Author Topic: 1/2 man, 1/2 boy  (Read 1628 times)

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Offline iddee

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1/2 man, 1/2 boy
« on: May 28, 2022, 11:15:59 am »
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 a 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 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 than he should have in his short lifetime.

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 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 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.' 
When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground troops everywhere, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air, and for those in all foreign countries.  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.
“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
― Shel Silverstein
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Offline Jen

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Re: 1/2 man, 1/2 boy
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2022, 12:19:55 pm »


There Is Peace In The Queendom

Offline Zweefer

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Re: 1/2 man, 1/2 boy
« Reply #2 on: May 28, 2022, 04:23:51 pm »
Well put iddee.  The number of 19 is from Vietnam.  Nowadays it is closer to 27 for the average age of the enlisted, and 34 for officers.

Nonetheless, it takes a special person to put their lives on hold for ours.  Please remember them this Memorial Day.
Keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams.
Henry David Thoreau

Offline The15thMember

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Re: 1/2 man, 1/2 boy
« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2022, 06:12:09 pm »
Great post, Wally!  Brought tears to my eyes.
I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led.  And through the air, I am she that walks unseen.

Offline iddee

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Re: 1/2 man, 1/2 boy
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2022, 06:25:38 pm »
Zweef, it says military man, not American military. Are your numbers for the world's militaries?
“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
― Shel Silverstein

Offline Zweefer

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Re: 1/2 man, 1/2 boy
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2022, 06:43:20 pm »
No sir. I was using US military numbers
Keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams.
Henry David Thoreau

Offline iddee

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Re: 1/2 man, 1/2 boy
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2022, 08:36:35 pm »
You may well be right. The guy that sent it to me, and me, were in "nam, so that may be where the number came from. Either way, the gist of it is the same.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY
“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
― Shel Silverstein

Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: 1/2 man, 1/2 boy
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2022, 07:37:04 am »




   This picture is from the Ukraine, and is taken with Yogurt the rescue cat that now has his green card and is a resident of Tampa Florida with my sons wife.
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Offline Jen

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Re: 1/2 man, 1/2 boy
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2022, 12:44:56 pm »
What a handsome lad ~ Oh! and the cats cute too  ;)
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: 1/2 man, 1/2 boy
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2022, 09:30:05 pm »
Yeah he fits the "HEY SARGE!" profile pretty well...
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