1/2 boy, 1/2 man

1/2  boy, 1/2 man - 1/2 girl, 1/2 woman ! If you  read this, you  WILL forward it on. You  just won't be able to stop  yourself.  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 all of our military  personnel.   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.  I  can't break this one, sorry. Pass it on to  everyone and pray.