The Freeper Foxhole - Christmas 2006 - December 25th, 2006

[snippy_about_it]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


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U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

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Merry Christmas Everyone



As we celebrate another Christmas in the United States, please take a moment to remember those that gave up spending Christmas with their family and friends so that we may enjoy our Christmas in peace.


********

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."

---

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FReeper Foxhole Armed Services Links

[Samwise]

It sounds like you had a nice Christmas. I'm so glad.

We had a nice one, too. My tension level lowered immediately when dinner was finally ready and we all sat down at the table. :^)

[snippy_about_it]

Beautiful red head of hair!

Strange neighbors.

Plenty of food to go around. Usually ends up around my waist!

[snippy_about_it]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[snippy_about_it]

Hey! I know Sam and I need a new purse. What a coincidence. Bittygirl is growing fast.

[snippy_about_it]

Cool new gun but who is that PUPPY?! Can I have it?

[Professional Engineer]

The puppy is Cole. He's Msdrby's brother's pooch.

[alfa6]

Bounces: 523
Lost eyes: 9
Score: 7,724,242

Yippe Kay Aye

Take that Black Bart :-)

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[Soaring Feather]

LOL!

[snippy_about_it]

LOL. Finally got a chance to play, eh?

Bounces: 317
Lost eyes:16
Score: 7,501,015

It cost me a lot more eyes!

[snippy_about_it]

He's adorable.

[Professional Engineer]

[Peanut Gallery]

That puppy is a miracle puppy. He had parvo, and while on the medication for that he came down with pneumonia. As of Christmas, he was recovering from kennel cough. He's gonna make it! (And he is a real cutie - fell asleep on my chest and let me carry him around and all.) A few years ago Spiderboy had an 8 wk old Rotty mix die from parvo. He was MUCH smaller than Cole.

My brother says he is part German Shepherd and part Rottweiler.

[Professional Engineer]

Seems some Texans were there...

[Professional Engineer]

[Wneighbor]

Uh.... that's a pretty weird spot for muh country's flag. But, better than looking at the piece of $#!+ under the flag though ain't it? :-)

We're a sittin' in Alabama watching for the execution pics. Woo Hoo!!! Jill's makin' fudge. We'll have a drink soon as he's hung. :-)

[Professional Engineer]

Been watching thsi thread since lunch time.

Saddam Hussein Hanging LIVE Thread

Posted by AVNevis On News/Activism 12/29/2006 11:11:00 AM CST · 4,091 replies · 138,729+ views Since it now seems very imminent, I decided that it was an appropriate time to start this up. Links to information and pictures (if we get them) can be posted here.

[snippy_about_it]

Parvo is nasty stuff. Glad he's going to make it. I'm jealous you got to carry him around, he looks perfect for cuddling!

[Peanut Gallery]

(I have more puppy pictures...)

[Soaring Feather]

Happy New Year,
to The FOXHOLE!!

[snippy_about_it]

(I have more puppy pictures...)

Waiting......