After reading about noise at truck stops, not wanting to wait for loads because of the heat, the smells at truck stops, etc. etc. I got an e-mail from a friend that helped to put things in a better perspective for me, maybe it'll help some of you to.
YOU and HE
Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze button and sleep for another 10 minutes
He stays up for days.
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 a 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 atall 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 wife 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 traffic delayed you some today.
He is told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
You call your girlfriend and set a date for that night.
He waits for mail-call to see if there is a letter from home.
You hug and kiss your loved one like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and tries to smell her perfume on the letter.
You roll your eyes as ababy cries.
He gets a letter, with a picture of his newborn, and hopes he makes it back home, to hold and kiss it.
You criticize your goverment, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own goverment and remembers why he is fighting.
You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of the men like him.
He hears the gunfire and bombs.
You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the bodies lying around him.
Your are asked to go to the store. You don't.
He does what he is told.
You stay at home nad watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call or write home, sleep, or eat.
You crawl into your bed, and try to get comfortable.
He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken by gunfire.
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.
YOU and HE
Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze button and sleep for another 10 minutes
He stays up for days.
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 a 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 atall 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 wife 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 traffic delayed you some today.
He is told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
You call your girlfriend and set a date for that night.
He waits for mail-call to see if there is a letter from home.
You hug and kiss your loved one like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and tries to smell her perfume on the letter.
You roll your eyes as ababy cries.
He gets a letter, with a picture of his newborn, and hopes he makes it back home, to hold and kiss it.
You criticize your goverment, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own goverment and remembers why he is fighting.
You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of the men like him.
He hears the gunfire and bombs.
You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the bodies lying around him.
Your are asked to go to the store. You don't.
He does what he is told.
You stay at home nad watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call or write home, sleep, or eat.
You crawl into your bed, and try to get comfortable.
He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken by gunfire.
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.
