TB99 0 #1 April 1, 2003 The Average Military Man 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 155 mm 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. For our Military Please, whatever your views are about this war, please do not forget who is out there or disrespect them for being there. It is not their choice to declare war, they are doing their duties. Trailer 11/12 was the best. Thanks for the memories ... you guys rocked! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #2 April 1, 2003 WELL SAID!!!!! *thunderous Applause and cheering* I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #3 April 1, 2003 Quote*thunderous Applause and cheering* [Smile] Bringing down the house here! Thanks! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpergirl 0 #4 April 1, 2003 WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!! YEAH!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
btvr 0 #6 April 1, 2003 That was GREAT!! I once heard a quote. It said, "Soldiers are not the cause of wars, Gov'ts acting on our behalf are the cause of wars, we simply employ soldiers to do the dying for us". OORAH and SEMPER FI! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TB99 0 #7 April 1, 2003 Nice ... where'd you hear that quote??? Trailer 11/12 was the best. Thanks for the memories ... you guys rocked! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
btvr 0 #8 April 1, 2003 It was on a documentary about Marine bootcamp that my mother recorded when I was actually in bootcamp in Parris Island in 1985. It was called "Anybody's son will do" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TB99 0 #9 April 1, 2003 Nice ... thanks Trailer 11/12 was the best. Thanks for the memories ... you guys rocked! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n2skdvn 0 #11 April 1, 2003 Quote Are you a pilot? naw he just plays one on dz.comif my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN my site Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TB99 0 #12 April 1, 2003 Quote head of the coalition to change jt's avatar.... LOL ... hope you have enough countries backing you so you don't destroy the credibility of the DZ.com UN. Enough of this tho, don't want to "hijack" this thread, I'd rather keep the topic on the original post (like that's ever happened). Trailer 11/12 was the best. Thanks for the memories ... you guys rocked! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n2skdvn 0 #13 April 1, 2003 QuoteI'd rather keep the topic on the original post i agree just to much serious posting lately i have that story in my e-mail good read!!! check out jt thread as to where i got the idea!if my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN my site Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,573 #14 April 1, 2003 That's a great quote. And it's a great title for the film, too. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval2 0 #15 April 1, 2003 ok no looking at my avatar in this thread!!!AWESOME post TB!! I wont carry on about this, but it was very well summed up! the one, the only two, the JT"S!!! PICTURES! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #16 April 1, 2003 Very well written. And apart from the line "He is the American Fighting Man" it is true for all those men who fight and die for their countries. Regardless of their leaders ideology... It was certainly true for me at 19. t It's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TB99 0 #17 April 1, 2003 I do want to add that of course we support our fighting women!! As you can see by the title of the post, however, it was meant to be for the average military person (which is a man). Trailer 11/12 was the best. Thanks for the memories ... you guys rocked! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,573 #18 April 1, 2003 It's a quote, and reflects whoever wrote it. And he's probably an American man. If you acknowledge that it extends to women, you probably ought to acknowledge that it extends to non-American soldiers, too... One of the sad things about war is that it makes it harder to acknowledge our sameness sometimes. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TB99 0 #19 April 1, 2003 Excellent point!! Those soldiers that are fighting us are doing it for the same reasons our soldiers are fighting them. Point well made and taken. Trailer 11/12 was the best. Thanks for the memories ... you guys rocked! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca 0 #20 April 1, 2003 Thanks for that, TB. I've got another quote from a famous admiral, which I'll probably screw up, but it's something like this: The Lord gave us two ends; one to think with and one to sit with. The war depends on which we choose. Heads we win, tails we lose. I think it was Nimitz... Anyway, let's all keep our prayers focused on our fighting forces. They're this country's sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and friends. God bless them. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #21 April 1, 2003 Awesome! Thank you.Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbob 0 #22 April 1, 2003 Awesome, well done, hooooooah!Who Dares Wins Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
homer 0 #23 April 1, 2003 I already posted this last week under "todays email" CSA #699 Muff #3804 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
