Memorial Day Half boy, half man.

Subject: Memorial Day-Half boy, half man


The next time you see some old guy all slouched over shuffling around the mall with a baseball cap that has all sorts of military symbols attached to it, just remember that:
Some 60 years ago he was probably a meaner bad-ass than you could ever dream of being.


OUR POLITICIANS NEED THIS AS A
MANDATORY READ



1/2 boy 1/2 man

If you read
This, you WILL forward it on.
You just won't
Be able to stop yourself

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, pop or jazz.
Or swing and a 155mm howitzer.

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 than he should have in his short
Lifetime.

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 women 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 . . ...

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.'

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 ,
Afghanistan and all foreign countries.

There is nothing attached....

This can be very powerful..

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coast guardsman,
Marine, or Airman, prayer is the very best one.