moving chain email that i gotta share...

[j0n]

Anyone that has a problem passing this along---------has a problem look in the mirror. This is a good one, keep it going !!!!

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 howitzer. 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 i! f 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. And now we even have woman 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 this shot.. A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.......

Prayer wheel for our military... please don't break it. Please send
this on after a short prayer.

Prayer Wheel

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts
they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."

Prayer :
When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air, and for those in Iraq. There is nothing attached.... This can be very powerful....... Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine or Airman, prayer is the very best one. !

I can't break this one guys..sorry This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq. Pass it on to everyone and pray.

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
GOD BLESS AMERICA & OUR TROOPS and all the other countries that are standing up alongside of us

dont know about the rest of you but this hits home for me...hard

[qwikz28]

didnt know you had loved ones in the military jon. i pray for thier safe return. it is indeed a touching note.

[Untamed]

A buddy of mine whom I served with in the Army, ships out tomorrow with his new unit. Got a chance to visit with him and stay long enough for dinner last night. I missed the Nats because of this. Somehow knowing a friend, whom I had served with for 2 years, was heading over there for a year (his orders specified 12+ months) made it more important than the car show.

Here's a small mention after the prayer.

[JPiZZiJP]

Yes, this is touching j0n. Hits home for me as well... not that my dad is serving anymore, but used to. It's really sad the lack of recognition our soldiers get. I still think the majority of the country is oblivious to what our boys are sacrificing. I still sometimes regret that I didn't serve (at least for a couple years)...

[Tsar]

There's no recognition....I have a friend who was in Army Rangers and he told me that when they came back from Afganistan people would boo then and throw **** at them right at the airport. I mean what the **** is thier problem?

[Untamed]

I've not heard that. When my old unit returned (located in Bristol, PA) they had nothing but excellent local support and overjoyed families. That was well over a year ago though.

They're ramping up for a second stint probably next year. Man, survive it once and you think you're golden. Then later you find out you're being shipped back? Yeah I know, you knew the job was dangerous when you took it.

[Tsar]

Originally Posted by Untamed

I've not heard that. Â*When my old unit returned (located in Bristol, PA) they had nothing but excellent local support and overjoyed families. Â*That was well over a year ago though.

They're ramping up for a second stint probably next year. Â*Man, survive it once and you think you're golden. Â*Then later you find out you're being shipped back? Â*Yeah I know, you knew the job was dangerous when you took it.

I dunno thats what he said. It was when the whole afganistan thing started. i dunno all the details, sorry.