This came to me from a friend and although it is not about fishing I thought of the great photo posted recently when I read this and wanted to pass it along... I cannot help myself from feeling pride and being proud for all our service personnel each time I read this.
"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 a 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 fathers...but he never collected unemployment either. He's a recent high school graduate, but was probably only an average student, pursued some form of sports activities, drives a 10 year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left... or swears that she will be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock & roll, hip-hop or rap, jazz or swing ... and 155mm Howitzers. He is 10/15 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, so letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less than that in the dark. He can recite to you the nominclature of a machine gun or a grenade launcher... and use either one effectiviely 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 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 and washes one while wearing 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 with you. 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 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 his Father, his 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 hundred 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.

Prayer Wheel for our Military... Please pass this on and don't break it.
"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. In the the Name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, Amen"
Ron

That is nice. Thanks for sharing it. Let's all pray for our troops. It does make a difference.

Thanks Ron