Adopt our Troops in Prayer.  I just adopted John V. who is in the army and is married to Aubrie.  I will be praying for them daily!

Today is a good day to pray for our Troops!

As our military faces great scrutiny during this hustle-and-bustle of holiday activity 2009, and the talking-news-channel- heads denounce our presence in other countries, even questioning humanitarian efforts, there are those who are serving us faithfully, night and day.  Regardless of our own political opinions and views (which they defend our right to have), they deserve our prayers.

An email forward, of all things.

This came in one of those pass-it-on emails.  I have no idea who wrote it, but it reminded me of young men and women, especially right now when we hold our families close and celebrate Christmas with gifts and gatherings and eggnog and merriment, who are already in Iraq or Afghanistan or other nations around the world or will be deployed shortly.  And I am sobered and humbled by their sacrifice.  And reminded to pray. 

Part Boy.  Part Man.

The 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 part man, part boy.   He’s 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 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 rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.

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 dusk.  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.  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 and knows how to fold his socks the right way.

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 National Anthem 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 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 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.

And let us not forget the women also serving over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.  No entitled princesses here.

 ‘Lord, hold our troops in Your loving hands… Give them strength and courage as they protect and serve.  Guide them through their missions and be a shield before them.  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.’

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine, or Airman, prayer is the very best one.  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 , Afghanistan and all foreign countries.

Yeah.  I can’t help it.  I am patriotic and these faces?  Bring out the protective mama in me.