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A Few of FR's Finest...Every Day...12/16-18/05 ....Christmas In The Heart
Sgt. Rodney Murray, Freema & GodBlessUSA

Posted on 12/15/2005 9:29:14 PM PST by 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


Image hosted by Photobucket.com
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

Image hosted by Photobucket.com


Image hosted by Photobucket.com



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!


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: freepers; fun; military; patriotic; suprises; troopsupport; veterans
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To: GodBlessUSA
I cannot imagine a major town in Britain without a Woolies I will post a photo of the outside of our store tomorrow. If feasible I might even get a couple of shots of the inside of the store.
81 posted on 12/16/2005 6:54:39 PM PST by snugs (An English Cheney Chick - BIG TIME)
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To: Earthdweller

What a gracious home you have. Thanks for inviting us in for a visit!


82 posted on 12/16/2005 6:55:21 PM PST by luvie (Everyone that doesn't like what America and President Bush has done for Iraq can all go to HELL.-BD)
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To: Earthdweller
Merry Christmas Earthdweller!
Your tree and decorations are so lovely! Seeing all those pictures last weekend got me moving to finish up my decorating too. :)
83 posted on 12/16/2005 7:03:15 PM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: snugs

You are so lucky. LOL I wish I could do some Christmas shopping there. :)


84 posted on 12/16/2005 7:04:23 PM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: Mrs.Nooseman

Hi Mrs. Nooseman
I keep missing pings again. How are you this evening?
HUGS


85 posted on 12/16/2005 7:05:06 PM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: Mrs.Nooseman; LUV W

Make sure you don't miss post 50 of Billie's. She's funny. :)


86 posted on 12/16/2005 7:06:26 PM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: GodBlessUSA

I'll check post # 50 now.:)


87 posted on 12/16/2005 7:18:01 PM PST by Mrs.Nooseman (A Merry and Joyous Christmas to all ,especially to our Troops !!!)
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To: Billie

LOL.

That is to funny.~chuckle~


88 posted on 12/16/2005 7:18:50 PM PST by Mrs.Nooseman (A Merry and Joyous Christmas to all ,especially to our Troops !!!)
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To: GodBlessUSA

That is okay I turned my pinger off,because I am faster then it.LOL.

I am doing great,just a little tired.:)

{{{HUGS}}}


89 posted on 12/16/2005 7:20:21 PM PST by Mrs.Nooseman (A Merry and Joyous Christmas to all ,especially to our Troops !!!)
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To: Mrs.Nooseman
Look who is wearing red today


90 posted on 12/16/2005 7:25:54 PM PST by snugs (An English Cheney Chick - BIG TIME)
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To: Mrs.Nooseman
:)

I know I'm tired. I just did spell check for a smiley. LOL

91 posted on 12/16/2005 7:29:22 PM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: GodBlessUSA

LOL.

That is funny.

Last time when I was tired ,I forgot to use spell check and garbled my posts.LOL.


92 posted on 12/16/2005 7:36:41 PM PST by Mrs.Nooseman (A Merry and Joyous Christmas to all ,especially to our Troops !!!)
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To: Mrs.Nooseman

Sometimes, if I'm really tired, I go through all the motions. Write, hit spell check, preview, post. I did spell check, I just never corrected the words. LOL


93 posted on 12/16/2005 7:41:45 PM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: GodBlessUSA; The Mayor; JustAmy; deadhead; All
Thanks for the Christmas Music – nice thread, btw.

And in support of our troops...


94 posted on 12/16/2005 7:46:13 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul
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To: Victoria Delsoul

You always look smashing in red. :)


95 posted on 12/16/2005 7:47:07 PM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: GodBlessUSA

LOL, thanks. :-)


96 posted on 12/16/2005 7:48:02 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul
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To: GodBlessUSA

LOL.

Been there done that.


97 posted on 12/16/2005 7:48:32 PM PST by Mrs.Nooseman (A Merry and Joyous Christmas to all ,especially to our Troops !!!)
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To: snugs
I have a Christmas wish...

If there is to be a female President in our future, Lord let it be someone like Condi and definitely not that other person we won't mention.

Thanks for the picture snugs. :)

98 posted on 12/16/2005 7:53:55 PM PST by Earthdweller ("West to Islam" Cake. Butter your liberals, slowly cook France, stir in Europe then watch it rise.)
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To: LadyX

So do I, Maggie!


99 posted on 12/17/2005 1:46:08 AM PST by dixie sass
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To: LadyX; WVNan

Phew, cause as your younger cousing by only a few years that would make me, well younger and what about your po' sistah Nan? Phew, sho glad you clarified that!!!!!!!!!!


100 posted on 12/17/2005 1:53:28 AM PST by dixie sass
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