esimpkins's blog: "National Guard Member Survives Crash"

1/2 Man - 1/2 Boy

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 <<ATT2585399.jpg>> . 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 a 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 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 than he should have in his short lifetime. <<ATT2585400.jpg>>

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 a <<ATT2585401.jpg>> nd 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
for our military... please don't break it.
Please send this on after a short
pr <<ATT2585402.jpg>> ayer.

Prayer
Wheel

'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..'

When you receive 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

There is nothing
attached...
This can be very
powerful...

Of all the gifts you
could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine, or Airman, prayer is the very best one.

I can't
break this one, sorry..
Pass it on to
everyone and pray.

If you see a soldier, thank him or her for serving our country. Show your support for our military by wearing RED on Fridays.

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