AIR FORCE
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| Supporting our military men and women is something we need to always do ... but now, more than ever, we need to be supporting and praying for them as they fight the War in Iraq. And don't forget their families here at home. They too appreciate your support and prayers. | ||
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~ Author Unknown ~
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 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.
A Prayer for our Military Men and Women
Dear Lord,
Please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground troops
crossing the deserts of Iraq, for the sailors on ships, the
airmen in the air, and for those still fighting the War on Terrorism
in Afghanistan.
Of all the gifts you could give a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or
Marine, prayer is the very best one!
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Date: March 15, 2003 From: Dr. Richard H. (Dick) Pritchard (Col, USAFR - Ret) Subject: 9 pm prayer Everything I know or can sense as a former military officer tells me we are going to war very soon. Those of us back home in America can't do much, but there is one thing we can do. And I think this is a great idea. In WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and for peace. There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate, every evening at 9:00 pm Eastern Time, stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, it's citizens, it's men and women in the military, and for peace in the world. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along. Thank You, and GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Dr. Richard H. (Dick) Pritchard (Col, USAFR - Ret) |
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Below you will find different sites of interest, sites you can use to contact our troops, and sites you can use to help our troops. |  |
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United States Air Force United States Air National Guard
United States Coast Guard
United States Marines
United States Navy
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