FReeper Canteen ~ Road Trip: Fort Rucker, Alabama ~ 24 DEC 2013

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | laurenmarlowe

[Jet Jaguar]

Prayers up.

[MEG33]

With Deep Gratitude
Christmas Blessings To Our Armed Forces, Our Veterans
And Their Families

Please Click.."A Soldier's Christmas" by Michael Marks

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.
**
God Bless And Keep Safe Those Who Stand Watch For Us

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*HUG*
Thank you, Cyber son!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[MEG33]

O God, please guide Ashley’s doctors as they treat her. Place your healing hands on her, Dear Lord, and give her strength.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayer warriors.....

FReeper mainleydawn's daughter, Ashley, needs prayers for bad burns.

[Kathy in Alaska]

No matter how many times I listen/read this, the result is the same...tears of pride for our military men and women.

Thanks for posting it. ((HUGS))

[MEG33]

Thank you, Kathy..I feel the same way.
(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers sent for Ashley and her doctors, as well as you, Dawn, and your families.

Fight On!! - click

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good merry almost Christmas Eve, Pro...((HUGS))

Is school out now? Do you have vacation projects?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Connie, and thank you for the tributes to our troops. *HUGS*

Ready? Everything in its place?

[MoochPooch]

Weather was surprisingly warm Sunday. Now it’s getting cold (again).

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Marine...((HUGS))...all ready for Christmas?

Work is a zoo....the whole payroll has to be done by noon Tuesday instead of late Wednesday. Nose to the grindstone.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Stay warm! Do you have snow?

We were up to 30 yesterday...right now it is -1.

The whole winter has been like this...up/down/up/down.

25 is nice....and stay there all winter would be good. LOL!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. Thanks for this morning's thread, Lauren. How's it going?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))....hope your ice is all gone and power is restored everywhere.

Merry Christmas Eve to you and Bo.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Thanks, unique, for the pastries.

Coffee is always on........

How about a donut?

Cookies?

Veggies?

Snacks?

[Kathy in Alaska]

God bless and keep safe our troops worldwide.

Good night.

Statler Brothers ~ How Great Thou Art

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers for safe travel to and fro.