this was sent to me via email, thought I'd pass it on....

The Average Infantryman

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 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.

By Palmbchprincess on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 01:04 pm:

Collette, that is one of the truest things I have ever read. Thank you for sharing.

By Semperspencer on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 03:42 pm:

Even though my husband is a 28 year old American Soldier, I find this passage not only true, but humbling. I am so proud of my hubby and all other military men and women.

By Autumn on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 06:22 pm:

There is a young guy at work named Joe. He is going to be shipped out; he's in the reserves. He's terrified, but he's going to go, and fight for his country. When he told me that he is going to go, I told him that while I'm very sorry that he has to go, I'm glad that he is going, because I feel that the job they're going to do over there needs to be done. He paused after I stopped talking, and said "Thank you. That is the nicest thing that a civilian not in my family has said to me since I found out I was going." We talked for a while, and apparently he's met all sorts of opposition, people calling him 'child-killer' to his face. That's so sad. Even if you opposed the war, how in the world can a person say something like that to someone who may well be giving their life?