The Military Man

[HARDCORE]

Subject: Fwd: The Military Man
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2003 2041 +0000


Love
Mrs Hardcore
____________________________________
>The attachment is equally applicable to our fine military women as well.

>The Military "Man" (equally applicable to our military women too)

> 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 has never really cared much for work and would rather wax his own car than wash his fathers; but he has never collected unemployment either.

> He is a recent high school graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old car, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting for him 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 to 15 pounds lighter than he was when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn until well after dark.

> He has trouble spelling and thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds in the dark and reassemble it in less time.

> He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or a grenade launcher and use either of them effectively if he must.

> He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

> He can march until told to stop and stop until told to march.

> He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, yet he is not without spirit or individual dignity.

> He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues; he wears one and washes the other. He keeps his canteen full and his feet dry. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

> He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle.

> If you're thirsty he'll share his water; if hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of a battle when you run low.

> He has learned to use his hands as weapons, and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it - because that is his job.

> He will do twice the work of a civilian but draw less than 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. He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and has 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 throughout his body as he stands at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to "square away" those around him who haven't bothered to stand, or take off their hats, 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 "just a boy". He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

> He has asked for nothing in return except our friendship and understanding.

> Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect with his blood.

> PRAYER WHEEL FOR THE MILITARY:

> Lord, hold out troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us. Amen.

> When you receive this please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground troops, sailors on ships, and airmen in the skies, and then send this on. Of all the gifts you could give a U.S. Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman, prayer is the very best one.