Some stay up for 16 hours;
he stays up for days on end...
Some take warm showers to wake up;
he goes days or weeks without running water...
he goes days or weeks without running water...
Some complain of a 'headache' and call in sick;he gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward...
Some put on their "anti-war/don't support the troops shirts" and go meet up with friends;
he still fights for their right to wear that shirt...
he still fights for their right to wear that shirt...
Many check their pocket to make sure they've remembered the cell phone;he clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags...
Some talk trash about 'buddies' that aren't along for the fun;
he knows he may not see some of his buddies again...
he knows he may not see some of his buddies again...
Some walk down the beach staring at all the pretty girls;
he patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists...
he patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists...
Some complain about how hot it is;
he wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow...
he wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow...
Some go out to lunch and complain because the restaurant got the order wrong;
he doesn't get to eat today or goes for stretches without a hot meal.
he doesn't get to eat today or goes for stretches without a hot meal.
For some a maid makes the bed and washes the clothes;
he wears the same uniform for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
he wears the same uniform for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
Some go to the mall and get their hair redone;he doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
Some get angry because a class ran five minutes overtime;he's told he will be held over an extra two months.
Some call the girlfriend and set a date for tonight;he waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home...
Some hug and kiss girlfriends and wives every day;he holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
Some roll their eyes at the sound of a baby's cries;
he gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet...
Some criticize the government and say that war never solves anything;
he sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting...
he sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting...
Some hear the jokes about the war and make fun of men like him;
he hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.
he hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.
Some see only what the media want them to see;
he cannot avert his gaze from the broken bodies lying around him.
he cannot avert his gaze from the broken bodies lying around him.
Some are asked for help by parents or family and refuse;
he does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.
he does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.
Some stay at home and watch TV;
he uses whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.
he uses whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.
Those at home crawl into their soft beds with down pillows, and get comfortable;he tries to sleep but is awakened by mortars and helicopters all night long.
REMEMBER our troops: they are living and dying for us far from home and family.
Lest we forget: it is a very little thing we do to pray for and support them in word and action.
Wishing a safe and peaceful Christmas to our military deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other places in harm's way unknown to us.
God bless them and their families.
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