This page will go out to all our troops. Either it be fighting for our country, at home with their families, retired, POW, KIA or MIA. To anyone that has ever served our country, I'm proud to say that you are very much respected. I'd also like to dedicate this page to my father. A retired Mst Srgt of the US Army, and my husband, active duty, LCPL of the US Marines. All my love to you guys.

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 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 forgets 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 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.

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in
our time of need. Amen."

I don't know who wrote this, but I wanted to post it as a wife and daughter to/of a Military Man.
Also proud adoptee of a Vietnam MIA.

These are just a few of our US Military boys that I'm proud to tip my hat to.

My husbands in there somewhere! lol

My Father

In loving memory of my uncle William Higgins, retired US Army. 2 bronze stars and a purple heart.