Two Defining Forces

Lady Lori's mother sent this around in an e-mail. Makes you think, doesn't it?

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 righ t to wear that shirt.
__________________________

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.

He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
__________________________

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 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 doesn't get to eat today.
__________________________

Your maid 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're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
__________________________

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.
__________________________

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 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 probably a worse place because of men like him.
If only there were more men like him!
____________________________

If you support your troops, re-send this to everyone you know, If it gets to another veteran who hasn't received it yet, it will bring back memories. Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G. I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

On this Labor Day, while our troops are laboring to preserve our Freedom, remember them and say some prayers for their safety and the successful completion of their missions.

UPDATE: Over at A Rose By Any Other Name, Anna has posted another e-mail about Our Troops, which is definitely worth reading. Please visit!