this is the life of a solder
You stay up for 16 hours
He stays up for days on end.
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You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.
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You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.
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You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.
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You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
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You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
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You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
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You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
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You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He doesn't get to eat today.
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Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
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You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
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You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes ove r.
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
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You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
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You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
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You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.
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You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.
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You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.
He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.
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You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the broken bodies lying around him.
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You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.
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You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.
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You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.
He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.
