Merry Xmas

[The Real Slim Shady]

Ladies, Gents.

Regardless of the colour of your uniform may I wish all of you, and your families a very Merry Xmas, even though you may be separated by several thousand miles, serving in some God / Allah forsaken sandpit, and thank you for protecting my liberty.

TRSS

[Chugalug2]

Here, here RSS. Wherever you are, whatever you are (that didn't come out quite as it was meant to :)), here's wishing all of you a really Merry Christmas! As RSS says, thank you all for holding the thin red line, though it would be nice to see it put on some weight in the New Year, eh Des? In the meantime stay safe all of you.

[ArthurR]

Agree with the other 2 posts, not really more to add, but stay safe and come home early :D:ok::D:ok:

[maxburner]

A very Merry Christmas to you all, especially the fine chaps and ladies who sit at the other end of the globe in the Falkland Islands. Been there, done that and I thank you all for standing watch while I enjoy my Christmas break.

God Bless.

DL

[mutleyfour]

Ditto the sentiments:

Ladies and Gentlemen, God Bless you all, stay safe, keep smiling and enjoy the Turkey!

[Bigwings]

Amen to all of the above.

Safe return to you all :ok:

[johnny99]

Sitting here watching the Muppet Christmas Carol with the kids and thinking of you all - times past, good times. May God bless you all, keep you safe and return you home safe and well.

[tezzer]

From a grateful civvy.

I pray that you will all come home safely, and soon.

Many thanks ladies and gentlemen.

[air pig]

As above.

Come home safely.

[Selfloading]

Happy Christmas to you all, keep safe and return home soon.

[benzonar]

Merry Xmas everyone

I found the following on a US blog and although it is aimed at US forces the sentiment remains the same for ours.

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 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 e at.
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."

[Hot Charlie]

A Merry Christmas indeed from Mrs C and I, particularly to those who aren't at home this Christmas.:)

[*Zwitter*]

To all of you chaps and chapesses, from us civvies back home - you are not forgotten - we're thinking of you and thank you for all your efforts.

Be safe and come home soon.

Drinking to YOUR health tonight.
Zwit

[goudie]

Hear Hear!

[Shack37]

I'd like to echo all the sentiments expressed in previous posts. In the words of Dave Allen "May your God go with you"
Stay safe, come home soon.
s37