Our Troops - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

True Blue · 04-13-2004, 01:55 PM

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 sociey as half man, half boy.

Not yet dried 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 rar or jazz or swing and 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 sufficeient.

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 you 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 reate 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 a odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did he 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, asways, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have woman 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 shot...A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loves ones in their helmets.

"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."

This was sent to me when my son was in Iraq, just thought I would share it.

True Blue · 04-13-2004, 02:32 PM

I am so blessed to have him home. Thank you Lord.
Picture was taken in Bagdad.

Sorry I tried to post a picture here of my son in Iraq but from some reason it did not work. I guess I don't know what I am doing. LOL

2stop · 04-13-2004, 03:12 PM

BIG OLE GRATEFUL HUG FOR YOUR SON.....BLESS HIM.

Justme57 · 04-13-2004, 03:32 PM

Oh! Janet ! I am crying as I type , having read your first post . I remember your excitement when Josh was coming home . My heart bleeds for the mothers of all the troops over there , yours and ours , it could have been my son too, but he was out before this term of insanity .

Did you write the above ? it is absolutely beautiful! I am printing it out and keeping it . How is Josh these days ? I suppose he thinks often of his mates away , i know my son does , and would sign up again in a heartbeat if he could .

my prayers are with them all, janet

HUGX

lee

In memory of miracle · 04-30-2004, 06:54 PM

AMEN ...

prayers to the troops

04-13-2004, 01:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
True Blue Pray For Our Troops Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,138	Our Troops 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 sociey as half man, half boy. Not yet dried 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 rar or jazz or swing and 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 sufficeient. 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 you 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 reate 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 a odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as did he 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, asways, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. And now we even have woman 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 shot...A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loves ones in their helmets. "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." This was sent to me when my son was in Iraq, just thought I would share it. __________________ Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles." Samuel Smiles

04-13-2004, 02:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
True Blue Pray For Our Troops Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,138	Re: Our Troops I am so blessed to have him home. Thank you Lord. Picture was taken in Bagdad. Sorry I tried to post a picture here of my son in Iraq but from some reason it did not work. I guess I don't know what I am doing. LOL __________________ Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles." Samuel Smiles

04-13-2004, 03:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
2stop ~Author of My Life~ Join Date: May 2003 Location: Doing what I thought I couldn't.... Posts: 4,794	Re: Our Troops BIG OLE GRATEFUL HUG FOR YOUR SON.....BLESS HIM. __________________ Many Hugs and Hope too, Tammie "Think of all the beauty still left around you and BE HAPPY." ~Anne Frank~ "Things do not change, WE change." ~Henry David Thoreau~

04-13-2004, 03:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Justme57 Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Melbourne victoria Posts: 1,976 Blog Entries: 7	Re: Our Troops Oh! Janet ! I am crying as I type , having read your first post . I remember your excitement when Josh was coming home . My heart bleeds for the mothers of all the troops over there , yours and ours , it could have been my son too, but he was out before this term of insanity . Did you write the above ? it is absolutely beautiful! I am printing it out and keeping it . How is Josh these days ? I suppose he thinks often of his mates away , i know my son does , and would sign up again in a heartbeat if he could . my prayers are with them all, janet HUGX lee

04-30-2004, 06:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
In memory of miracle In Memory Of Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Connecticut. Posts: 3,738	Re: Our Troops AMEN ... prayers to the troops __________________ In Memory Of Teach only love...

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