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!

[Mama_Bear]

would rather it snowed when I'm awake and able to watch it.

I know what you mean. I used to love watching the first snow come down.

I miss the snow since we've been in California. It gets cold enough to snow here, but doesn't. Whenever there is precipitation it always warms up just enough so that it comes down as rain. We do have a freak snow shower about every seven years, and it has been about that long since the last one....so maybe there will be one this year.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Oh, I love gummie bears too!!

That means you don't have false teeth! LOL

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.

Haven't tried Good N' Plenty, but do like Milk Duds. : )

I pretty much like most all candy. LOL.

I can tell! LOL

Hey, I have to leave for awhile, see ya later?

(((((fuzzy)))))

[Mama_Bear]

see ya later?

Yep, you can count on it!

((((((((((SweetWolfie))))))))))

[ST.LOUIE1]

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

Yessir! I'll second that!! : )

[LadyX]

"I've been looking everywhere for you, Woofie Toofums..:))"

"I'm pretending I'm Little Red Riding Hood - - wanna carry my basket?"

[Jen]

Your tree and home are beautiful. Thanks for pinging me. :)

[snugs]

The catalogue sign in Woolies relates to an online facility that you can use to check if they have items in stock in the store.

ASDA (our Walmart) prices are also much lower than other competitors for most items though you do have to watch some items.

Here are photos taken inside ASDA today

[snugs]

Thanks

[snugs]

Are they like a wafer biscuit?

[snugs]

The little teddy bears I like them too.

[freema]

LOL!

[snugs]

What flavour are they?

[dixie sass]

Especially the chocolate and the orange flavored wafers. Hmmmm, I know what is at the head of my shopping list on the first!

[freema]

I remember the enchanting childhood days of searching for a gift...

[freema]

...remember the candy behind wooden and glass displays.......

[dixie sass]

Wal-mart is just around the corner and up the road about 2 miles from me. Since it is only $12.00 round trip by cab I usually go there for groceries.

I'd much rather go to the Pig and shop since it is locally owned but it is almost $20 round trip to shop there.

[dixie sass]

Yummy, yes, it's candy. Really good candy!

[dixie sass]

Lol, that's the way that I fix them!!!!

[dixie sass]

Milk Duds, Junior Mints, Semi-sweet chocolate bars, oh my, I need to hit the candy counter!

[Aquamarine]

Whenever there is precipitation it always warms up just enough so that it comes down as rain.

That happens here alot too.

Got somethin for ya. :)
Let me know if this doesn't work, I'm testing this site out.

Carol Of The Bells