Posted on 11/11/2001 11:23:15 AM PST by Billie
And a Happy Veterans Day and Week for all of those who served and are serving now.
I just want to you all to know that one doesn't have to be a veteran to really appreciate each and every one of you. God bless you and your's and especially the family of all those that we knew that didn't come back.
Thanks, for all of America, for the service that you give us. We will forever be in debt!
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I don't have the words to explain my feelings. As I watched and listened at the Veteran's Day Ceremony in my city my chest swelled and my eyes watered.
I humbly Thank All of You, here and gone.........
Peace be with You
So many of those who are serving would never complain to the American people about the conditions they serve in. Trust me, they ain't living the country club life. Tents have a mildew stench that is ever present, hot showers ain't always hot, hot meals - the same applies. These guys and gals ain't complaining.
If anyone watched Saving Pvt Ryan last night they could see the horrors of war. The Cpl interpreter's character, who was totally overcome with fear, is reflective of how it effects human beings. All of those characters portrayed were reflective of these horrors. I think Speilberg did a great job to show the world how combat effects everyone on a personal level.
Well, thanks again for the great interview, and thanks to every veteran and patriot who has served and supported the ideals of FREEDOM & LIBERTY!
Semper Fi,
Norb
Semper Fi
Lest we forget.
Leroy, I am sorry I didn't get your picture and your information in time to include it, but thank you so much for posting it here for others to see.
Greg Adams
aka ImpBill
Just another aging vet
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I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE, AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE, NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND, AND ON THE WALL PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS, A SOBERING THOUGHT CAME TO MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, SO DARK AND SO DREARY, THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, NOW I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE, CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER, NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ? CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT, OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY, AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR, BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE, ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE, I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE, "SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE, MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND SOON DRIFTED TO SLEEP, I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL, AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD EVENING'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT, THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE, WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT. "MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan.
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