The average age of the military man is 19 years.

He is not yet 'dry behind the ears'...Not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country.

He pursued some form of sport activities and drives a ten year old jalopy

He has a steady girlfriend who either broke-up with him when he left, or swore to be waiting when he returns from half-a-world-away.

He listens to rock & roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or country...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 dark.

He can field-strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time...In the dark.

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 2 sets of fatigues: He washes one and wears the other.

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.

He'll share his water with you if you're thirsty and his food with you if you are hungry.

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 his 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 humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has wept in public, and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat...and he is unashamed.

He feels every note of our National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention...often 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, 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.