FReeper Canteen ~ Christmas with our Commander-in-Chief ~ 13 Dec 2005

A White House Christmas 2005

All information taken from http://www.whitehouse.gov .

WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!



This year’s theme has been chosen to highlight the beauty to be found in nature. Our emphasis for this holiday season is on some of the many ways that plants, trees, fruit and flowers can be the stars of holiday decorating. The members of the White House Executive Residence staff and floral designers from across the country have worked tirelessly and creatively to make the White House reflect the wonders of nature’s bounty. Our thanks go to all whose deft hands and willing hearts have helped to transform many lovely ideas into reality. We hope your own holiday season is made brighter by your coming to be part of ours!







Gingerbread House

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small;
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all. *

* Words: Cecil F. Alexander, Hymns for Little Children, 1848. Music: “Royal Oak,” 17th Century English melody.

Trees and Messages for our Troops!

FedEx Teams with Christmas Spirit Foundation
on Trees for Troops Program

Excerpts from messages to the troops from the Trees for Troops website:

12/9/2005 10:44:25 PM
Grace, Pittsburgh, PA

From my family to all of you, may you have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas, and return soon safely to your loved ones. Bless you for your service.

12/9/2005 12:16:41 PM
Rebecca, Frederick, MD

Have a happy holiday season! We will be thinking of you this year. We are so greatful for your service to our country. Keep up the good work!! Warmly, Rebecca

12/8/2005 6:45:26 PM
Freelove S, BRIDGEPORT, NEBRASKA

In the spirit of the season there is little I can do to thank you for what you have been and are doing for our country. Please know that my thoughts and prayers will be with you through out the holiday season. Be assured that my appreciation will NOT end when holidays are past. I shall be mindful of your heroic efforts until the day that the last of the troops have returned to the United States. GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU NOW and FOREVER

12/8/2005 5:17:03 PM
Jon, Ithaca, NY

To All US troops, especially those on the front lines: Thank You for your service! I pray that you will be safe as you perform your missions. God Bless All of You!

12/6/2005 9:49:15 AM
MARILYN, Thornwood, NY

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FROM ALL OF US BACK HOME - WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO FOR ALL OF US!!!!!

12/6/2005 9:48:13 AM
MARILYN, THORNWOOD, NY

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THANK YOU ALL FROM ALL OF US AT HOME!!!!!

12/6/2005 8:06:00 AM
Debbie, Putnam Valley, NY

Thank you for what you are doing. You are in our prayers this Christmas.

12/6/2005 1:08:32 AM
Susie, Fontana, California

Thank you for your service to this good old USA of ours. Your sacrifice is so very much appreciated (don't listen to the Big Media B.S. - we don't!). We regular citizens LOVE all of you and keep you in our hearts always. May your Holidays be happy and safe. We are praying for you all and for your families who miss you so much (as you, of course, miss them) and look forward to your joyful return. ... With lots of love and gratitude: The Christman Family (Jim, Susie, Cherie & Cal). XOXOXO

12/5/2005 11:15:37 PM
Peggy, Valley Cottage, New York

God bless you and keep you safe until you come back to us. We are so proud of you all. There are no words to express my thanks and deep respect for your sacrifices. I will keep you and your families in my prayers and hope that you have joy at this holiday season and that you will soon be home on the soil of the greatest country on earth...the good old USA! Merry Christmas!

12/4/2005 5:02:36 PM
Allison, Knoxville, Tennessee

I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas! We miss you and can't wait for you to come home soon.

12/3/2005 4:53:13 PM
Julie, Jupiter, Florida

God Bless you all... We pray for your safe return home as we thank you for all you do to keep America safe. May you have a peaceful Christmas

12/2/2005 10:03:20 PM
Lindsay, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Miss You All. Our prayers are with you and your families. Can't wait for you to be home with us safe and sound! Keep Your spirits high we are all eternally grateful to you guys and gals!

