[Billie]

Good morning! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

[Mudboy Slim]

Howdy...MUD

[FreeTheHostages]

St.Louie1, the mugsy story is so funny!

Aquamarine, "Cornbread Dressing with Bacon and Pecans" -- you had me already at the title. Thanks, I'm going to try that.

[lodwick]

Well, this one was worth the interminable wait - thanks for the memories, stories, and receipe guys. Excellent Billie, thank you.

[xJones]

Ah Christmas memories. I have a younger brother who did better than the Grinch. When he was five, we lovingly decorated the Christmas tree and handed him the last ornament to hang. He stood on the end of a couch and fell into the tree, knocking it over and busting old family ornaments.

But he excelled on Christmas morning, 6 a.m. Mom had bought Dad a lovely new bowling ball with bag. Little brother woke up before everyone else, unwrapped the bag, took out the bowling ball and rolled it down the hall to the one and only bathroom we had. The little bugger then picked up the bowling ball, and dropped it in the toilet. It sounded like a bomb went off. Our poor father ran in and lovingly picked up his poor scratched bowling ball from the remains of the busted toilet. Do you know how much fun it is to find a plumber on Christmas morning? LOL! Little brother did a lot of things, but that was his Christmas surprise.

[WVNan]

Excellent Billie! This is going to be a great thread. So....what are you doing in your spare time? LOL.

[jwfiv]

Good morning, Billie. Another beautiful job by you to greet our day.

Good morning to our Mama_Bear, Miss Daisy and the DansDevil...betcha Santa is already getting ready his special Hostesses' duffle bag full of gifts for y'all.

Really enjoy the Christmas memories this morning, an excellent idea.

[daisyscarlett]

Thank you for presenting these wondeful Christmas memories from some of our Finest FRiends....The graphics are beautiful....the vignettes, the pledge and the hostess welcome, too...(thanks Nan)

Merry Christmas! DaisyScarlett

[Mixer]

Last week I forgot about two "FReeper Anniversaries" Sorry I am late with wishing Texaggie79 and Aeronaut a Happy Anniversary.

Hope everyone has enjoyed reading through the stories that are posted here today. I think they are all great and will read through them again as Christmas time draws nearer. I will also print them out and share one each with a different family member when we have them over for Christmas Eve.

Have a great Day Everyone

[ladtx]

In memory of my fellow Vietnam helicopter pilots who were killed in that war the following were lost on DEC 16th. God bless them all.

1967 2LT Charles D. Kerr (USMCR) -- US Marine Corps, Age 21, Stamford, Connecticut
1967 WO1 Thomas R. King (USAR) -- 170 AHC, Age 19, Hyattsville, Maryland
1969 CW2 Oscar L. Brittenum Jr. (USAR) -- 336 AHC, Age 22, Chicago, Illinois
1969 WO1 Michael J. Drake (USAR) -- A/25 AVN 25 INF, Age 21, Royal Oak, Michigan
1969 WO1 Leonard J. Sugimoto (USAR) -- A/25 AVN 25 INF, Age 22, Gardena, California
1969 WO1 James E. Hayes (USAR) -- 235 AVN, Age 22, Miami, Florida
1969 CW2 Sven S. Mason (USAR) -- 235 AVN, Age 21, Littleton, Coloradoa
1970 WO1 Fred A. Williams (USAR) -- 358 AVN DET, Age 29, Roseboro, North Carolina
1970 CPT John J. Wilson (USAR) -- 101 ABN, Age 24, Davenport, Iowa

On a personal note: CW2 Oscar L. Brittenum was in my unit, the 336th Assault Helicopter Company. He was in our gun platoon, the "Thunderbirds" (T-birds as we called them), while I was in one of the slick platoons. He was a well-liked, personable, professional officer, and respected aviator. It was his memorial service that served as the inspiration for my poem, THE CHAPEL BELL'S LAST CLANG.

Excerpt from poem:

We’ve tasted it; we all know it, fear’s tang.
Bitter and sweet, that fruit of the battlefield.
We all wait for the chapel bell’s last clang.

For the crew we mourn, the chapel bell rang.
Taps in the darkness, no tear is concealed.
It’s night outside the chapel at Soc Trang.
We all wait for the chapel bell’s last clang

The memorial service bulletin for CW2 Brittenum.

Unit patch of the 336th Assault Helicopter Company, the unit in which I proudly served with CW2 Brittenum.

IN THE SHADOW OF THE BLADE

SCOUTS OUT!

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Billie.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Outstanding thread!!! One of your BEST!

Morning, BillieBlue. : )

You're the tops, babe! : )

[Mama_Bear]

Lovely thread today, Billie.

Holiday Hugs to my Sistahs. Now, I'm off to run some errands.

[JulieRNR21]

I loved all your Christmas stories! Reading them has triggered cherished memories of past Christmases for me!

Louie....what a naughty boy.....poor Muggsy.....good thing that cats have nine lives....LOL

Here's a wonderful site to share with your family & friends:

http://home.austarnet.com.au/eebee/jacquielawson/xmas2001.htm

Special Thanks to Mama_Bear for this Christmas Georgio.....

[JustAmy]

I've been enjoying this thread, Billie. (I've read most of the thread so now I will try to do some posting.

WVNan ..... Loved your Uncle John story. Reminded me that it's the tough ones that enjoy life and live it to the fullest.

Pippin ...... Your story about your dedication to you faith proved why you are so loved.

DiverDave ............ Your first Christmas spent on a ship away from your new wife was pleasant and funny. You remindeed us of our military who are away from home for the holidays.

Aquamarine ..... Your recipes sound wonderful; I'm going to try the dressing, what the heck I may try both of them. LOL

Bro .... I think I found the picture of Muggsy ..

That story sounded just like my Hooligan Brother!

[dutchess]

Billie...how touching and fun today is!

WVNan...I loved the touched up photo of you and Uncle John. Bet that's one he is going to cherish and I bet a copy of that in a frame would make a great present! (p.s. you will have freepmail shortly!)

Just Amy. Loved your story and I think creating new traditions will help you through your loss PLUS will mean so much to your cousins, nieces and nephews. Since my mom's only sister died four years ago we've had the family Christmas at our house the weekend before and include her two sons, wives, and their collective 6 kids as well as my immediate family. It has meant so much to them and us....

DiverDave...loved your story...Hopefully some of our currently deployed military will have such fun

Aquamarine....both recipes sound yummy....We're having our after family celebration brunch next Sunday....am definately doing the coffee cake!!!

and....last but not least....loved your story "wolfie"....Our 14 year old cat has decided that Mr. D.'s clothes left on the floor is his own little litter box...and as I shared your story with him...we both thought...maybe...but then again NOT. Anyway...nice getting to know you!

[The Mayor]

Hi Billie, I just wanted to let you know that I'm still here!

Merry Christmas

[firewalk]

Thanks for the ping Billie

Hope everyone's been having a nice day (-:

[LadyX]

What a wonderful, wonderful thread today!
Late coming here, shopping and getting ready for company, and I took the time to go through all of it.

Everyone has done such a beautiful job of sharing memories and showing appreciation!

Special Hugs to you, Billie, for all you do - and for what you bring out in other persons.
We could not say that often enough.