The average age of the military man or woman is 19 years old.
They are a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half adult, half child. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for their country.
They never really cared much for work and they would rather wax their own car than wash their father's; but they have never collected unemployment either.
They are recent High School graduates; they were probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities; drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, or wife, that either broke up with them when they left, or swears to be waiting when they return from half a world away.
They listen to rock and roll, hip-hop, rap, jazz, or swing, and 155mm Howitzers.
They are 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when they were at home because they are working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.
They have trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for them but they can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark.
They can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if they must.
They dig foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
They can march until they are told to stop or stop until they are told to march.
They obey orders instantly and without hesitation, but they are not without spirit or individual dignity.
They are self-sufficient. They have two sets of fatigues: they wash one and wear the other. They keep their canteens full and their feet dry.
They sometimes forget to brush their teeth, but never to clean their rifle.
They can cook their own meals, mend their own clothes, and fix their own hurts.
If you're thirsty, They will share their water with you; if you're hungry, their food.
They will even split their ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
They have learned to use their hands like weapons and weapons like they were their hands. They can save your life - or take it, because that is their job.
They will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. They have seen more suffering and death then they should have in their short lifetime.
They have stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.
They have wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and are unashamed.
They feel every note of the National Anthem vibrate through their body while standing at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around them 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, they defend their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did their Father, Mother, Grandfather, Grandmother, Great-grandfather, and Great-grandmother, they are paying the price for our freedom.
They are, THE AMERICAN SOLDIER, that have kept this country free for over 200 years.
They have asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember them, always, for they have earned our respect and admiration with their blood.
THEY ARE OUR SONS, OUR DAUGHTERS, OUR HUSBANDS, OUR WIVES, OUR BROTHERS, OUR SISTERS, OUR FRIENDS AND OUR PROTECTORS!
Treat them with utmost respect at all times whether during war times or just in everyday life.
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS! GOD BLESS AMERICA! GOD BLESS US ALL!
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