You
grab your cell phone to call your friends. He clutches the
cross
hanging
on his chain next to his dog tags. He knows
he
may not see some of his buddies again.
You
walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He
patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
He's
told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
You
call your lover and set a date for tonight.
He
waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
You
hug and kiss your girlfriend, wife, lover like you do every
day.
He
holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
You
roll your eyes as a baby cries. He gets a letter with pictures
of
his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.
You
criticize your government. He sees the innocent tortured
and
killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.
You
hear the jokes about the war and some criticize men like him.
He
hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.
You
see only what the media wants you to see.
He
sees the broken bodies lying around him.
You
are asked to do something as simple as obey speed limits. You
don't.
He
follows orders and does exactly what he is told even if it
puts his life in danger.
You
stay at home and watch TV. He takes whatever time he is
given
to
call, write home, sleep, and eat.
You
crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get
comfortable.
He
tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night
long.
Keep
those who serve now, with courage, integrity, and in conditions we
could
never imagine in your thoughts and prayers. It is for them we
enjoy
the lives we have, and the freedom we enjoy.