1/2 boy 1/2 man

got this from a friend. its beautiful.thanks, k.
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The average age of the army 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 dole either.

He's a recent college graduate; he was probably an average student
from one of the Kendriya Vidyalayas, 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 country or gazals or swing and a 155mm howitzer.
He is 5 or 7 kilos lighter now than when he was at home because he is
working or fighting the insurgents or standing gaurd on the icy
Himalayas from before dawn to well after dusk or he is at Mumbai
engaging the terrorists. 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. His pride and self-respect, he
does not lack.


He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of combat dress: he washes one and wears the other.
He keeps his water bottle 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 wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in
combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the Jana Gana Mana 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 hands from their pockets, 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 your nation's Fighting Man that has kept this country free and
defended your right to Freedom. He has experienced deprivation and
adversity, and has seen his buddies falling to bullets and maimed and
blown.



But,

He has asked nothing in return, except our acknowledgment of his
existence and understanding of his human needs.
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.

Prayer wheel for our military... please don't break it Please send
this on after a short prayer.
Prayer Wheel

'Lord, hold our Indian Armed Forces 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.'

When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer
for our soldier, sailors , and airmen , in all frontiers
There is nothing attached...
This can be very powerful...
Of all the gifts you could give a Soldier, Sailor, or Airman,
prayer is the very best one.

I can't break this one, sorry.
Pass it on to everyone and pray for the Indian Soldier. And unlike
your 'Babus' or 'Netas'.



He will always do you proud!!!


-the girl.