Here's another version:
For the Troops
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 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.He does as he is told.
__________________________
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 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.
__________________________
