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

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

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.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

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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]

Thanks St.Louie! :) Your compliments made my day :) How are you?

It meant a lot that Billie gave Sargent Murry's poem and asked if I would like to post this. I was so proud to post his poem.

[luvie]

What'cha got in mind?...you Louiebo you!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Thanks St.Louie! :)

You may call me 'wolfie'/'Louie'. Sometimes I forget who I am. LOL

You deserve all th nice comments you've been receiving, you did good, kid. : )

Your compliments made my day :) How are you?

Well, your words are nice to hear. And I've been sneezing/coughing for three days. : (

It meant a lot that Billie gave Sargent Murry's poem and asked if I would like to post this.
I was so proud to post his poem.

Billie gave it to the right *Babe*. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

What'cha got in mind?...you Louiebo you!

Shhhhh...wolfie will leave 'that' up to *you*, Luvbo. LOL

[luvie]

Hmmmmmm...well, I'll have to give that some concentrated thought as I get off here and go do some *shudder* Christmas shopping. I'll let you know later....okay? hee-hee! Get yerself a Christmas cookie and have a good day!

[ST.LOUIE1]

You shouldn't have to concentrate too hard. LOL

Get yerself a Christmas cookie and have a good day!

Thank yooooou! : )

[luvie]

...or unwrap yourself a little kiss!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Done! Wolfie likes! LOL

Gotta go, see you later. : )

[luvie]

Me too...have fun at whatever you are doing! (((hugs)))

[The Mayor]

Doing well and hanging out at home for a little longer.
A friend has a radio show on saturdays and she had another friend on for a while. I had to listen to them...

You two are having fun I see!

[snugs]

As promised photograph of Woolworths in Ashford both outside and inside the stores

[luvie]

Hee-hee...who wouldn't have fun with Louiebo!

Hope the rest of your weekend is nice and lazy and warm!

[The Mayor]

He's a fun kinda guy!

[MEG33]

((((((((((((Woofie))))))))))))

[dixie sass]

Thank you for a beautiful thread!

[dixie sass]

Oh yes, all the female relative at one time or another got Evening in Paris or dusting powder by Coty. On my allowance it was just about all that I could afford.

[dixie sass]

I loved Necco Wafers.

[Mama_Bear]

I loved Necco Wafers.

Me too. I still do! Some things you just never outgrow.

[dixie sass]

I was born in 1945 and can't believe everything that has happened in my life time. It constantly amazes me all of the changes since I was just a child. Prices seem to risen 200% since I was a child thinking that I was rich because I had a couple of pennies and nickels and dimes. And once the tooth fairy actually left me a whole quarter! Sigh, what a wonderful world it was when we could run free and our mothers were at home and we didn't have to keep up with the Jones...

[Billie]

Afternoon, sweet (((((BillieBlue)))))

Hi, there, SantaWolf - sweet BillieBlue is singing her little heart out - want to join me in a chorus? :)