[Rhodes22-list] Soldier, Sairlor, Airman, Marine, Coastie

[ellner]

Well Said

Rod

At 08:05 PM 3/18/2003 -0600, you wrote:
>The average age of an American infantry soldier 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 155 mm 
>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-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.
>
>
>
>
>
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