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FReeper Canteen ~ The Night Before Christmas ~ 21 DEC 2010
Serving The Best Troops And Veterans In The World!! | The Canteen Crew

Posted on 12/20/2010 6:15:17 PM PST by laurenmarlowe

 

 
 

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THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore

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Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

santamouse
10069613A~Visions-of-Sugarplums-Posters The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
catwindow[1]
 

 

reindeer

 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

 
christmas

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

 

 

sleigh

 

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
 
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A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

santa

 

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

 

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

santatop

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

nite-santa[1]

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Please visit our Troops this Holiday Season!

United States Army

United States Coast Guard

United States Marines

United States Navy

United States Air Force

Write A Letter To Our Troops

 

 

 



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; merrychristmas; troopsupport
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To: laurenmarlowe

I know this gets posted every year, but I figured I’d do it once more....

‘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 little house lived.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No Stockings by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
A sobering thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
The home of a soldier, I could now 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 picture 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 wondering 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 one knee and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
“Santa don’t cry, for 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 drifted to sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,
as we both shivered from the cold night’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.

~ Author Unknown *~


21 posted on 12/20/2010 6:30:44 PM PST by hoagy62 (.)
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To: oldteen
Hi Teenie!

Feeling better, still healing though; I'm glad I have some time off.

I hope your Christmas week is going fine!

22 posted on 12/20/2010 6:31:43 PM PST by PROCON (Jesus is the Reason for the Season!)
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To: AZamericonnie
Good evening to you Connie, and Merry Christmas!


23 posted on 12/20/2010 6:32:12 PM PST by laurenmarlowe
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To: SandRat
Indeed he is Sand! Seasons Blessing to you!


24 posted on 12/20/2010 6:34:44 PM PST by laurenmarlowe
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To: 2111USMC
Evenin' Marine! *hugs*

How's life treating you?

25 posted on 12/20/2010 6:34:44 PM PST by oldteen
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To: txradioguy; tongue-tied; SoldierDad; mike1sg; Milo828; mystery-ak; CMS; The Sailor; Jet Jaguar; ...
Honoring Our Heroes

2LT Rebecca USA (Daughter of U S Army EOD)
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
AbnSarge USA
Adam USAF (Grumpybutt)
Allegra
Anoreth USCG (daughter of Tax-chick)
aviator USAF
BIGLOOK USN
Brett USN (CindyDawg)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
Cannoneer No. 4
CAPT Bryan USA (Diver Dave)
CAPT Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline)
CAPT Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou)
Chris USA (amom)
Chuck USA (RightOnline)
COL Mike (gpapa)
CMS USA
ConorMacNessa USN USMC
David USAF (LUV W)
Defender2
Deven USA (Shimmer)
Ethan USMC (georgiabelle)
forgotenknight13 USA (grandson of Monkey Face)
Fred (DocRock)
GulfWar1Vet USA
HiJinx USA
IS2 Brianne USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
IS2 Heather USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
Jade Falcon USN
James USA (Grumpybutt)
JemiansTerror USA (Jemian)
Jet Jaguar USAF
Joel (NEMDF)
Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal)
Josh USN (doug from upland)
Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter)
Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Kevin USMC (skimask)
Kevin and David USA (vigilante2)
Laurita USA
LCpl Carter USMC
LCpl Joe USMC (Don’tMessWithTexas)
Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
LT David (Coldwater Creek)
M1911A1 USMC (M0sby)
M1Tanker
Major Jennifer USA (Diver Dave)
Major joma89 USAF
MEG33's Navy Grandson
Michael USAR (RightOnline)
Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak)
Milo828 USA (mystery-ak)
MSgt Eddie USAF ( Son of ThomasPaine2000, CMSgt USAF, Ret)
MSGT Glen Ignasiak USAF (nephew of AirForceMom)
Nate USN (sneakers)
Old Sarge USA
OneLoyalAmerican USCG
PFC Alan USA (brother-in-law Stonewall Jackson)
PFC Jake USMC (son of Enough_Deceit)
Philetus USA
PROCON USA
Pvt Alex USA (son of Enough_Deceit)
Rick USAF (Doogle)
Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad)
SandRat USA
Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke)
SGT Ev USA (Mozie)
SGT Gray USA (colorcountry’s son)
SGT Robert USMC (MarineMom613)
SGT Sean Reed (preed)
Son USCG (GodBlessUSA)
SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge)
SPC William Akin USA (Step-son of BlueLancer)
SPC4 Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo)
SrA The Black Knight USAF
SSG Brian USA (repubmom)
SSG Dustin USA (SIL of U S Army EOD)
SSG Dusty USA (MountainDad)
SSG Mitchel USA (tina07)
SSG Spencer USA (grame)
SSGT Adam USA (Diver Dave)
SSGT Don May Jr USMC (debm29palms)
SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear)
Stevan USA (Grumpybutt)
Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
The Sailor
TMSuchman USMC
tongue-tied USN/USA
Tonkin USN/USCG
TSGT Jason M Kibler USAF (son of AirForceMom)
SFC txradioguy USA
USAFSecurityForces (son of visualops & TheStickman)
Valerie USAF (Shimmer)
Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline)
William USA (jackv)
WOs Bob and Michelle USA (nephew, and his wife, of BnBlFlag)

 



26 posted on 12/20/2010 6:35:17 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Good evening, Kathy! *hugs*

Busy, busy, busy day?

27 posted on 12/20/2010 6:37:05 PM PST by oldteen
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To: hoagy62
Good evening hoagy62, thank you so much for posting. Seasons Blessings to you.


28 posted on 12/20/2010 6:37:11 PM PST by laurenmarlowe
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To: laurenmarlowe

Thank you.

I’m still feeling down and stressed out.


29 posted on 12/20/2010 6:38:14 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
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To: AZamericonnie
Evenin' Connie! *hugs*

How's the weather down there?

30 posted on 12/20/2010 6:38:18 PM PST by oldteen
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Hi MA! *HUGS*


31 posted on 12/20/2010 6:39:28 PM PST by laurenmarlowe
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To: SandRat
Evenin' Sandy! *hugs*

Another busy day for ya?

32 posted on 12/20/2010 6:39:45 PM PST by oldteen
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To: SandRat

Then an EXTRA big *HUGS* for you Sand.

You are in my prayers.


33 posted on 12/20/2010 6:40:36 PM PST by laurenmarlowe
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To: PROCON
Healing does take time!

Several more days should show great improvement.

Just take it easy...and rest! :)

34 posted on 12/20/2010 6:43:29 PM PST by oldteen
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To: laurenmarlowe

Thank you, Lauren.

35 posted on 12/20/2010 6:44:14 PM PST by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military Men And Women)
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To: laurenmarlowe
Thanks, lauren, for today's The Night Before Christmas.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care..


36 posted on 12/20/2010 6:44:57 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: PROCON

I meant to ask...is the family coming home for Christmas?


37 posted on 12/20/2010 6:45:30 PM PST by oldteen
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To: laurenmarlowe

*HUGS* back atcha!!


38 posted on 12/20/2010 6:47:26 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: PROCON

Hope you’re feeling better, and heal quickly PROCON!

*HUGS*


39 posted on 12/20/2010 6:48:26 PM PST by laurenmarlowe
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To: oldteen

*hugs* teen.

and I’m feeling stressed out and very much down. Almost like I have the weight of the world on my back. Seems like nothing I do is exactly the way it should be in the way that someone else think it should be or in the importance that they think it should be in.


40 posted on 12/20/2010 6:49:20 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
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