MILITARY MAN

When I placed my first geocache in 2005, I placed a print out of this in it.  I had received it in a cache that had many in it, and asked the geocache finders to take one, read it, and share it.  So, in my cache it went.  7.5 years later, when taking friends to the cache, I noticed right away that the print out was still in the cache.  Well preserved, but definatley read many times.  Today it occured to me that it would be the perfect thing to post today...in honor of our Veterans.  

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 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. 

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.

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 has asked nothing in return, except years..  he defends their right to be disrespectful.  have fallen in combat and is unashamed..  his job. 

our friendship and understanding 

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect

and admiration with his blood.