A Few of FR's Finest...Every Day...12/16-18/05 ....Christmas In The Heart

Sgt. Rodney Murray, Freema & GodBlessUSA

[GodBlessUSA]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay or a profile of another FReeper.

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, Dolly Cali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

We received the following in FR mail from freema last week and wanted to share it with you today.

"The following poem was written by a local soldier, Sgt. Rodney A. Murray on December 16, 2003. He collected toys for Iraqi children, and taught at our high school for two days before getting called up. His wife is one of the sweetest women I've ever had the pleasure to meet.

Rodney was killed on Mother’s Day, 2004, in a vehicle accident between Baghdad and Scania when his Humvee was sideswiped by a passing tank.

Rodney joined the Army Reserves in July of 2000 and was called to Iraq on February 11, 2003. Rodney left on February 14. Ten months later he was able be with his wife on

December 16, just in time to celebrate their three-year wedding anniversary and wrote the following poem. Rodney left again on December 30."

In Memory Of Sgt. Rodney A. Murray


All I want for Christmas is to see my wife,
Friends and family, be at home, that's all.
The young soldier really meant it.
And a bit of guilt he did feel
Of having his miracle come true;
Though not enough to change his plan;
With no kids to play Santa to, yet,
Some with such would have to stay.
Of all such days, Holiest of Holy,
Every soldier, every national, every vulnerable Citizen of this ravaged land
We claim to help should be able to celebrate.
But cold mornings in a lonely guard shack,
Riding lonely desolate supply routes
Tries to deny the celebratory mood.
And chaos and beastly acts alike
Try to rid others of a celebration of sorts.
A ruthless dictator captured
Becomes a festive celebration to some.
While others will avoid, hopefully,
Festive ending fiasco
In loss of life and will.
That's how they'll spend Christmas
If only that reason to celebrate.
Others cling to hope as their Yule Tide;
Hope for home soon from a foreign land,
Hope for a home,
Civilization in a lack luster land,
Hope for a difference one made
Or hope just to make it out alive, another day.
But it's guaranteed, the soldiers who
Have to stay in an Unsilent Night,
A non Holy Night,
Will instinctively glance at their watches,
When subtracting eight equals twenty-fifth at home.
And they'll silently utter Merry Christmas
From the heart to spouses and brothers,
Friends, loved ones, fathers and mothers.
But there's the rub. Like you at home,
All nestled and nice, calm and comfy,
They'll have Christmas in the Middle East.
For it will be in the heart, in grateful
Honor and remembrance of that Holy Night,
When the world received the greatest gift,
Wrapped in Hope, Grace, Mercy, In Love,
For all mankind.
Such will have Christmas
In their hearts, where it should be.
While others in that land,
The one promised to Abraham's seed
Will know nothing of it.
For they must of followed Ischmael's seed
Instead of Issac's.
No Christmas for them.
Can they even tell you their "Messiah's" birthday?
Death date would probably be easier,
But they'll claim to tell you what he wants
You to do to get to Heaven, maybe even
Doing away with ones that follow
That First Noel-
Cause in it you do nothing to get to Heaven,
Save receive the gift,
The Christ in Christmas.
So, you don't take for granted this Holy Season,
And grumble for lack of parking spaces.
Don't let crowds confound you
Or busy bustle bring a frown to you.
Love the busy schedule of family and friends,
Give in honor of the birth of Him who gave
You All.
Remember, some won't have Christmas,
And some will have it merely in their hearts.
Merry Christmas Rodney Murray ~ 12-16-2003

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-12-05 Military Monday 12-13-05 Finest Christmas Tables, Part II 12-14-05 Finest Christmas Tables, Part II, cont'd 12-15-05 Dems to U.S. Troops: It's not too late to lose! But time's running out.

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[GodBlessUSA]

I Pledge Alligence To the Flag
Of The United States of America
And to the Republic
For Which it Stands
One Nation Under God
Indivisible
with Liberty and Justice for All

[GodBlessUSA]

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' from Nutcracker Suite

Enya (instrumental) ~ Oh Holy Night

Trans Siberian Orchestra ~ Carol of the Bells

Manheim steamroller ~ Irish Celtic Harp ~ Greensleeves

Bing Crosby & David Bowie ~ Peace on Earth

Sleigh Ride

Jim Reeves ~ Elf Soundtrack ~ Jingle Bells

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & The London Symphony Orchestra ~ The First Noel

Andre Bocelli ~ Silent Night

[luvie]

GB, your table is just beautiful and that poem is certainly a Hanky Alert if I ever read one! God rest his precious soul! Thanks for the hard work you put into this beautiful work, and the pledge, too! Thanks for being here to make the Finest what it is!! ((((hugs))))

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Luv
It is such a touching poem. Very much a hankie alert.
I really appreciate your saying such kind words:)

[luvie]

(((hugs))))...you did good!

[Old Grumpy]

Wow, the poem and the beautiful Christmas music - what a great way to handle an insomnia attack. Thank you.

[GodBlessUSA]

Thanks Old Grumpy
I hope you can get some sleep soon. Enjoy the music. :)

[MEG33]

Wonderful poem and music. Thank you!

May God be with our troops and their famililies who wait at home this Christmas and all the year through.

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Meg!
Thanks. Happy Friday to you! How are you today? It's rainy here but it's no longer in the single digits. It's 40 degrees. Yippee. :)

[DollyCali]

What a lovely job you have done GeeBee.. a great thread honoring a wonderful man, on to his reward, who typifies so much of the heart and soul of not only Christmas but the American spirit..

The music ping is nice. I will try to play a few today. Haven't had radio/music on this week. Will try to stop in now & then ... depending..

Thank you sistah!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good Morning GB.
{{HUGS}}

Wonderful thread.

Lovely poem by Sgt.Murray.~sniff,sniff~

May he rest in peace.

[GodBlessUSA]

Thank you Dolly! :)
It's neat that the anniversary of the day Sargent Murry wrote this poem, the Iraqi elections were held. Exactly what his brave service was for, Freedom. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Mrs. N!
Thanks, :)
How are you today?

[Mrs.Nooseman]

I am doing okay,still a little tired.:)

How are you this fine morning?

[freema]

Merry Christmas!
A beautiful, beautiful day to you!

[GodBlessUSA]

The same as you. LOL!
I hope you have a quick smooth day at ****.

[GodBlessUSA]

Merry Christmas freema!
Thank you! I was so proud to post this thread. You have a beautiful day too. :)

[Mrs.Nooseman]

So do I.

One more week of the shopping madness and then it should be over with and things should settle down.

[GodBlessUSA]

That will be so nice. I can't wait until you are back to your regular programmed schedule. :) I miss you and it's just to exhausting for you to return at night after such a long hectic day. :)

[Mrs.Nooseman]

I keep hoping they'll let us go back to our regular schedule sooner,but that doesn't seem to happen.