Merry Christmas and Holiday Greetings

[sewerman]

wishing the mods & all members a merry christmas & properous new year!

sincerely,

sewerman

[Buzzcook]

May Santa or his designated substitute bring you the present you want.

[.284]

I have to say regardless of an occasional heated debate, This is a pretty dog gone good place to hang out and talk about our passion. It really doesn't matter if you're a hunter, handloader, benchrest/match gunner, and so on.....we all are bound togehter by our love of firearms. Having been an active member now for about a year and a half, I'd like to say you're all a great group of guys and gals. Happy holidays to all.

Jeff

[luckysedem]

Merry christmas to everybody!!!

[Gunner69]

I generally post this on the various forums that I frequent and thought that I would share it with my TFL friends...



http://www.iwvpa.net/marksm/a-soldie.php



A SOLDIER’S CHRISTMAS
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 eye 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, “It’s 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 sisters and brothers
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To insure 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.”



©Copyright December 7, 2000 by Michael Marks

Author’s Note: In loving appreciation of the countless Americans who have, and continue to serve in the Armed Forces and those who gave their life for their country. Your sacrifices will never be forgotten. We look forward to the day you come home. God bless and keep you always, and God Bless America.

A Soldier’s Christmas was the first in this series of patriotic writings, drafted on Pearl Harbor Day 2000 when in the wake of the 2000 Presidential Election our nation saw the right of US Armed Forces personnel openly questioned and debated. I felt it unconscionable that at the onset of the Christmas season, those serving to defend our nation would hear anything but our love and support. It is our challenge to stand for their rights at home while they stand for our lives and safety overseas. This poem went out and quickly spread around the world in emails, letters, and magazines. I received letters from Marines in Bosnia, soldiers in Okinawa, from a submariner who xeroxed a copy for everyone on his sub. Moms wrote, dads, brothers and sisters. I have saved and cherish every letter and set out to continue writing throughout the year.

During this Holiday Season please keep our fighting men and women in your prayers.



Merry Christmas to all... And a Very Happy New Year

[egor20]

T'was 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 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 disorder
not how i pictured,
a true soldier.

Was this the hero,
of whom i'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?

I realised 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 grownups 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

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
my life is my god,
my country, my corps.."

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 night's chill.

I did not want to leave,
on that cold, dark, night,
this guardian of honor
so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over,
with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "carry on Santa,
its 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."


This poem was written by a Peacekeeping soldier stationed overseas. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable.

"PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to all of the service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe.
Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed."

[Bud Helms]

Threads merged.

All Merry Christmas posts will be merged here with this thread that has the earliest start date.

Bud

[Waldog]

I want to wish a Merry Christmas to all dedicated shooters everywhere. Every shooter I have ever met is friendly, "ready to help" and, eager to share his passion with anyone. Irregardless of their respective interests; Revolver shooters, 1911 shooters, Bolt action shooters or Semi-auto rifle shooters, we all share a friendly common bond. I hope that we can all have a Merry Christmas with family and friends and look forward to a prosperous and productive new year!!

[DiscoRacing]

Merry Xmas Waldog... but hey...
...
... how does a person know if they are dedicated or not??!!!

... just wonder if I qualify.

[ipscchef]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND A HAPPY AND JOYFUL NEW YEAR!!
God Bless us, each and every one

Bill "Willy" Henderson

[Waldog]

Disco!
If you LIKE to shoot!
If you enjoy shooting!
If you have taught someone to shoot!
If you believe in the U.S. Constitution and the Second Amendment!
If you own ONE gun and want others!
If you DON'T own a gun but want others!
If you know what "Boat Tail" is!
If you know what "Controlled feed" is
If you know what 2400, HP38, 4895 and 4831 is!
If you know what "short cut" is!
If you know what "neck turning" is!
If you know what a matchlock is!

The list goes on and on.

If you know any of these, your a dedicated shooter!

Keep your Powder Dry! Merry Christmas!

[DiscoRacing]

Guess IM MORE than qualified... tkx.

[m&p45acp10+1]

Mery Christmas everyone.
To keep it firearms related. Look at some of the stuff Santa left under my reloading bench.

[DiscoRacing]

Great Idea... I DIDNT look UNDER the bench...

... Maybe Santy didnt forget me this yr.

[Sarge]

Merry Christmas and blessings to you all!

[Stevie-Ray]

God's blessings to you all this Holiday Season and for the coming New Year.

Merry Christmas!

Steve and Pat Rehahn

[Legionnaire]

Merry Christmas to all, and God's blessings in the New Year.

Shoot straight, one and all!

[6shot]

may everyone have a safe and merry christmas

[KevininPa]

........Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

[Sand Creek Kennels]

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TXAZ]

May your holiday be safe, happy and joyful for each of you and your family.

[kraigwy]

66 years ago this Christmas, these young paratroopers held out for 8 days at the little town of Bastogne. 8 days...............same number as the number of rounds in the clip to their rifle.

God Bless all our soldiers who stand their ground this Christmas season.

[old bear]

Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

[Andy Taylor]

Merry Christmas to all!

[DRBoyle]

Season's greetings to all