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THE AVERAGE AMERICAN SOLDIER
The average American Soldier is male.
He is around 19 years old.
He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid.
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.
He would rather wax his own car
than wash his father's;
but he has never collected unemployment either.
He is a recent High School graduate;
he was probably an average student.
He most likely went out for sport activities,
with his friends.
He had or 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 howizzitor.
He is 10 to 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 forgets 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 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.
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,
and all the while tempering the burning desire
to "square-away" with those around him
who haven't bothered to stand, and 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 yers.
Remember him always,
for he has earned our respect
and admiration with his blood.
And now we 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 them in prayer.
And remember their families
that wait for their return.
Of all the gifts you can give,
Prayer is the most Powerful.
Note: this is an e-mail circulation that has been going around for quite some time now. I didn't write it, but I have made a few changes in it, as I was a wife of a Vietnam Vet, I am a mother of two Vets, both served during war time. And I am a friend of all military and families. I dedicate this page to All Branches of Military, and Veterans, also to my late husband Edward G. Karp, my two sons David and Robert, and now my grandson, Justin Karp. Please honor our Soldiers, and honor our Veterans with your prayers. God Bless you all.
Vee
(Ed, this song is for you)
Defenders of Freedom Graphic by unknown artist.
Anyone knowing the artist please send to Vee.
I will give proper credit.
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