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in
their helmets.
Prayer Wheel
"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as
theyprotect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts
they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."
Prayer : When you read this, please stop for a moment and say a
prayer for our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and
airmen in the air, and for those in Iraq. This can be very powerful.......
Of all the gifts you could give a U.S. Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman,
Marine or Airman..........PRAYER is the very best one.
