The American Military Man

[SnAkEbItE]

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
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 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.

[LA_MERC_Cowboy_From_Hell]

wow...that slowed me down today...thx Snake. You write that or find it.

Scott

[LA_MERC_LaTech]

THat was awesome!

[Jubae]

God bless america and our service men and women, my hat goes off to them all. May God bless and protect you all.

[LA_MERC_Sabre]

All the men and women in service deserve our full and unconditional support, after all they are defending our freedom. If you don't feel like they need our support, think about putting yourself in their position, maybe you will change your mind.

[LA_MERC_Cowboy_From_Hell]

OMG!!! JUBAE!!!! You HAX'd the President's hat?!?!?!? That's just wrong.

Scott

[LA_MERC_Sabre]

lol

[SnAkEbItE]

No I got that in a email today as well as a letter from my Aunt. My cousin Kris is over ther in 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigigade,Task Force Tarawa; 8th Marines, Fox Company. He has been in several major battles according to my aunt and was part of the team that took the hospital where all the gas mask were found. I have to tell you guys this scares me. I knew he was over there just didn't know where or how much he's be involved with. I am really worried right now about his safty as well as all of our people over there. I'm trying not to think about it too much for when I do I just start shutting down mentaly. I stop and think would I be able to do that, would I be able to fight and to defend people back here that have no respect for what it is I was doing? I just don't know I just know that I will stand up and I will salute them in any way I can. I have to stop now because I'm getting really worked up so guy's just pray that they don't have a chance to use any of the things they said they don't have.



I've changed the song in my sig. It's Toby Keith Singing just how I feel right now.

[Rooster]

great post snakebite, I hope everyone (especially the anti-war protestors) begins to feel the pride and understand the sacrifice that the men and women of our fighting force endure. BTW love that song :D

[cd]

I think every male in this country should be required to server atleast 2-4 years in some form a service... I mean hell, we enjoy these freedoms... why not server for them..

[LA_MERC_LaTech]

Hey...very socialist attitude there! Look at Germany (pre-WWII) and Russia for examples of how this really works!

In theory, I agree, though.

[LA_MERC_Sabre]

i also agree in that theory. I would like to see that happen but in reality it never will. The problem will be in that everyone that does not want to serve will come up with some ailment or exuse as to why they can't serve.

[gesikah]

Originally posted by LA_MERC_Rooster
great post snakebite, I hope everyone (especially the anti-war protestors) begins to feel the pride and understand the sacrifice that the men and women of our fighting force endure. BTW love that song :D

:sigh: You can be against the war without being against the troops. In fact, alot of those that are against the war are because of their desire to eliminate or minimize the number of needless deaths, including the deaths of our brave soldiers.

Like General Wesley Clark said on CNN the other night (paraphrasing because I couldn't find a quote), "As long as they are protesting an administration and not the people, then fine." Anti-war is NOT the same as Anti-American.

And I also have a problem with the terms anti-war and pro-war. Nobody in their right mind would be pro-war, maybe they should call it pro-resolution-of-the-problem or something. :-)

Snakebite, that is great, it literally gave me chillbumps. I think we all know at least one person over there and at least one more we hope never get sent. May as many as possible come home safe and whole.

Well that is all I got the say about that. Proceed. :-)

[LA_MERC_Dirge]

hehehe gesikah is about to meet Dirge.

First of all, you cannot be against the war and be for the soldiers. Being against the war iherently implies failure for the troops. The level of which will vary but it is there. When we are involved in an armed conflict with our men and women on the front lines defending freedom and liberty, then it is our DUTY as civilians of the natin they are serving to display a united front of support.

As far as Gen Clark... sigh... he is a genuine idiot and not even worthy of the title. And BTW I'm pro-war all the way baby. As long as the war is on evil!

Oh and this isn't directed at you, I just like to chime in with my opinions. ;)

[LA_MERC_Cowboy_From_Hell]

Dirge is the head Elephant around here. He has many....MANY....opinions and likes to reiterate them at every avenue of oportunity. He is quite harmless though.
One bit of advice, if you do choose to spar with him (and he will do this gladly) please come armed with facts and facts to back up the facts and facts to back those facts up. He may be a b00n but he's very well researched.

