Subject: The
Military
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 woman 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 prayer.
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."
Prayer : 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
guys..sorry
This is a ribbon for soldiers
fighting in Iraq. Pass it on to everyone and
pray.