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Topic: Average Military Person (Read 433 times) |
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ShariRae
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Average Military Person
« on: Mar 29th, 2003, 1:25pm » |
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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, bu the 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 support, friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
I did not post this to piss anyone off (as been known to happen here) Just somethin to think about next time someone is quick to call soldiers some foul, filthy name (as they have fought for the right for you to do so)
ShariRae
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Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
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2late
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #1 on: Mar 29th, 2003, 1:27pm » |
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awesome post! ............Jack
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jonny
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #2 on: Mar 29th, 2003, 1:30pm » |
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TOUCHE'
...............................jonny
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nancyc
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #3 on: Mar 29th, 2003, 1:55pm » |
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Amen, sister...he is also 23 with an 11 month old child and a wife at home.....thanks for the post..smiles,nancyc
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catlind
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #4 on: Mar 29th, 2003, 2:29pm » |
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He is also poorly paid, under appreciated, over worked, and has integrity and honor above average.
Cat
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Charlie
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #5 on: Mar 30th, 2003, 11:47pm » |
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Very nice posts and I definitely agree with Cat. We make it doubly hard to make a career out of the service.
Charlie
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There is nothing more satisfying than being shot at without result---Winston Churchill
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BobG
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #6 on: Mar 31st, 2003, 4:40am » |
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About what Cat said..............military pay
If your toilet clogs you call a plumber, if it's Monday thru early Friday, and pay him $70 an hour to fix it. If it's Saturday or Sunday it'll cost you $140 an hour.
If you have a war you call your soldier and pay him 65 cents an hour. He works 24 hours a day and never gets over time.
Wars are cheaper than shit.
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TomM
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #7 on: Mar 31st, 2003, 12:08pm » |
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And...
He is somebody's brother or uncle or father or son or husband or friend....he is an American Serviceman.
She is somebody's sister or aunt or mother or daughter or wife or friend...she is an American Servicewoman.
TomM 
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loretta
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #8 on: Mar 31st, 2003, 8:02pm » |
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Outstanding post! Brought tears to my eyes....
Laurie
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tanner
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #9 on: Mar 31st, 2003, 8:33pm » |
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thanks for that shariRae, and in this war he or she is also someone who chose to be a soldier, and not just because they couldn't think of something else to do with their lives...........
i'm proud of them all, and they are head and shoulders above the "average" citizens that have been spouting off about all that is wrong with our system of government and our military.
tim
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Ree
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #10 on: Mar 31st, 2003, 11:29pm » |
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YOOOOOOOOOOOO hooooooooooooo SEAN... has anyone seen my son Sean... SEAN I've come out here to help out... maybe pour your milk like I used to...
INCOMING!!!!!!!
NEVER MIND... JUST ME BEIN SILLY.... MISS YA SEAN
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don
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #11 on: Apr 1st, 2003, 12:00am » |
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Out Standing!
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Azrael
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #12 on: Apr 1st, 2003, 12:26am » |
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Amazing post. Thank you for sharing it.
PFDAN............................... Drk^Angel
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michaelc
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #13 on: Apr 1st, 2003, 4:09am » |
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I thought it was a great post too ... people forget that military is Service which is a great sacrifice. Although i'm hesitant to even respond for fear of Enraging someone with my 'pomposity', lol.
But as i have said throughout my posts, i know plenty of military people and have a few in the family & and fully support the safe return of our troops.
I honestly dont understand all this talk about calling soldiers bad names and such. Really - it's kind of "out there" to me. i'm sure it happens, but I have been a "liberal" my whole life and have been to various types of protests, etc. So you should be GLAD to hear that NOT once have i heard anyone say anything derogatory about our Troops!
nothing but goodwill and support. I dont know anyone AT ALL who would even remotely consider spitting at troops or calling them names. I thought that was over with the 60's .... let's hope so.
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cathy
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Re: Average Military Person
« Reply #14 on: Apr 1st, 2003, 4:20am » |
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Great post ShariRae...thanks for sharing it.
Michael...did you really need to add this bit....???
on Apr 1st, 2003, 4:09am, michaelc wrote: Although i'm hesitant to even respond for fear of Enraging someone with my 'pomposity', lol.
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Cathy
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