redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted December 24, 2004 03:32 PM
FOR ALL THOSE THAT HAVE SERVED THIS GREAT COUNTRY - A Xmas repost from 2 years ago.
'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
AND ON THE WALL, PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBERING THOUGHT CAME TO MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, SO DARK AND SO DREARY,
THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, NOW I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE."
"I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND SOON DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD EVENING'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE, WHISPERED,
"CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
I was too young for Viet Nam and too old for the Gulf.
Yet, when I awoke this morning, I remembered those that have in the past and are currently spending their Christmas far away from their loved ones and sacrificing it all... just so I can hear they joyful screams of my grand daughter, as she opened her presents.
While I will always keep the men and women who are serving our great nation in my prayers, I also wish to thank each and every one of them for giving me the opportunity to enjoy one of life's greatest pleasures... FREEDOM.
May God bless and look over each and every one of you.
Thank you.
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
   
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bluedevil
Expert Class
Posts: 115
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posted December 24, 2004 04:25 PM
I have serverd almost 10yrs active duty and getting ready to retire National Guard early spring for a total of 20yrs. Having been around the military my whole adult life, I can tell you that your words of appreciation is the best gift off all that you can give to a soldier. Thanks for supporting the troops and being a GREAT AMERICAN!
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FP 10R
Expert Class
Fast Learner
Posts: 212
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posted December 26, 2004 05:57 PM
Red,
I suspect we are of simular vintage? Most people are to ready to knock the "Yanks" for what is seen by outsiders as blind Patriotic bullshit!
I see it somewhat differently, the US and Australia are very simular in many ways, but one thing we lack unfortunately is National Pride to any great degree. We both undoubtly live in two of the best countries in the world bar none I just wish Australians would instill a bit more Pride in themselves and their country just like you Yanks do!
We seem to be all to ready to cut anyone off at the knees who pokes their head above mediocrity in this country ( must be all that Convict Pommy blood in our veins ) we need to take a lead from you guys.
Please don't get me wrong I love Australia, but travel overseas and you will see what I mean, There's no place like HOME!
Have a safe 2005.
____________
"Life is not a rehearsal so make the most of it" Carefully
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