The average age of the military man is 19 years old. 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, he'll share his food with you. 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 ife - 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 than 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.

"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."

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier,
Sailor, Marine or Airman, prayer is the very best one.

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