RE: Memorial Day

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CIVILIANS AND WARRIORS:

Someone who just got back from Iraq a few months ago-someone with
whom I've traded emails and learned a lot from via pm's etc.....posted
this today:

The difference between civilians and Warriors,
__________________________
Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10
minutes.

He stays up for days on end.
__________________________
You take a warm shower to help you wake up.

He goes days or weeks without running water.
__________________________
You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.

He gets shot at, as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.
__________________________
You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet
up with your friends.

He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.
__________________________
You make sure your cell phone is in your pocket.

He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
__________________________
You talk trash on your "buddies" that aren't with you.

He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
__________________________
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.

He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
__________________________
You complain about how hot it is.

He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe
his brow.
__________________________
You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your
order wrong.

He does not get to eat today.
__________________________
Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.

He wears the same things for months, but makes sure his weapons are
clean.
__________________________
You go to the mall and get your hair redone.

He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
__________________________
You are angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.

He is told he will be held an extra 2 months.
__________________________
You call your girlfriend and set a date for that night.

He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
__________________________
You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.

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, and say that war never solves anything.

He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own government and
remembers why he is fighting.
__________________________
You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of the men like him.

He hears the gun fire and bombs.
_________________________
You see only what the media wants you to see.

He sees the bodies lying around him.
__________________________
You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.

He does what he is told.
__________________________
You stay at home and watch TV.

He takes whatever time he is given to call and write home, sleep, and
eat.
__________________________
You crawl into your bed, with down pillows, and try to get comfortable.

He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken
by gun fire.
__________________________
You sit there and judge him, saying the world is a worse place
because of men like him.

If only there were more men like him.
__________________

"The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie — deliberate,
contrived and dishonest — but the myth — persistent, persuasive and
repeated.”

-Bravo