The rest of my day showed a slight hint of promise mentally and physically for the upcoming deployment, as we packed and laid out our equipment for pre-deployment training. The full month of May should be interesting for me and my fellow conrads. We will be in Louisianna for jrtc, training, sharing showers, sharing food, sharing high thoughts of positive reinforcement called "brain washing", sharing cigarettes, and working hard to train proficiently at our upcoming deployment so that you lucky civilian americans can lay your mcdonalds riden asses in bed and enjoy the freedom that we soldiers sacrifice. But dont feel guilty, it's our pleasure. We do what you don't because we are able to make the sacrifices that most can't, we can carry the weighted down bags that extra mile, fire that bullet that might make this great, fortunate country safer for our young and old. We volunteer for the hard line we must walk because we love to bring a smile to the face of a loved one, neighbor, and stranger. I personally love to see a child, man, or woman smile in something good that i have done, especially when it is from a person in a far away country that doesnt even understand why I am there givng them water, food, shelter, and freedom. People all over make jokes about the armed forces soldiers ; saying we only do what we do because we can do nothing else. I personally have seen many areas of the U.S. armed forces including foreign forces. The amount of potential for each individual in this sacred armed force is tremendous! These soldiers are people from all walks of life. I have met fortune five hundred sons and daughters that serve not for the money but the smile on a strangers face. I have met enlisted soldiers with degrees in many different areas that joined the army because they would rather be able to provide a safe enviornment for a less fortunate 20 year old begin elementry school in a foriegn country. These men and women that represent the armed forces are my HERO'S! THEY carve the path for the leaders of our countries. Those mothers and fathers in uniform sacrifice extra time that they could be with their families, job opportunites, college, and unfortunately sometimes their life... For you. So thank these young men and women that have the courage and soul to give up what they treasure and love, so that you may be safe, and provided for. Thank you civilians for appreciating everything we soldiers have done and everything we continue to do!!! We thank you...