posted on April 5, 2003 05:27:54 AM new
Just got this email from a friend of mine - there wasn't an author on it, but it's great
THE AVERAGE MILITARY MAN
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 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 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 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.
"Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Harry Thompson
[ edited by wgm on Apr 5, 2003 05:28 AM ]
[ edited by wgm on Apr 5, 2003 05:30 AM ]
posted on April 5, 2003 06:41:28 AM new
Good pictures colin.
wgm, There are also 200,000 women in the arm forces now (per NPR).
I wonder why these pieces are always about males? Any female or male, at the front, middle or back of the line is putting their butt on the line. Many do not believe in this war, but went because it is their job.
Many female soldiers are there already, many could go whenever Mr. Bush decides he, Wolfowitz, Rumsfelt, Crystal and their little "club" decide it is time to add to the empire.
We are all related in this world, with differences in skin color and culture.
I pray for all my cousins and if God is watching and isn’t too busy I wish she would whisper in Mr. Bush’s ear and tell him what she REALLY thinks.
His Methodist church and all the others (except Southern Baptist) have tried and were not heard (or ignored).
posted on April 5, 2003 07:28:14 AM new
Yes, wonderful pictures of our BRAVE soldiers. I know we can never even begin to understand the hardships they have and will face. I do hope they're hearing of the support they have here at home. God Bless America and all those who fight in her name.
The question is not what a man can scorn, or disparage, or find fault with, but what he can love, and value, and appreciate. J. Ruskin
[ edited by Linda_K on Apr 5, 2003 07:29 AM ]
I know. I just wonder why these are always about males. I do wonder if they are passed on by military heads.
I might add the 200 years of freedom fighting doesn't ring true either. 200 years for white males. Females have only been free to vote since the 1920s. As far as I am concerned black people are still not free. BUT, they are fighting back God Love 'Em.
No disrespect to you, wgm. Please read the article that was sent to me about Equality and pass it on if you would. Thanks.
posted on April 5, 2003 09:55:38 AM new
Twelve years since the launch of Desert Storm, as hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops head to the Persian Gulf region, experts predict that if there is a war with Iraq this year, the number of U.S. women serving in the combat theater would exceed the 40,000-odd Desert Storm figure. And with it, it would also increase the likelihood of U.S. women in uniform being wounded, killed, or taken prisoners of war while in the line of service.
Exclusion bars women from infantry, armored and most field artillery units as well as special forces units among others. And according to many experts, it imposes a limitation on potential promotions and on how far women in the military can rise.
posted on April 5, 2003 12:48:53 PM new
I agree Helen. The limitation is there for a reason, and I do not believe it is for protecting women.
There has been more news recently about the Colorado Air Force Academy and weak young male cadets not being able to control their bodies or their minds. And more about commanding officers ignoring what was happening and covering up female cadet's rape. I believe I heard it at the beginning of last week.
When we see women in the front lines (of anything) it will be very hard to have photo opportunities showing only men as heroes.
Maybe there will be a day when three people (2 women/1 men) or (2 men/1women) just happen to be raising a flag with a cameraperson around. Maybe that cameraperson will be a woman and just maybe a picture will be taken of the three for posterity. Maybe a statue will be raised with the three forever shown as examples of the moment.
From Helen’s second link:
While Lynch lay in a hospital bed in Germany with fractured arms, legs, and spine, one talk-show host in Boston, Jay Severin - who has never served in the military - wondered if she were being mythologized as a plot by liberals to legitimize women in combat. He also introduced the notion that she might have been the driver, given that the convoy lost its way.
Shaking head. We really have a screwed up country in some areas.
posted on April 5, 2003 01:03:44 PM new
Those were great pictures.
Now that we have gotten to Jessica Lynch and women in battle I have a question. Anybody have any ideas about why the woman of color POW was executed and Jessica was stuck in the hospital? From all I have heard she wasn't "wounded" until she got there. I'm curious as to your thoughts on the matter.
posted on April 5, 2003 01:18:07 PM new
::Now that we have gotten to Jessica Lynch and women in battle I have a question. Anybody have any ideas about why the woman of color POW was executed and Jessica was stuck in the hospital?::
I was unaware that the POWs were executed. From my understanding the bodies found at the hospital were individuals formerly listed as MIAs.
As for keeping Jessica, she's a cute blonde girl in a land where blondes don't exist......
posted on April 5, 2003 01:33:10 PM new
I'd think that Jessica Lynch was wounded in the battle that left the rest of her comrades dead or dying... And she was "stuck" in that hospital because she was a wounded POW, a combination prisoner and patient.
You can't survive 10 days without water and nourishment, they had to have been taking care of her to some extent, and she was bandaged when she was in the Iraqi hospital. Also, there seems to have been a plan to amputate her leg in the Iraqi hospital.
As the reports from Germany indicate she'd lost feeling in one or both of her feet (legs?) the planned amputation sounds like a medical decision.
Of course, it might not be a case of the sort of somewhat decent (under war conditions) medical care mixed with military intimidation/brutality that we probably expect from our own forces re a captured injured enemy combatant. No doubt they were holding her to begin a harem of one-legged blondes, as per Neonmania's suggestion.
posted on April 5, 2003 01:47:16 PM new
Neon, from my understanding, the bodies found were those of her comrades and one from a different unit.
Trai, I think color had something to do with this. I can't remember if any of the men were caucasian but she was definitely singled out for torture because she was.
I will be interested to find out the real story. I wouldn't wish torture on anyone but find it sad that our nation is thought of by the Middle East to be white when we are so much more. I just wish the others had had the chance and miracle Jessica had.
posted on April 5, 2003 02:29:51 PM new
According to this article today, Jessica Lynch's roomate, Piestewa, who was a Navajo Indian was the first American female soldier to die in Iraq. A doctor in the hospital led the troops to Jessica who was being taken care of.
How do you know that she was being tortured or saved because of the color of her hair???
I think that she was just very lucky to survive a battle that left her fellow troops dead.
There is always a lot of unfounded speculation about news such as this. For awhile, it was being falsly reported that she had been shot three times.
posted on April 5, 2003 03:22:23 PM new
"How do you know that she was being tortured or saved because of the color of her hair???"
She was being tortured because they hate white people, and saved because all dark skinned men want to despoil our blonde flowers of (fighting) femininity, with or without all their legs.
posted on April 6, 2003 11:59:41 AM new
Thanks Helen for the race of Piestewa. I had only seen a picture and interveiw with her family several days ago. You're right there were rumors floating around that Jessica had been shot and stabbed.
I also remember a report that all of the others had execution shots to the head.):