Scott

[LA_MERC_Dirge]

Tired of my sig?!?! WTH

[gesikah]

Originally posted by LA_MERC_Dirge
First of all, you cannot be against the war and be for the soldiers. Being against the war iherently implies failure for the troops. The level of which will vary but it is there. When we are involved in an armed conflict with our men and women on the front lines defending freedom and liberty, then it is our DUTY as civilians of the natin they are serving to display a united front of support.


I'm sorry, but that is just ridiculous. The two are NOT mutually exclusive. Just because you make an assumption about something, doesn't make it so.

I do think that the situation was handled poorly, however I do hope that the troops are successful in all of their endeavors.

This nation was founded on freedom of speech, as long as the protests are peaceful and un-disruptive, I support them. However, those of the kind that spit on our men and women and call them murderers, etc can kiss my big white ghetto-booty. We are supposedly a civilized society and should act like it.




As far as Gen Clark... sigh... he is a genuine idiot and not even worthy of the title.

So you are in favor of honoring/supporting/respecting only those service men and women with whom you agree? I personally don't know General Clark, hadn't even ever heard of him until the other night, but I do know few "idiots" who have as many military accomplishments (http://www.nato.int/cv/saceur/clark.htm). You must truly deep down think very little of our armed services if you think they would give an "idiot" that much responsibility.

[roXet]

OMG ban her from this forum! For the sake of all that is holy BAN HER NOW!!!!

[LA_MERC_Cowboy_From_Hell]

Me runs and hides...this is going to hell in a handcart. One thing though...


Originally posted by LA_MERC_gesikah

This nation was founded on freedom of speech, as long as the protests are peaceful and un-disruptive, I support them.


I haven't seen one "peace march" that fits that category. It's the pro troops / pro war rallies that are peaceful. That says alot but who is going to the "peace marches."

Scott

[gesikah]

Originally posted by LA_MERC_Big_Brother
Me runs and hides...this is going to hell in a handcart. One thing though...


Don't say that. I promise I am harmless and if it gets too heated, I will just quit. I usually just stay out of political/religious discussions, but every now and then one just needs to stretch one's debate muscles. :-)





I haven't seen one "peace march" that fits that category. It's the pro troops / pro war rallies that are peaceful. That says alot but who is going to the "peace marches."

Oh I agree. While I have seen alot of anti-war protest that were carried out peacefully, entirely too many have turned sour.

[LA_MERC_Dirge]

w00t Time to rumble. I'll be following up with more as I finish my
Taco Bell, but to start Big brother is right, few of these "peace" marchers have been very peaceful. But of course, I will shed some light on that as well. hmmm quesadilla....

[LA_MERC_Dirge]

Okay, I'll start with Gen. Clark. I am not doubting his military background or expertise. He has impeccable credentials which have propelled his career to great heights. I AM questioning his political beliefs. Unfortunately for this bright former military leader, he is slowly evolving into another lost leftist liberal. Just an example of this can be seen by Clinton's huge support of him and his name often popping up in Presidential candidacy rumor mills. The saddest part of the deal is that his statement is eerily accurate as to who these "peace protestors" are. The majority of the protests are well organzied and funded. By whom you ask? I believe the acronym was something like ANSWER. Yeah it stands for some dumb idyllic dream thingy. Anyway, the point is that the organization is nothing more than a sub-unit of the World Labor Party (the old American Commmunist group founded by Stalin). Yeah it's these people, complete with their ridiculous placards comparing Bush to Hitler and proclaiming we're at war for oil, that are organizing these blatantly anti-American protests.

As for supporting the troops... I am not making an assumption on this. If you support the troops then you want them all to live and make it back home. Before war starts, it is fine to be against conflict, but when hostilities begin, the only way you can still support those troops is to support the action in which they are involved so as they may make it home safe as soon as possible. This is not even to mention the troops' feelings. This is often a forgotten aspect of this argument, but the troops are fighting for us and their strength and resolve and ability comes in large part from their support from home. If they are de-moralized by the vehemence towards their actions from their countrymen, then their effectiveness is adversely affected and their chances of coming home alive are decreased somewhat. Now that being said, you can disagree with the fact that we went to war. Okay fine, that is one of the reasons we are fighting this war. But you should not criticize the effort until it is complete. It's very akin to crying over spilt milk. And lastly, it is unfortunate, but there are those that have taken to using "support for the troops" to push their views. This can be seen in this article:
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-gledeen032503.asp

Sad sad sad

[LA_MERC_Cowboy_From_Hell]

Originally posted by LA_MERC_Dirge
Tired of my sig?!?! WTH

Tard...read it again. It's not me...