11/29/2005 12:11:55 PM
Lisa, Yelm, WA

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you. God Bless each and every one of you and may he keep you safe. May you receive peace and happiness during the holiday season and may you all be able to hear from your loved ones. Please know that we truly honor you for your service to your country and pray for your well being and safe return ever night. Best wishes. Lisa

11/29/2005 2:20:44 AM
Ronda, Prentiss, Mississippi

Things just aren't the same when you are away from home at Christmas. All of hopes and dreams for the festivity of the season can be united in this one thought... A WHITE CHRISTMAS!!! Wouldn't y'all like to have some snow out there in the desert? Just close your eyes and feel the cool moist flakes falling on your faces, smell the sweetness of the yummy cakes and pies baking in the warm kitchen of families house, hear the kids all shrieking happily as they open their gifts, see the beauty of the decorations, and taste the sweetness of victory when y'all come home knowing that you accomplished the mission at hand. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Keep your hopes high and you'll be home before you know it.

11/29/2005 12:35:07 AM
Andrew, Cortland, Ohio

MERRY CHRISTMAS THANK YOU! BE SAFE & GOD BLESS

11/28/2005 10:57:48 PM
paul, wausau, wi

merry xmas to you all. i am so proud of the american service people. i was away from home at christmas when i was in the corps in the early 70's and it is not easy. i just wanted you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you now, at xmas and throughout the year. thanks to you all for serving our country. semper fi, paul

11/27/2005 4:16:47 PM
Robert
Steubenville, Ohio

May God bless you and protect you, St. Theresa's Prayer "May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you.

11/26/2005 10:40:39 AM
jeremy, greencastle, pa

dear all, well first i want to say merry christmas and a happy new year, i want all of you to know that myself and my family support you all 100% and we will stand by you all the way till each and every one of you are home with your familys. we are all very proud of all of you. and honored to have such brave troops who put all aside to defend our great nation. troops that put there lives on the line to protect the ones who stay behind and worry. may God bless each and every one of you and let him bring all of you home. My heart goes out to the ones whos lives where shortend because they did what they loved to do. life is a precious gift from God and it is troops like them that make people like me sit back and think it takes a real man or a real woman to go out there and protect and serve ... without even thinking twice.. thank you so much for making us all feel safe. God bless you and all your family members.thank you all so much come home soon.. from your friend and son of God <>< <>< jeremy stevens

11/25/2005 1:28:14 PM
Jesus, MATAMOROS, MEXICO

U.S. TROOPS: LES DESEO QUE PASEN UNA FELIZ NAVIDAD Y QUE SIEMPRE TENGAN PAZ, AMOR Y SALUD, USTEDES Y SUS FAMILIAS. SINCERAMENTE: JESUS MATAMOROS, MEXICO ... U.S. TROOPS THEM DESIRE THAT SPEND MERRY CHRISTMAS, THAT THEY ALWAYS HAVE PEACE, LOVE And HEALTH FOR YOU And ITS FAMILIES. SINCERELY: JESUS ...

11/24/2005 9:19:37 PM
Cassidy Family, Fox River Grove, Illinois

Merry Christmas. We appreciate the sacrifices you made to serve your country. God bless you!

11/23/2005 1:52:10 AM
The State Family, South San Francisco, California

We are teaching our seven year old that she is very lucky to live in the USA because of its freedoms and its people. She tells us that SHE is lucky because soldiers, like her Uncle David, are keeping her safe from "bad people". We are so thankful to you all because you are investing so much time and love for your country. May God bless you and your families. May He keep you safe and strong! God bless America!

11/18/2005 1:14:38 PM
Suzanne, Syracuse, NY

Thank you for all you do to protect the cause of freedom. May God bless you and keep you safe from harm - and bring you back home safely to us.

11/17/2005 1:31:26 PM
Michael McManiman, Media, PA

There are no true words that can express our heartfelt appreciation for your service and sacrifice. Please know that while certain politicians from a particular party are doing their 'worst' to denegrate what it is you are figthing for, those Americans who understand your fight, fully support you. Thank you for giving of yourself and the sacrifices made by your families. May the true Spirit and reason of the Christmas season be with you. God Bless you and Merry Christmas!!!

