Today is dedicated to our boys and girls in blue. They are the ones who are out there making the world a better and safer place for us. I am going to post this selection, which came to me in one of those "chain mails" that you normally just delete without thinking about.

I don't know if this is about someone specific. It doesn't even matter. What DOES matter is that every soldier in the field is a real person. They have family back home, a job, a pet, a lover, a spouse, a child, and/or friends. We take our Freedoms for granted so easily in this Country, and sometimes I'm reminded by someone who wasn't born in this country how lucky and special this place is.

There's a lot of reports on the news about "anti-war protestors" taking to the streets and engaging in acts of "civil disobedience". I've yet to hear one protestor make a valid case for even ONE reason why we shouldn't be doing this. Not one. Every "reason" that they have is easy easily dismissed as untrue, or is simply a matter of opinion (which isn't a reason not to go to war). Most of the reasons seem to be made as being anti-American, not anti-war. These people hate our government (maybe George Bush and/or Republicans) so much that they hate them even MORE than they do Saddam Hussein. I've yet to hear one of the protestors praise Hussein (Peter Arnett aside) for his humanitarian record. Not one has mentioned his peaceful negotiations with his neighbors. Not one has praised his record for fighting global terrorism. Not one. So, if you hate Bush (Republicans, etc.), good. Just STFU right now. The time for debate has passed. Right now your fellow countrymen (and women!) are thousands of miles away, doing YOUR dirty work. Let's show them some damn support. If you don't like it, Delta (and every other major airline) has at least one flight to somewhere outside this Country's borders. I suggest you take the next flight. And don't come back. We don't want you to.

Here's the promised tidbit. Think about it:

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.

As you go through your day, remember that they are just doing their job. And I hope they do it damn well. To all my friends and family that either are serving or have served in the military, I salute you and your work. Thanks for making it possible for me to be here today. And just remember that for every person "protesting" your job, there are MILLIONS of us who support you and believe that your mission is just and vital to our survival.

Previous day's rant

If you have ideas, comments, or criticisms, please let me know.

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