To all the men and women in the armed forces, and to the Trad Gang members who have served, or who are serving, or who have family members serving and protecting this free and beautiful nation of ours. . . God bless you and thank you from the bottom of my heart. May you have a safe and joyous holiday season.
Thank you for starting this thread. I second Stykbowslim's sentiments. Thank each and every one of you serving our country. One of my best friends was just deployed. Has a wonderful wife and 3 beautiful children at home doing there part to support their dad and his men.
God bless,Mudd
Thanks stykbowslim. I hope you have a joyous holiday season as well. God bless. Rooster
Well said!
Thank you, Happy Holidays, and return home safely.
To all that served and are serving now! Merry Christmas! May the Good Lord watch over and keep you and your families safe!
Johnny/JAG
I'll drink to that.
THANKS for your support!!
May you have a safe and joyous holiday season, too.
SP4 Patti
6th/112th 49th Lone Star
Happy holidays, thanks, and your welcome. It was an honor to be able to serve my country and all the great americans who patronize this site
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and a happy holidays to all who spent a long, cold night on the line, defending freedom.
Salute!
Just finished my year in Iraq, our Military is doing great things there. Their sacrifice is our Freedom. Happy Holidays
God Bless all! Best wishes during this holiday season. Thank you all...
Styklim said it good. God Bless.
God Bless you,I would like to add they defend the freedom of the entire world with your Allies.
Thanks Guys - this really means a lot especially to us guys that are away from our family this time of year. Iraq is not where I would choose to be for the Holidays. It's hard -missing my wife and daugher - this is my 4th deployment to the middle east and I have an 11 year old daughter - I have only made it to 5 of her 11 B'day and only been home for 6 of her Christmas's. I will be glad when I can pass this torch!
Get some big ones for us guys not able to hunt this season! We have to live through you guys!
Keith
agreed, God bless them all
Hoist your glass for I propose a toast.
Here's to those who risk the most!
To our warriors who in harms way roam, and to the their families who wait at home!
For in your stead their boots are firmly planted.
May we never forget... through their sacrifice is our freedom is granted.
Jim Richards
2009
Merry Christmas to you all.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to those who protect our freedom!
Just like to say to all the man & women out there who protect our freedom. Thank you so much and God Bless..Thank you for doing what you do..
I don't know of any other group of people who are as under-appreciated or under-recognized as those who serve. For those who have served, Thank you and God bless you. For all those who are deployed and in harms way, Thank you, and God speed.
Ron
Yep you guys and girls that serve our country are the tip of the sword.
Amen
To all those who are serving and all those who have served so we may enjoy the freedom we have,Merry Christmas and may god bless you all.
Thank You. Merry Christmas
As one who serves, I thank all of you for your support! As long as there is one, it will never have been in vain!
Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year! :thumbsup:
A heart felt thank you from all on behalf of my wife and myself!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!
Thank you to all our men and women in uniform where ever they are in this world. May you all find your way safely home.
Merry Christmas!
Thank You, to any and All who take a minute to think of those in Uniform.
To my brothers and sisters; Semper Fi,Hoo-yah, Hoo-ah and whatever you Airman and Coasties shout!!
Mery Christmas and be safe.
As the dad of a Marine, thank you for showing support. Makes my days easier knowing you guys are thinking about him and all of his comrades.
Makes my day to hear thanks given to those putting it all on the line everyday.
Merry Christmas to all.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
To the top... for those who protected my freedom and for those who have payed the ultimate price.
Alot on here have "been there, done that", and realize what it's like, being in a war zone on Christmas!! SUX BIG TIME !! Thank You All, God Bless and protect, Merry Christmas..
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 Chris tmas '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."
semper Fi...marco
Thanks and God Bless to all that have served and for all that are serving!!!!
That poem gave me chills. My family and I do love our soliders (past,present,future) and appreciate everything that they do to protect our freedoms. To all of you Merry Christmas and be safe. The Davis Family. :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Merry Christmas to all of our service men and women. Spent a few Christmas days on duty myself while in the Navy way back when...
All of my best to you all...
:thumbsup:
I have a co-worker who lost a son in this current war in Iraq about 18 months ago. He is so proud of his late son. He told me how proud he is that his son died doing something he felt so strongly about and was willing to back it up. I have so much respect and admiration for, and am so grateful for the men and women who put it all on the line in defense of our great country. It is because of these fine men and women that we can enjoy the liberties we have. There is not enough Thanks in the world to express how much we appreciate our servicemen and women. May God bless the USA and those who in the past, present, and future, protect the freedom we love so dearly.