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

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

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!

[dixie sass]

I can't type today - dog wants at the computer...

[LadyX]

"I loved Necco Wafers."

Eat your hearts out ladies - - my local Food Lion store (renamed Reid's in this area of SC, after they hired our local Mr. Reid as a consultant to advise them how to run their chain successfully!) always has Necco wafers on the checkout displays.
I keep a roll in my pocketbook for insulin reactions - easy to chew quietly, and taste good...:)

[Mama_Bear]

easy to chew quietly, and taste good...:)

Yep....especially the chocolate ones. :-)

[LadyX]

"Where, oh where can our wolfie man be??!!"

Methinks he's out doing his Ah-roooo thing..:))

[LadyX]

Thank you for taking those photographs, Eleanor.

Interesting to see the Catalogue sign. To my knowledge, none of the Woolworth stores here had that feature.

As for Wal-Mart, I have one just 1.5 miles from my door, groceries and all (most of those prices lower than competitors in this area, just like other goods), and am in there at least 4 times a week.
Another of my small, wonderfully conservative town advantages.

The weekly newspaper is full of area news and happenings. On the pages where not only birth announcements/pictures are shown, birthdays of chidren up to 6 to 8 are published, if submitted.
This Wednesday it had a picture of a boy who celebrated his 8th birthday. His parents told the invited guests to NOT bring a present for him - but to bring things for the local Animal Shelter!!

Below that was a girl of about 8 who had just had her hair cut for Locks of Love.
Real America is alive and well here, and we love the easy living!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Doing well and hanging out at home for a little longer.

Glad to hear it, Rus.

Yep, Lovebo is a fun person. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

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

LOL! Cute!

You wouldn't make much of a meal so wolfie will just sing along. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

"Where, oh where can our wolfie man be??!!"

Wolfie be right here. : )

Methinks he's out doing his Ah-roooo thing..:))

Nope, been busy, but now that wolfie's darling (((((((Exie))))))) is here.......

he will AhhhhRoooooo!

[ST.LOUIE1]

I was on the top of the world if I left Woolworths with a nickle roll of Necco Wafers. :-)

Exactly what IS a Necco Wafer? Candy?

Hi, (((((Fuzzy)))))!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hi, snugs. You've posted some very interesting graphics today, I've really enjoyed them. : )

[Mama_Bear]

Hi Wolfie! You never had Necco Wafers? Yes, it is candy. Sort of like flavored chalk, actually. But I love them. :-)

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hi Wolfie! You never had Necco Wafers?

Nope! : )

Yes, it is candy. Sort of like flavored chalk, actually.
But I love them. :-)

Chalk???? LOL

I may have seen them, I'm not sure.

[Mama_Bear]

Chalk???? LOL

That is exactly what the texture is. You've never had the urge to chew on a piece of chalk? LOL. But, they really are good....even Maggie sez so.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Chalk???? LOL

That is exactly what the texture is. You've never had the urge to chew on a piece of chalk? LOL.

No way would I want to eat chalk. Although, I kinda think I did when I was a kid. Paste was good. LOL

But, they really are good....even Maggie sez so.

Well, I guess maybe chalk is good. I mean, our Maggie knows everything. : )

I like Gummy Bears.

[Aquamarine]

Here's my one (and only) Woolworth's story.
Back in the 50's when my family still lived in Tulsa my mom took my brother who was a young boy at the time to Woolworth's. When they went to order lunch at the lunch counter my brother ordered a burnt grilled cheese sandwich.
At home my mom would always burn his grill cheese sandwiches by mistake and that's how he thought they were supposed to be eaten. lol

[Mama_Bear]

Oh, I love gummie bears too!! And Good N' Plenty. Do you like Good N' Plenty? I used to get those when I went to the movies. They lasted a long time. So did Milk Duds. Those are good too. I pretty much like most all candy. LOL.

[Mama_Bear]

At home my mom would always burn his grill cheese sandwiches by mistake and that's how he thought they were supposed to be eaten. lol

That's funny. LOL.

Hi Aqua. Do you have snow? I have been hearing about the awful winter weather that the South East has been getting.

[Aquamarine]

Do you have snow?

Not yet but I heard we were going to. Got online to check the weather site and would up here telling Woolworth stories instead. :) ... going to weather site now... I hope ....

[The Mayor]

Yes she is, of course this is the finest, we are all The Finest at FR!! : )

[Aquamarine]

Looks like we have a slight chance of getting snow after midnight, would rather it snowed when I'm awake and able to watch it.