Sorry, Skye...I had to Post This...

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
Howitzers.

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.

Damn right....

You should not apologize for this, Tony. THis is quite moving, quite striking...these"grunts" should never be made to feel like less than a person...they are the people, who , for one reason or another, are our protection. They deserve and need our support, no matter our agreement or disagreement with our leaders. To they who never sleep deserve our hghest honor, knowing that we sleep safe because of their everlasting vigilance.

<http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,82432,00.html>

Nothin' to be sorry about.

Well??? Does that match Jessica Lynch??

Tony,

I agree with you 100% on all that you said. Last year when my father die, we request a military burial. He had served in WWII and was in the Tennessee National Guard for 30 years and retired a Major.

Because of his rank or the friends he had in the Guard, 2 soldiers from 101st were dispatched from Clarksville, Tn to present the flag to my Mother. I watched those 2 men as they stood at attention while tabs was being played, and I don't who I was more proud of my father for his Service or those 2 men for what they stood for.

They fit the mold of what a soldier should be Strong, Proud, Brave, it just made you feel good being around them.

I will pray for those men safe return, as well as those who are putting it all on the line for us. There are 4 people that I know who are currently over there or in the process of heading heading to way. And most of them are not that young.

My cousin is Marine Gunny Sgt. working with Special Ops. (On the Kitty Hawk, I think) My uncle have talked to him a couple of times since it all started. He was in the group that rescued Scott Grady several years back. We saw him on the news clips getting off the Helo with Grady.
And I thought he had a mistake dropping out of college when he was
on a full ride to play baseball. Boy was I wrong.

My neighbor is a Lt. Col. in the Marine Reserve, his Recon groups was called up the day the shooting starting. He knew that he was going, just waiting for the call. He stopped by before he left to make sure we keep and eye on his family.

2 of the engineers I work with have been gone since Christmas, a Captain and a Flight Officer on C5 transport planes. (Air Guard) Who know where they have been. But I can guess.

I buy them all a beer when they get home and thank them for a job well done.

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Hear hearTony. having been inthe Oz Miltary(Airforce)it is nice to see that here most people give the military the respect and honor that they and there predecesors have earnt. Sad to say it doesnt seem to happen much in Australia.

Being ex military myself and having a career Air Force son who served in Operation Just Cause, Panama, and Desert Storm You know how I feel. His present duties will keep him out of the present action, but he was ready to go. Some are wearing flags to support the troops, I'm wearing my old dog tags right out front.

Great write-up. the truth.