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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 1 0 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 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, support and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. May God bless them all . . . AMEN
Original author unknown
-------------------- Aaron Haynes Aaron's Signs & Windows Napa Ca aa4signs@sbcglobal.net ------------ Important Rule For Life: "Look out for number one... Don't step in number two" ------------ If your never the lead dog on the sled...the scenery never changes. Posts: 241 | From: Napa Ca. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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wow..that was a sad eye opener...may god bring them back all safely after they kick iraqs a$$ in...too bad it had to come to this...god bless america!
-------------------- Karyn Bush Simply Not Ordinary, LLC Bartlett, NH 603-383-9955 www.snosigns.com info@snosigns.com Posts: 3516 | From: Bartlett, NH USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Hello Aaron. Thanks for posting 'These Fine Men and Women".A heartfelt reminder. Enjoyed the Rules For Life quotes. Patrick G. Smith. Signpainter. Vietnam Vet.
-------------------- Patrick g. Smith Signsmith Studio 2047 N. Silverwood St. Orange, Calif.92865 714.282.7097 pgsmithdsign@aol.com Posts: 13 | From: 2047 N. silverwood St. Orange,Calif. 92865 | Registered: Mar 2003
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i saw in the paper the other day that 65% of the service men and women reg. get no mail at mail call....thats got to hurt! im looking into a letting writing and care package project
-------------------- Aaron Haynes Aaron's Signs & Windows Napa Ca aa4signs@sbcglobal.net ------------ Important Rule For Life: "Look out for number one... Don't step in number two" ------------ If your never the lead dog on the sled...the scenery never changes. Posts: 241 | From: Napa Ca. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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everytime I see a "righty" post with nothing to say I'll bump this.
This excellent quote above is right down the center of the reason our troops earn our full respect & support regardless of anyone's opinion about the larger foriegn policy or politically motivated decisions.
posted
Why not a panel Jam, something like a big ass banner maybe. As for mail, contact your local Red Cross. Some are more organized than others and you can sometimes narrow the field to home town locations. Some of the best letters a serviceman gets are from strangers. Amvets and the VA also organize mail. My suggestion is type it up maybe a generic one for multiple copies and drop them off. You won't believe how good you will feel.
-------------------- "No excuses!.... No regrets!..."
I was at the Bristol race yesterday and let me tell you, whether you are for or against this war, being a part of 80,000 people singing the Star Spangled Banner will send chills down your spine.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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thanks Aaron. I will email this to my brother (one of the fortunate ones that came home from Vietnam, as he enlisted and served 1 and a half terms), and I am sure he will pass this on. Our soldiers absolutely need recognition and they have my support all the way. My dear friend Lana's son, W.J. Schmitt, is in the 101st airborne (the NY division, not the PA one but still right there). The newspaper was arriving at her door to do a story on him Sunday as I called. We all know someone that is there, I am sure... I have a huge yellow banner with wonderful ties I have been hanging on to for a special purpose. What do you want to do with it? It is about 15 feet by 5. If three people could put it together it would be done quickly and gone to shipment over there. Let me know folks! Deb Fowler
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Hey you guys, don't forget that us Brits and the Aussies are also there !!!!.( shoulder to shoulder )
Brian.
-------------------- Brian the Brush brian the brush uk Yorkshire, UK www.brianthebrushuk.com Posts: 123 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Sep 2001
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Brian, I have not forgotten. Thanks for bringing this to the forefront. I can put your name or logo on it if you want to send it to me. My PO box is 2683, Loves Park, Illinois, 61132-2683. Anyone that wants to send me a small vinyl piece to stick on, just send it here and I will attach it. At the top it will say "We support you, Come home safely" {maybe from a bunch of signfolks that love you)... There will be plenty of room for anyone who wants to send me something. I should be able to get this sent in two weeks, and maybe get some footage on the banner so other troops can see it.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Aaron, what an awsome tribute to our soldiers. My father thought so much of it. I have heard him tell many stories of war and the cost of freedom. He served in the U.S.A.F. for 30 years, serving in WWII, flyin' P-51's, MIA for 6 mo.s, but livin' to tell about it. I always stand in awe of those who are willin' to lay down their life for they're brother or sister..........no greater love. thank you again for sharing it.
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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Aaron, what an awsome tribute to our soldiers. My father thought so much of it. I have heard him tell many stories of war and the cost of freedom. He served in the U.S.A.F. for 30 years, serving in WWII, flyin' P-51's, MIA for 6 mo.s, but livin' to tell about it. I always stand in awe of those who are willin' to lay down their life for they're brother or sister..........no greater love. thank you again for sharing it.
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." Theodore Roosevelt
-------------------- Gavin Chachere Plotter in the garage,New Orleans La.
"Sgts Shugart and Gordon again request permission to rope down to crash site two" Posts: 1223 | From: new orleans.la. | Registered: Mar 2000
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This sounds like my son-in-law that lived with us until 2 weeks ago - when he got deployed. My duaghter is PG with her 2nd and they are right in the middle of building a house (in the middle of a Michigan winter). He went to Iowa and then onto Kansas. We didn't know where he was going but recently he said that he was going to be getting fit for desert clothes.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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-------------------- Gavin Chachere Plotter in the garage,New Orleans La.
"Sgts Shugart and Gordon again request permission to rope down to crash site two" Posts: 1223 | From: new orleans.la. | Registered: Mar 2000
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-------------------- Aaron Haynes Aaron's Signs & Windows Napa Ca aa4signs@sbcglobal.net ------------ Important Rule For Life: "Look out for number one... Don't step in number two" ------------ If your never the lead dog on the sled...the scenery never changes. Posts: 241 | From: Napa Ca. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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As the worse part of the fighting is near, one thing that really puts a lump in my throat is knowing that every man and woman over there enlisted....not a single one is drafted. And on top of that, many joined up after the 9/11 tragedy...knowing full well that they were very likely to see action.
That kind of bravery and sense of duty to home and country from our young people has got to make us all feel that the world may not be going down the chutes after all.
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