12-04-2004, 10:59
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#1
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
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Christmas Thoughts and What Not
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 home did live.
I looked all about
A strange sight I did see.
No tinsel, No presents,
Not even a tree.
No stocking by the mantle,
Just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures
Of far distant lands.
With medals and badges,
Awards of all kinds,
A sober thought
Came through my mind.
For this house was different,
It was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
Once I could 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 pictured
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 grownup 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 wonder
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 my knees
And started to Cry.
The soldier awakened
And I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
This life is my choice."
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
And we both shivered
From the cold nights chill.
I didn't want to leave
On that cold, dark, night,
This guardian of Honor
So willing to fight.
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."
-----------------------------------------
I know its a little early, but to all those that will be standing watch - Merry Christmas and Thank You
__________________
Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.
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NousDefionsDoc is offline
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12-04-2004, 13:34
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#2
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Area Commander
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Midwest
Posts: 7,134
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Never can read this without a lump in my throat.
As NDD said, to all those standing watch a big thank you and a Merry Christmas. You will not be forgotten.
__________________
My Heroes wear camouflage.
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Gypsy is offline
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12-04-2004, 13:38
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#3
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Gun Pilot
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Iowa and New Mexico
Posts: 2,143
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Sneaky:
DAMN!
Still wiping away my tears.
Thanks, brother.
God Bless all who serve.
Terry
__________________
E7-CW3-direct commission VN
B model gunship pilot 65-66 Soc Trang, Cobra Pilot 68-69-70 Can Tho Life member 101st Airborne Association
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CPTAUSRET is offline
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12-04-2004, 13:46
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#4
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Gun Pilot
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Iowa and New Mexico
Posts: 2,143
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NDD:
Who is that attributed to?
Terry
__________________
E7-CW3-direct commission VN
B model gunship pilot 65-66 Soc Trang, Cobra Pilot 68-69-70 Can Tho Life member 101st Airborne Association
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CPTAUSRET is offline
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12-04-2004, 13:52
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#5
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
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Don't know Cap. There wasn't a source where I found it.
__________________
Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.
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NousDefionsDoc is offline
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12-04-2004, 13:54
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#6
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
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__________________
Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.
Still want to quit?
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NousDefionsDoc is offline
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12-04-2004, 13:56
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#7
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Gun Pilot
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Iowa and New Mexico
Posts: 2,143
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Don't know if it's old age, or what, but I just read it again and again I teared up.
Mind if I post it elsewhere?
Terry
__________________
E7-CW3-direct commission VN
B model gunship pilot 65-66 Soc Trang, Cobra Pilot 68-69-70 Can Tho Life member 101st Airborne Association
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CPTAUSRET is offline
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12-04-2004, 14:12
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#8
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
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Help yourself. Lo mio es tuyo.
__________________
Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.
Still want to quit?
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NousDefionsDoc is offline
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12-04-2004, 14:22
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#9
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Gun Pilot
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Iowa and New Mexico
Posts: 2,143
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
Help yourself. Lo mio es tuyo.
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Gracis, mi Hermano.
__________________
E7-CW3-direct commission VN
B model gunship pilot 65-66 Soc Trang, Cobra Pilot 68-69-70 Can Tho Life member 101st Airborne Association
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CPTAUSRET is offline
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12-19-2004, 07:04
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#10
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Area Commander
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MD
Posts: 1,012
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If you really want to get that speck of dust out of your eye, listen to this:
http://www.wlit.com/onair/audio/soldierssilentnight.mp3
(courtesy of Blackfive.net)
Edited to add credit info:
The poem was recorded as a tribute by Father Ted Berndt, a former Marine and Purple Heart recipient during World War II, currently residing in Dousman, Wisconsin for his daughter Ellen Stout, a Clear Channel radio personality.
Last edited by lrd; 12-19-2004 at 07:08.
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lrd is offline
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12-19-2004, 22:12
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#11
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Land of sand and sun.
Posts: 178
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Tribute Slideshow
Mods and Admins,
Sorry if this is not the right place to post this, but this is my first post outside of the introductions thread. Feel free to move it to somewhere more appropriate if you want.
I thought this went along with the spirit of the thread. You should make sure you have sound on when you play it.
Thanks again to all who serve(d). Merry Christmas.
http://www.clermontyellow.accountsup.../UntilThen.swf
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Marvin Blank is offline
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12-20-2004, 06:38
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#12
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 3,045
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Thanks for that Marvin.
__________________
"Are you listening or just waiting to talk?"
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
"Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing."
Optimus Prime
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Kyobanim is offline
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12-20-2004, 09:59
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#13
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
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Fine presentation there Marvin. Fine.
No need to apologize for posting, you'll be counseled if you mess up. Relax a little.
__________________
Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.
Still want to quit?
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NousDefionsDoc is offline
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12-20-2004, 13:48
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#14
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Pacific NW - Puget Sound
Posts: 1,091
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To go along with the thoughts!
__________________
De Oppresso Liber - RLTW
"To make war upon rebellion is messy and slow, like eating soup with a knife" -TE Lawrence.
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Trip_Wire (RIP) is offline
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12-20-2004, 13:53
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#15
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
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Great pic!
__________________
Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.
Still want to quit?
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NousDefionsDoc is offline
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