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 than 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.

~~ Author Unknown

Women have always been involved in war... from the earliest dates of history to the modern technology age -- silently contributing to the cause of their village or country, with no accolades or ticker tape parades to celebrate their endeavors. 

Women have knitted and crocheted warm clothing to be worn under chain mail to flight suits.   Women have doctored and nursed the wounded, spied upon the enemy, been used as messengers, made bullets, made bombs, built aircraft, piloted planes, taken up arms, and gone into battle.  Women have been shot at, maimed, tortured, raped, killed and taken as prisoners of war. 

Women have disguised themselves as men and fought fiercely alongside their fellow countrymen because of their strong beliefs in family, freedom and democracy.

To our sisters, mothers, aunts, cousins in arms -- we salute you!

For more information on women in war,
check out "Amazing Women in War and Peace."

  Some Favorite Links 

American Ex-POW Organization

Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office

44th Bomb Group
Veteran's Association

Internet B24 Bomber's Group

Stalag XVII-B

United States Army
Air Force

Pages Within This Site

American National Anthem
by Francis Scott Key

Borrow Pits
By Kenneth L. Erhard

Declaration
Document of treason!

Editorial
Sometimes original gripes

Flying the U.S. Flag
A how-not-to in flag etiquette

Freedom
How far will you go?

Heroes
Everyone needs a Hero

High Flight
By John Gillespie Magee Jr.

Ken's Story
By his widow

The Report
"Miss Dianne" is MIA

Web Memorial
Dedicated to All Which Have
Paid the Ultimate Price

These pages designed and developed by J.E. Bean
�1997-2004
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