The Pride of America -
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
fighting holes 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 is 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.
Pray for Him...
What is a Marine?
The United States Marine Corps is over two hundred and twenty years of death and destruction. We are the finest fighting force this world has ever known. I was born in a foxhole. My mother is anger and my father is pain. Each moment that I live is an additional threat upon your life. I'm a rough-looking, tough-talking warrior of the sea. I'm cocky, self-centered, overbearing, and I do not know the meaning of fear, for I am fear itself.
I am a green amphibious monster made of blood and guts, who arose from the sea to prey upon enemies across the globe.
I feed upon anti-Americanism whenever it may arise - my hate makes me grow stronger. And when my time comes, I will die a glorious death on the battlefield, giving my life to Mom, the Corps, and the American flag. We live like warriors, talk like sailors, and slap the crap out of both. We stole the eagle from the Air Force, the anchor from the Navy, and the rope from the Army.On the seventh day, while God rested, we overran His perimeter, captured the globe, and we've been running the show ever since. Killer by day, lover by night, drunkard by choice,
