Our 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 you're 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 don't feel like helping out your dad today, so you don't.

He does what he is told.
__________________________

You walk down the beach, staring at all the cute guys.

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.

He does as he is told.
__________________________

You call your boyfriend 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 boyfriend, like you do everyday.

He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
__________________________

You ditch class to go to a movie.

He goes where he is told.
__________________________

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.
__________________________

You gripe at your parents for not buying your favorite snack.

He's just happy to get some packages of Kool-Aid and a bag of chips.
__________________________

You get mad when you have to share your favorite treat with a younger sibbling.

He shares what little bit of anything he has with the men around him.
__________________________


Here's to our brothers, sisters, dads, moms, cousins, aunts,
uncles, and everyone who is out there fighting. Here's to those
who didn't die in vain. And here's to those who care enough to do
something about what we don't like.