Holidays

[bigcountrysg]

While we are spending time with family and friends and loved ones these next few days. Take a moment, and remember those thousands of Soliders, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen/women over seas keeping us safe.

When you are saying grace or giving your meal the blessing. Go ahead and ask for them to be returned to their families and safe. Also ask for them to be kept safe while away from their families.

[bigcountrysg]

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."

" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled..
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Merry Christmas
my friends.....and to all a good night!

[bigcountrysg]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INj75VHjthk

[bigcountrysg]

As we make our Christmas list
during the holiday bliss
let us not forget Al Qedas list

Holiday cheer
of wine and beer
remember the 9/11 fear

As Troops and Soldiers eat MREs
while we fill our bellies with
cake, candies and cookies

While we're warm and cozy
by our fireplace
our Troops bed down on
not such a soft place
truck, humvee and the ground
no complaining to be found

Putting up the Christmas tree
hanging stockings one, two and three
one of my sons is not with me
for he is away making sure we are free

We look for Santa in the sky
they look for mortars flying by
as the snow falls softly to the ground
the dust and dirt whirls around

The giving of ones lives
has broken our hearts
our trust in our Lord sets us apart

We will let no other nation tear us down
we will continue with our boots on the ground
our price of freedom comes with a cost
we morn and honor those whom we have lost

As Rudolph's nose lights Santa's way
children will wake to laugh and play
their mom or dad so far away
only wish they could share this special day

As you tear open your gifts with delight
please remember our Troops and
Soldiers continue to fight
if not for them we might not
have this wonderful Christmas night

My son is so far away
I miss him so much everyday
proud as can be I watch Fox News on TV
for a glimpse of a look that I might see
his handsome face looking back at me

On this special Christmas Day
count your blessings as the
Troops and Soldiers make the way
for us to say
"We are proud Americans and we're here to stay

[bigcountrysg]

T'was the night before Christmas,
And all through the Corps,
Not a soul had liberty,
And the troops were all sore.

We were all sacked out,
Every man in the lot,
In the bed of spikes
Called a Marine Corps cot.

When out on the lawn
There arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed
To see what was the matter
Completely out of breath,
I hid behind the door,
And with a pounding heart
I waited for more.

A roly-poly figure
Appeared on the scene,
And to my surprise it was
The Commandant of Marines

Yes it was the Commandant,
There was no doubt,
He was wearing a poncho,
Green side out

He tiptoed around
To each man's rack,
And carefully inspected
Each rifle and pack.

To a chosen few,
A ninety-six chit!
But to the majority,
A ration of ****

As he pulled away, in his gold plated tank,
Pulled by ten colonels,
All bucking for rank, I heard him say,
As he said with a shout,

Merry Christmas you Jarheads
you'll never get out!!!

[bigcountrysg]

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.

I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for 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."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

[bigcountrysg]

Each year when Christmas comes around again,
I pause on Christmas Eve to take a dram
Of whisky, and I think of absent friends,
And Christmas in a place called Vietnam.

I think of boys who never had the chance
To see their kids on Christmas Eve at play,
Their lives were spent that freedom might advance,
From Valley Forge right up through yesterday.

They fell at Belleau Wood and Normandy,
At Gettysburg, at Iwo and at Hue,
They gave their lives to keep our people free,
And never saw another Christmas Day.

So take a moment from your festive joys,
To think of soldiers who were young and true,
And say a prayer on Christmas Eve for boys
Who gave up all their Christmases for you.

[95dieselsmoke]

I only have time to read the first couple posts tonight... will read the others tomorow for sure. I always think about those overseas/in another part of the country that will not be able to join their families during the holidays. Its because of them, that I am able to be here with my family. God bless the armed forces.

[thesmokinstroke02]

merry christmas bigcountry. from one michigander to another

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by thesmokinstroke02

merry christmas bigcountry. from one michigander to another

You too man stay safe these next couple days. Sounds like our weather is going to get nasty.