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From: "Dan Hovey" <magicdan@ntplx.net>
To: "Friends and Relatives" <dhovey@ntplx.net>
Subject: Fw:  The Infantryman
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 22:28:42 -0500
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>
>
>Subject: The Infantryman
>
>
>The 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.
>
>
>God Bless America, be proud of the USA
>
>
>
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
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