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DPChallenge Forums >> Rant >> In Support of Our Troops...
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03/30/2003 09:25:28 PM · #1
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 stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create 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 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.

03/30/2003 09:46:49 PM · #2
And I thank him, and her.
03/30/2003 11:02:43 PM · #3
ANd he is my son..but he's only 18.
03/30/2003 11:10:24 PM · #4
I would hope you all understand that there are a great many of us who can respect and fear for these young people, while at the same time vehemently disagreeing with the values, strategies, and decisions which put them in harm's way in the first place. I certainly want them all safely home as soon as possible.
03/30/2003 11:25:24 PM · #5
I read everything I can find pro and con. I listen to everything I can find. I haven't seen or heard a single thing that makes this war worth the life of one boy or girl, and especially not MINE.
03/30/2003 11:42:28 PM · #6
I really feel for them. Especially since I am there age. Some are there because they want to be, some are there because they have no other way to get to college. I'm not there because I would rather die than die fighting.
03/30/2003 11:49:30 PM · #7
Originally posted by emorgan49:

I read everything I can find pro and con. I listen to everything I can find. I haven't seen or heard a single thing that makes this war worth the life of one boy or girl, and especially not MINE.


Firemen and police officers risk their lives and die every day trying to save people. I don't hear anyone telling THEM not to do their job. Imagine if Bush said "Nope, no more police and no more firemen, don't want people risking their lives to save these stupid people". We'd be in a shit load of trouble.
And I believe that if something doesn't happen overseas, then we'll be heading for another 9-11, and it wont be pretty.
I don't want this war anymore than next person. But you know what? SOMETHING has to be done, or even more people are going to be killed.
I say let the soldiers do their jobs and thank them for possibly saving your butt someday.
I have a brother and 2 friends there right now. One of which I haven't heard from in weeks. He's in the 101st airborn. And he's in HSB 2/320 attached to 1/327. So if anyone hears anything about them, be sure to let me know.

03/31/2003 12:49:19 AM · #8
we're prayin for him Heather... god bless him and all of the troops and their valiant efforts...
03/31/2003 01:20:56 AM · #9
I will pray for your son, Heather. I will say special prayers for you, too. This must be the most difficult time of your life and my heart goes out to you.
03/31/2003 01:30:59 AM · #10
Do I always have to be the one who sticks up for the Australian and British troops who are fighting as well?

This description would fit them too, except for the parts that are specifically American. Our Australian SAS have been behind Iraqi lines, in Baghdad, for most of the time since this war started. They're not supposed to be reported on, and none of their faces are allowed to be shown on TV. Our navy have also been patrolling the Gulf and getting rid of mines.
03/31/2003 10:25:12 AM · #11
LisaE- keep on reminding us. It is for your balanced opinions (and Azrifels, too) that I am addicted to these DPC threads. In the US we get out news and we get BBC. There is a lot of talk of the British forces as well as American. Everything is called coelition (sp) forces. But I haven't heard one single mention of Austalian troops anwhere. Or any other country either. Except of course those who are contributing to the "bad guys".
03/31/2003 10:44:14 AM · #12
And the Poles... Poland sent troops...

Originally posted by lisae:

Do I always have to be the one who sticks up for the Australian and British troops who are fighting as well?

This description would fit them too, except for the parts that are specifically American. Our Australian SAS have been behind Iraqi lines, in Baghdad, for most of the time since this war started. They're not supposed to be reported on, and none of their faces are allowed to be shown on TV. Our navy have also been patrolling the Gulf and getting rid of mines.

03/31/2003 09:56:06 PM · #13
Originally posted by lisae:

Do I always have to be the one who sticks up for the Australian and British troops who are fighting as well?

This description would fit them too, except for the parts that are specifically American. Our Australian SAS have been behind Iraqi lines, in Baghdad, for most of the time since this war started. They're not supposed to be reported on, and none of their faces are allowed to be shown on TV. Our navy have also been patrolling the Gulf and getting rid of mines.


while I don;t agree with many if any of your opinions lisae, God bless your troops for their spirit and courage and willingness to contribute to the defeat of a ruthless madman and tyrant... god bless the brits, poles, and any other that has come to our aid...

what is a shame is that your Government is giving your PM such a hard time for supporting the war.. that is a shame...
03/31/2003 10:43:06 PM · #14
Originally posted by Anachronite:


what is a shame is that your Government is giving your PM such a hard time for supporting the war.. that is a shame...


It's called "democracy". It's supposedly what we're all fighting for, no?
03/31/2003 10:51:50 PM · #15
Originally posted by lisae:

Originally posted by Anachronite:


what is a shame is that your Government is giving your PM such a hard time for supporting the war.. that is a shame...


It's called "democracy". It's supposedly what we're all fighting for, no?


sounds like it is anyway, but since I don't know enough about your government and how it works, I can only say it sounds like it is... I will have to take your word on that one... but either way, it is still a shame they don't support him and his decision... it is the right decision, even if the spineless UN won't act...
04/01/2003 01:03:15 AM · #16
Originally posted by hbunch7187:

[quote=emorgan49]I have a brother and 2 friends there right now. One of which I haven't heard from in weeks. He's in the 101st airborn. And he's in HSB 2/320 attached to 1/327. So if anyone hears anything about them, be sure to let me know.


Heather you must be so worried. Please know that I will be praying for you and your family and your brother and friends.
04/07/2003 01:21:27 AM · #17
Heather, I really feel for you. I remember when my brother was in Viet Nam. All I could think about was how he was doing. Those were very difficult days. The movie "Born on the 4th of July" made me cry my eyes out. It really reminded me of how difficult that era was. My own family was divided over the political unrest of the day. Today is quite similar.
Anyway, know I will be praying for your brother and all the troops from every nation that is participating.
Grayce
04/07/2003 01:57:18 AM · #18
I have a cousin in the British Marines, 1st Lt. over there, saw him on the t.v. last week in Basra, dirty fighting. I'm in Canada and ashamed that our Prime Minister would not commit to send out troops in, but that is his decision that he has to live with, at least out navy (?) is trolling the waters over there.
I have to agree with Hbunch7187 - someone has to do the job to protect us from the evil that surrounds us and all we can do is support the troops no matter what country they are from and no matter what the leaders say or do. . .
04/07/2003 02:21:34 AM · #19
Heather, I feel for you too. I'm worried about things over there as well. I totally support the troops there. I grew up in a military family. My dad is now in recruiting and teaching a Leadership class here at a local college for the young soldiers, and then both my brothers are in Kuwait in the Army. One of them is a medic and cook, and the other fixes helicoptors. I just found out something that makes me worried is that my youngest brother who fixes the helicoptors has to man the gun on the trucks when they move to different areas. I would have probly ended up over there too, but military didn't want me out of highschool because I dislocated my knee really bad and have had problems. So keep my brothers in your prayers as well if you could.


BTW- my parents got to see my brother on the news tonight. He was standing in between the reporter and a priest as they said prayer. Totally unexpected.
04/07/2003 02:57:35 AM · #20
heather and jeremy, my thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and friends.

God bless our troops and bring them safely back home.
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