Pride

This was sent to me by my mom, it has been circulating throuhgout the net.







>
> The average age of the Infantryman 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-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.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Chicane]

Ahhh patriotism.

>sigh<

[wasions]

Originally posted by Chicane
Ahhh patriotism.

>sigh<

Kind of nice to see it again, eh Rob?

[JeffN]

I salute all of them. And feel the same notes of the anthem inside as well.

[Chicane]

While I support our troops, and I generally like America, I hate this kind of stuff. I believe some of you might remember my feelings on the Sept 11th 'drive with your lights on' crap.

Anyway, I'm glad you guys support the troops as well I guess.

[awdsvx]

I can relate to that. I was once that young kid that just got out of high school and immediately went into the U.S. Army. I was that Infantryman, I know in my heart I am still that 11 Bravo Infantryman. If ever called upon by my country I will serve again. God Bless America!


Spc. awdsvx

[sfsvx]

As soon as I read the part about the infantryman having trouble spelling, I knew Ca$h, I mean Chicane, wasn't going to like it.

Yesterday, I went from watching a TV feature about our Combat Support Hospital in Iraq to watching an article about the families of the people lost on 9/11 working to make sure they get as much money from the government as possible ($1 million+ just ain't enough, you know?). The contrast made me kinda sick.

[Chicane]

Hey, at least I'm being honest here. I just think patriotism that is...eh... skewed is almost dangerous. Instead of saying "rah rah america" perhaps we should try to look at everything critically. Do I think what we're doing is right? I don't know. Do I think the Saddam is a nutjob? Yep. Do I believe a lot of Iraqi's hate him? Yep. But they also hate us (which isn't a surprise considering what Saddam has been telling them all these years), so I'd say there between a rock and a hard place.

- Rob

Originally posted by Chicane
But they also hate us (which isn't a surprise considering what Saddam has been telling them all these years), so I'd say there between a rock and a hard place.

- Rob

they're

[Chicane]

Graci. They're. Duh.

[Landshark]

Originally posted by Chicane
Graci. They're. Duh.

remember, Rob, you brought this on! i guess YOU'RE forever going to be harrassed for your second-grade level GRAMMAR and spelling. (just kidding!)

[Chicane]

Bring it. Each time I make a mistake, HOPEFULLY someone will correct me, and HOPEFULLY, all of you will read the correction, and thus we all become more intelligent.

- Rob

[CigarJohnny]

I actually regret not having gone into the service when I was younger and I admire those that have. I offer my gratitude to all those on the board that have ever served our fine nation. Without you we wouldn't be what we are today.

I salute you!

[Chicane]

I'd be in the navy right now if it werent' for ADD and asthma.

>shrug<

The Navy rules.

- Rob

Hmm.. the truth. No need to be so bitter.