You and He . . . A Photo Essay

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.

He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months. 

You  talk trash about 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 patrols 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  doesn't get to eat today.

Your mom makes your bed and washes your clothes.

He wears the same things for weeks, 

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 call your girlfriend 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, 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 people 

and remembers why he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war,

 and make fun of 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 go to the store by your parents. 

You don't.  

He 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.

REMEMBER  our Troops, and do not forget them LATER  

Lest  we forget -

 KEEP  THE CHAIN GOING

March 2009