11/17/2005 12:22:24 PM
The Olsons, Suitland, Maryland

Dear Troops, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa! When you strip this war of political wrangling and get down to the essentials, this war is not about politics but about people -- people like you who are experiencing day to day the struggles and sacrifices of war and your loved ones at home. It is about the common Iraqui people who struggle just to live their everyday lives, especially those who are so grateful for your help. A friend of ours who served there told us such a different view or his tour than what is shown on the news here. He spoke not of policies and governments but of the human side of the equation, of the Iraqui people so in need of help just to have things we take for granted like food and money for necessities, and of his fellow soldiers who want to help somehow. We are sure that no one could want a war less than the people serving in it and their families back home. And truly, especially at this time of year, it is also your family and friends who are soldiers in having you so far from your homes. There is no way to return to you what you are sacrificing, but we hope it helps to hear Thank You. Thank you for serving your country. Thank you for doing what you can. Thank you for your sacrifice. May God bless you all, keep you safe, and bring you home SOON! Sincerely, The Olsons

ATTENTION ALL FReepers and FRiends: Next week, I'd like to have a special thread for seasonal messages just for our troops and their families. Be prepared to post your message(s). I'm going to collect messages all week, so if you want me to post yours for you, just FRmail it to me. If you want to wait until the thread is up, you will have the opportunity to post yours and any others you have to share!

Please share this story with the Canteen Ping List.

Silver Star presented to local Marine

WVEC via Google ^ | 12 December 2005 | Mike Gooding

Posted on 12/13/2005 11:51:34 AM PST by A.A. Cunningham

Silver Star presented to local Marine

There were heartfelt congratulations all around Monday as a local Marine was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third highest military decoration for gallantry in action.

27-year-old Christopher P. Niedziocha was a first lieutenant on June 8, 2004. His Camp Lejeune 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit convoy was ambushed in Sandabaz, Afghanistan. His group came under heavy rocket and small arms fire and seemed hopelessly outnumbered.

"That’s why Chris was awarded the Silver Star today – leadership under great duress and in great danger of his life,” said Lt. Gen. James Amos during the presentation at Naval Station Norfolk.

Niedziocha led a small platoon up a mountain on a bold, flanking maneuver. They trapped, neutralized and ultimately eliminated enemy forces he described as “very bad people.”

The citation praises him for “bold leadership, wise judgment and complete dedication to duty.”

The King of Prussia, Pennsylvania native said it was “very humbling” to receive the Silver Star and he wanted to spread the glory.

“The people I had working for me were top-notch. So really I can't take too much credit for it. It was the thing to do. It was a tactically smart thing to do. I knew that I was prepared for it. All it took was a few words, and it just unfolded."

Of the more than one million U.S. military men and women who've served in Afghanistan and Iraq, fewer than 200 have earned silver stars.

His mother is understandably proud.

"We were shocked. He doesn’t say a whole lot about what goes on, so we were very impressed and proud, obviously.” said Carol Niedziocha.

He’s now assigned to the Second Marine “FAST Company” in Yorktown.

The Silver Star presentation reads as follows:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to Capt. Christopher P. Niedziocha, United States Marine Corps for service as set forth in the following:

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Battalion Landing Team ONE SIX Combined Anti-Armor Platoon Commander assigned to 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed with Commander, United States FIFTH Fleet on 8 June 2004.

When his convoy came under heavy rocket and small arms fire in an enemy ambush near the village of Sandabuz, Afghanistan, First Lieutenant Niedziocha pushed his vehicles through the kill zone as far forward as possible to confront the enemy’s main ambush site. With his vehicles caught in a crossfire, he led his Marines from the front by engaging enemy positions with devastating heavy machine gun and small arms fire. First Lieutenant Niedziocha aggressively engaged the enemy at a distance of less than 100 meters and negated the enemy’s advantage of standoff and surprise. Seeking to regain the initiative, he led his Marines in a bold flanking maneuver, trapping some enemy forces who were later found and eliminated, causing others to break contact. He then led his Marines in pursuit of the fleeing enemy, neutralizing the remaining enemy forces with direct fire and close air support. By his bold leadership, wise judgment and complete dedication to duty, First Lieutenant Niedziocha reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

For the President, Gordon England, Secretary of the Navy

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