Todd and Tyler Unauthorized Forums

2ox · 01-25-2006

Im not trying to stand on my soap box. But my oldest step-son is in the Gulf for the second time. I've been thinking of him a great deal lately, and just wanted to share this with you guys. He and his young bride (also active duty) are expecting their first child in a couple weeks.

He will be serving his country.

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 howitzer.

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 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. And now we even have women over there in danger,
doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot.. A short lull, a little shade
and a picture of loved ones in their helmets

He is the American Fighting Man.

mike · 01-26-2006

VERY EXCELLENT find, 2ox.

KUfan_Donnie · 01-26-2006

Inspirational, thanks 2ox.

ob1 · 01-26-2006

^Indeed 2ox...thanks for keeping it real.

shutterbug · 01-26-2006

Very nice

Sweet William · 01-26-2006

As a Retired Gulf War 1 and 2 medic, in the 22 years that I severed this great country, and all the other places that I have been, my heart goes out to the military memeber and thier families that faces deployments to a war zone . . hell .. . to anywhere. It will make you or break you. After 22 years of being gone on 3-7 month deployments at a time, and I was also on Medivac for the last 15 years, it cost me my marriage (18 yrs) and I have had to rebuild my relationship with my 2 kids, becuase of always being gone, and even when I was home I was gone due to classes and other training. I missed the birth of my daughter, 12 christmas holiday seasons, 5 wedding anniv, 2 performances of the "Nut Cracker" as my daughter had a lead part, baseball games and drill meets and not to mention all the family get togethers . . . memories I'll never have. I'm sorry that this thread has me babbling . . . please remember OUR men and women and most of all remember thier families,. . . . and if you ever get the chance to help some one out that is in this situation . . . . by all means lend a hand. My son, who will graduate in May, has received an Appointment to the US Naval Academy, and soon will be flying something other than the Civial Air Patrol airplanes he now flys. I'm very proud of him and at the same time, I fear the worst.

mike · 01-26-2006

I wish your son the best of luck in the Navy, William. I am ex AF myself.

2ox · 01-26-2006

thank you for sharing that billy.....and thank you for your service!!

2ox · 11-11-2007

reposting this. nuff said

Thender · 11-11-2007

Logan · 11-11-2007

our thoughts and prayers are always with our service men and women. i extend my gratitude to those of you that have served and please extend that same gratitude to anyone you know that has served or is serving.

KUfan_Donnie · 11-11-2007

thanks for bumping this thread, 'ox

lilyvon schtupp · 11-12-2007

vetern's day
thank you all

jpa · 11-12-2007

MMM · 11-13-2007

Thank you to all that have or are serving!

01-25-2006	#1
2ox proud beta test subject Listens: I don't listen Join Date: May 2005 Location: on the poor side of town Age: 44 Posts: 3,312	The American Soldier Im not trying to stand on my soap box. But my oldest step-son is in the Gulf for the second time. I've been thinking of him a great deal lately, and just wanted to share this with you guys. He and his young bride (also active duty) are expecting their first child in a couple weeks. He will be serving his country. 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 howitzer. 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 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. And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so. As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot.. A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets He is the American Fighting Man. __________________ "Sheep go to heaven, goats go to Daves" Last edited by 2ox; 01-25-2006 at 07:59 PM.

01-26-2006	#2
mike Drugs Are Better Than Pugs - Just Say No Listens: Z92 - Mornings Join Date: May 2005 Age: 36 Posts: 12,695	VERY EXCELLENT find, 2ox. __________________ "Black Tony isn't salty, he's creamy"- Travis Justice

01-26-2006	#3
KUfan_Donnie 1-800-BETS-OFF Listens: Podcast Join Date: May 2005 Age: 21 Posts: 3,480	Inspirational, thanks 2ox. __________________ One weekend survived

01-26-2006	#5
shutterbug Off The Deep End Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Middle of Nowhere Age: 32 Posts: 1,123	Very nice __________________ I've never heard you talk like that... Are we about to get it on? Because I'm as hard as a diamond in an ice storm right now.

01-26-2006	#6
Sweet William TnTU Senior Listens: Z92 - Mornings Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: La Vista Age: 43 Posts: 288	As a Retired Gulf War 1 and 2 medic, in the 22 years that I severed this great country, and all the other places that I have been, my heart goes out to the military memeber and thier families that faces deployments to a war zone . . hell .. . to anywhere. It will make you or break you. After 22 years of being gone on 3-7 month deployments at a time, and I was also on Medivac for the last 15 years, it cost me my marriage (18 yrs) and I have had to rebuild my relationship with my 2 kids, becuase of always being gone, and even when I was home I was gone due to classes and other training. I missed the birth of my daughter, 12 christmas holiday seasons, 5 wedding anniv, 2 performances of the "Nut Cracker" as my daughter had a lead part, baseball games and drill meets and not to mention all the family get togethers . . . memories I'll never have. I'm sorry that this thread has me babbling . . . please remember OUR men and women and most of all remember thier families,. . . . and if you ever get the chance to help some one out that is in this situation . . . . by all means lend a hand. My son, who will graduate in May, has received an Appointment to the US Naval Academy, and soon will be flying something other than the Civial Air Patrol airplanes he now flys. I'm very proud of him and at the same time, I fear the worst. __________________ So . . . . There I was

01-26-2006	#4
ob1 Sith Chef Listens: Z92 - Mornings Join Date: May 2005 Location: CBIA Age: 38 Posts: 5,813	^Indeed 2ox...thanks for keeping it real.

11-11-2007	#9
2ox proud beta test subject Listens: I don't listen Join Date: May 2005 Location: on the poor side of town Age: 44 Posts: 3,312	Re: The American Soldier reposting this. nuff said __________________ "Sheep go to heaven, goats go to Daves"

11-11-2007	#10
Thender Always riding the ragged edge of disaster. Listens: Z92 - Mornings Join Date: May 2005 Age: 38 Posts: 18,147	Re: The American Soldier __________________ Two in the mouth is worth one in the bush. 4th place, 2008 TNTU.net college fantasy football... Bud came in 6th...

11-11-2007	#11
Logan Flaming out on phone calls since 2002 Join Date: May 2005 Location: where the f*cking skers play Age: 40 Posts: 764	Re: The American Soldier our thoughts and prayers are always with our service men and women. i extend my gratitude to those of you that have served and please extend that same gratitude to anyone you know that has served or is serving.

11-11-2007	#12
KUfan_Donnie 1-800-BETS-OFF Listens: Podcast Join Date: May 2005 Age: 21 Posts: 3,480	Re: The American Soldier thanks for bumping this thread, 'ox __________________ One weekend survived

11-12-2007	#13
lilyvon schtupp i ride the short bus because i'm Listens: I don't listen Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: counciltucky Posts: 1,280	Re: The American Soldier vetern's day thank you all __________________ A man melts the sands so he can see the world outside.--U2, Lemon

11-12-2007	#14
jpa Special Members Listens: Podcast Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Omaha Age: 27 Posts: 6,034	Re: The American Soldier __________________ "Never offend people with style when you can offend them with substance." --Sam Brown

11-13-2007	#15
MMM Enjoy In Moderation Join Date: May 2005 Location: blair Age: 35 Posts: 3,050	Re: The American Soldier Thank you to all that have or are serving!

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