Scott

[gesikah]

Originally posted by LA_MERC_Dirge
..another lost leftist liberal..

That statement there is why I just stop here. That one statement makes it abundantly clear that debating any further would just not be any fun.

When something you disagree with comes up, you just start throwing around excuses and blanket statements. Oh yeah, he had excellent credentials but Clinton supported him, so none of it really counts. His opinions don't really mean anything.

Not once in your entire post did you make a single factual point against him. You didn't even offer fact supporting your opinion of him. I offered his military record as evidence of his being respected and decorated enough to warrant having an opinion on anti-war protesting. You offered "Clinton's huge support of him and his name often popping up in Presidential candidacy rumor mills" to dispute the weight of his opinion.

And yet again, your second paragraph is littered with the assumption that if you are against the war, you cannot also support the troops. Again I can only offer my own feelings as proof otherwise. You do offer "when hostilities begin, the only way you can still support those troops is to support the action in which they are involved so as they may make it home safe as soon as possible", but you see, this isn't fact, this is your OPINION, your belief. Therefore you are assuming that I am incapable of my own feelings.

Not once did you make a logic argument against peaceful anti-war protest. I conceded that most were not in keeping with what one would expect from peace-seekers. However, I have yet to see or hear and single protester speak out against the troops. In fact, as I stated before many protesters are protesting because they feel they have our soldiers (http://www.pixelpress.org/contents/rally/pix/image66.jpg) best interest at heart.

I grant you, that I personally will not be taking part in any protests, because, quite frankly, I think it is a waste of time and energy. The course of history is rarely effected by a group of angry college students voicing their opinions. However, because of my love of America and what it was founded on, I will ALWAYS support others' right to do so, no matter what their cause, whether I agree with it or not.

[LA_MERC_LaTech]

My question is this: Why should a General of the US Army's opinion on war-protests have any effect at all on me?

[LA_MERC_Sabre]

ummmm.....does anyone know when episode III comes out?

[gesikah]

Originally posted by LA_MERC_LaTech
My question is this: Why should a General of the US Army's opinion on war-protests have any effect at all on me?

I don't expect it to. But I also dont' expect you to call him an idiot just because you don't agree with him.:)

[SnAkEbItE]

Ok let me weigh in on this in more detail since I have family that is over there.

First off they knew that there was this chance when they signed up.
Secound thing is this, the family's need to be supportive of their family member that is there. They can't do that when they are blasting the Commander & Cheif.
Thirdly when the soilder are over there and they see this junk back here they start to wonder if they are going to come home to the same type of "Peace Marchers" who spat and numorus other things that happend to their dad's and their Granddad's when they came back from Vietnam. It's the same mind set today as was back then.

It is totaly political retoric stirred up by leftist and communist sponsers. I suggest that you look at who started and sponsored these marches.

Also I whish that it had not come to this but to state a famous quote.


The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

Have no doubt that Sadam is evil.

[roXet]

I think in 2005 Canuck....I'm not sure.

[Rooster]

If it is true that people "support our troops" but "don't support the war" then please tell me how does one supports the troops? What actions are taken to show the troops that you support them. How do people carry signs that down the war but support our troops? I don't feel that supporting our troops is sending them some toiletries and a "How ya doin?" card in one hand and denouncing their activities with the other. At work last Friday a lady, who is obviously not on my same wavelength, asked me if I was in the Gulf War and I said yes. She called me a murderer. How is that support? It confuses and frustrates the men and women that are there. It royally pi$$ed me off that she said that and I was there 12-13 years ago!! How would you feel if you were there fighting in the mud and muck, battling sandstorms and the enemy only to come home to someone that didn't support your effort. The war effort is larger than the individuals that are there and they know that.

To support the troops IMHO is to support their endeavor, their mission and the reasons why they are there in the first place. Noone likes war and if they do then there is something not right in the skull housing assembly. I don't like war but I support our cause, I think it is just.

Thanx for reading my ramblings.

[[Cajun] BigEasy]

Hey quick question - does supporting the troops mean sending them to war and while there away cutting billions from the budget from the VA?

[LA_MERC_Dirge]

You're right, we should spend endlessly on anything for the troops or the military.