I Salute the members of our Armed Forces - Merry Christmas

Sharpster · December 18, 2009, 08:44:00 PM

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

joevan125 · December 18, 2009, 08:49:00 PM

Yep you guys and girls that serve our country are the tip of the sword.

sou-pawbowhunter · December 18, 2009, 08:52:00 PM

Amen

limbolt · December 18, 2009, 08:53:00 PM

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.

Warden609 · December 18, 2009, 09:16:00 PM

Thank You. Merry Christmas

Wannabe1 · December 18, 2009, 09:16:00 PM

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!

Bowhunter4life · December 19, 2009, 03:31:00 AM

A heart felt thank you from all on behalf of my wife and myself!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

misfire · December 19, 2009, 09:11:00 AM

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!

Billy · December 19, 2009, 09:18:00 AM

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.

Robert Honaker · December 19, 2009, 12:31:00 PM

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.

Pepper · December 19, 2009, 12:45:00 PM

Merry Christmas to all.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Stykbowslim · December 20, 2009, 10:31:00 AM

To the top... for those who protected my freedom and for those who have payed the ultimate price.

Buckwheaties · December 20, 2009, 11:55:00 AM

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..

David Holt · December 20, 2009, 11:55:00 AM

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."

bayoulongbowman · December 20, 2009, 11:57:00 AM

semper Fi...marco

Kenneth · December 20, 2009, 02:17:00 PM

Thanks and God Bless to all that have served and for all that are serving!!!!

Brad Davis · December 20, 2009, 02:25:00 PM

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.

Paul/KS · December 20, 2009, 05:28:00 PM

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...

BigDaddy Jimbo · December 20, 2009, 07:19:00 PM

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.