posted March 23, 2003 06:10 PM            

Agree or not with the "war". They risk their lives for us. Pray for them.

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 seen death and the dieing and know the horror of war better than anyone.
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.

We should appreciate these people that give so much selflessly asking little in return.

After you think about it for a minute, I hope you'll say a prayer for these people that put so much on the line to keep this country safe and free.

"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."

There's a reason their called "Servicemen".

So please stop a minute and say a prayer for these brave people who protect and serve.

This email obviously originated in America but being English myself I would also include our English Forces who are also giving currently their lives

posted March 23, 2003 06:20 PM            

Please visit the Department of Defense web page below and sign in thanking the men and women of the U.S. military services for defending our freedom. The compiled list of names will be sent out to our soldiers at the end of the month. So far, there are only about 6 million names. What a shame...... National Military Appreciation Month. The entire exercise takes 10 seconds...literally.
Please pass it on to your email friends.
http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html

posted March 23, 2003 06:27 PM            

There are 5 ways that people communicate....AND before you question that...It is a FACT.....

1. Deflect/Distract
2. Placate/Be Nice
3. Attack/Blame
4. Rationalise/Generalise
5. Leveling/Straight Talk.

I'm sure you recognise no 3 and also no 1
Sue

posted March 23, 2003 07:09 PM            

I'll post this link for you - I see you posted on it but possibly didn't remember it? http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/000058.html

posted March 23, 2003 10:13 PM              

He is willing to die for YOU. He is willing to die so that you, and your children can live a safe and happy life.

Now I want peace so that the love of my life doesn't have to die so that people like you can disrespect his national pride.

I don't mind the article posted, thats fine but please, please do not stick a knife in my heart and call the people I love and respect a trained killer.
http://users.bigpond.com/gravedigga1/allyws/friends/IMAG0003.JPG

posted March 23, 2003 10:30 PM              

Don't forget they are out fighting to stop our forests and houses from blazing bushfires or helping the public at huge public sporting or entertainment events. It might be helping a town cope with any natural disaster, floods, earthquake. They are alsways there to lend a hand to the public without question, what do you do?

posted March 23, 2003 10:53 PM              

Jakie

posted March 23, 2003 11:24 PM              

Though we may not all agree on whether they should be fighting this war or not, they are, so lets respect them for doing what they believe is right... whether or not we agree with it.