Remember our Men and Women of the Military serving near and far

Gary


May we always remember them.
A Different Christmas Poem
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." PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One Al Taqqadum, Iraq

A Christmas Poem

Twas the Night Before Christmas--for the Parentless.. ...Twas the night before Christmas and all through the landthere are parentless children, with no toys in handNo stockings to be hung by the chimny with careno hopes for a family soon to be thereTheir beds are not snug--but cold and quite barethere are no goodnight kisses--no one to careWhile we in our homes, laughing in delightall settle down for a Merry Chistmas Eve nightWhen in someone's heart--there arises a clatterthere are children in need--who's lives really DO matter!Away to the computer please go in a flashto see the sweet face with whom YOU could be matched!While a child you see--their beautiful face all aglowcould this be MY child--could I already know??When in the dreams of the orphan--what always appearsis a family to love them, to care and hold dearAs you stare at that child--your heart beats real quick--for you know in your heart that sweet face will stickMore dreams sweet children have--to call parents by name-come mama! come daddy! come family to claim!To the ends of the earth--your heart seems to callnow child--I'm coming--I wish for you ALL!So on a plane to your child--over rooftops you flewto hold this dear soul--a wish did come trueAnd then in a twinkling-I saw through the doorthis child of my heart-that was waiting no moreAs I got my camera and was turning around-into my arms did he come with a bound!He was dressed in many layers from his head to his footand into my heart his life was just putthere was no round face--no plump little bellyjust sad little eyes, and legs shaking like jellyIn a swirl of a pen, and a stamp and a sealmy world became brighter--like I could suddenly feel!We spoke not a word--they weren't needed at alland I knew in this moment where I got this callGod layed his hands on my heart--and to the occasion I roseand He could do it for you--this question He'll pose.....It won't be a shout--no not even a whistleit won't be real clear--but faint like a whisperCan you make room in your heart--if you try with your might?And make a difference for one--help them see the light?I can see you exclaim as you hold your child tight--Thank you Lord for this gift--you got it EXACTLY right!

By Amy Dinnitello

Grateful

Sometimes things happen which make you grateful for many things. Sometimes it makes you reflect on what matters and what you want in life.

Christmas is such a time and I feel grateful for family and friends.

NOW IF I COULD JUST DECIDE WHAT PATH I SHOULD TAKE