Justin

CLICK HERE TO GET A NEW LAYOUTSometimes it hurt more then we can bear.If we could live without passion maybe we'd know some kind of peace..but we would be hollow..Empty rooms shuttered and dank. Without passion we'd be truly deadAre we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001? Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania? Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was "desecrated" when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet? Well, I don't. I don't care at all.I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia.I'll care when Abu Musab al-Zarqawi tells the world he is sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed Through his gurgling, slashed throat.I'll care when the cowardly so-called "insurgents" in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave Marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college hazing incident, rest assured that I don't care.When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank that I don't care.When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed "special" food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being "mishandled," you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts that I don't care.And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled "Koran" and other times "Quran." Well, Jimmy Crack Corn and -- you guessed it -- I don't care!" -MilitaryThe 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 girlfriendthat 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 howizzitor.He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter nowthan when he was at homebecause he is working or fightingfrom 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 secondsand reassemble it in less time in the dark.He can recite to you the nomenclatureof a machine gun or grenade launcherand use either one effectively if he must.He digs foxholes and latrinesand can apply first aid like a professional.He can march until he is told to stopor 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 youin the midst of battle when you run low.He has learned to use his hands like weaponsand 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 payand still find ironic humor in it all.He has seen more suffering and death then he should havein 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 bodywhile at rigid attention,while tempering the burning desire to'square-away' those around himwho 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 Manthat has kept this country freefor over 200 years.He has asked nothing in return,except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always,for he has earned our respectand admiration with his blood.And now we even have woman over there in danger, doing their part in this traditionof going to Warwhen our nation calls us to do so.As you go to bed tonight,remember this shot..A short lull, a little shadeand a picture of loved ones in their helmetsPrayer wheel for our military... please don't break it. Please send this on after a short prayer.Prayer Wheel"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their familiesfor the selfless acts they perform for usin our time of need. Amen."Prayer :When you receive this,please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air, and for those in Iraq.There is nothing attached....This can be very powerful.......Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine or Airman, prayer is the very best one. I can't break this one, sorry This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq. Pass it on to everyone and pray.AND HERE IS MORE: This is an Airman's response to Cindy Williams' editorial piece in the Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should be printed in all newspapers across America.On Nov. 12, Ms Cindy Williams (from Laverne and Shirley TV show) wrote a piece for the Washington Times, denouncing the pay raise coming service members' way this year -- citing that the stated 13% wage was more than they deserve.A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for this."Ms Williams:I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GIs earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account.Checking my latest earnings statement I see that I make $1,117.80 before taxes. After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40, after.I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment. A quick check under jobs for Network Technicians in the Washington, D.C. area reveals a position in my career field, requiring three years experience with my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year. No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per annum... I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in our armed forces. Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN; I leave the choice of service branch up to you.Whatever choice you make, though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience." As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary breadwinner is gone -- obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the government has been giving them.Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night; and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE (meal-ready-to-eat) you manage to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor. Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't nearly be long enough or often enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it.You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you present in your opined piece.But, tomorrow from KABUL, I will defend to the death your right to say it.You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment rights and every other right you cherish. On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your collective nose at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of civilian companies.And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve? Rubbish!A1C Michael Bragg Hill AFB AFNCCIF YOU DIDNT GET SOMETHING FROM THAT THEN YOU NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR MORAL BELIEFS! OOH RAH MARINE CORPS!