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Sunday, December 25, 2005

Holiday Wishes


Click on Santa's picture above for a musical Christmas wish.

As you mark your holiday --
Prayer, Presents, Lights, or Tree,
Spare a thought for those now in harm's way,
'Cause Freedom Isn't Free!

To all of our Heroes and their families:
All our best to you for the Holiday Season, and
may the New Year see you safely reunited as soon as possible.

I would like to take this opportunity to sendheartfelt wishes for the holiday season to all of our Heroes, most especially my son, Butch, that are over in Iraq. Thank you for all that you do, it can't be said enough. I hope all of you get the chance tospend next year with your loved ones. Believe me, all of us families back home are missing you as much as you are missing us. Your service is NOT taken for granted.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you.God Bless!

Donna
Proud Army Mom
Proud member of Soldiers' Angels




We are so grateful for your service and Patriotism. God Bless you all this holiday season.

The Conley Family,
Lenexa, KS




I want to thank you but my words cannot express how much I appreciate your service providing me with freedom. I pray each day for your safety and that each and every one of you comes home to your loved ones. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart -

Jane Woodring

Have a blessed season and
Peace throughout the year.

Happy Holiday wishes from Colorado! God Bless to all of our American Military all over the world.
Thank you all for your service and sacrifice of hardships.
I'm thinking of you and will toast all of you at our family Christmas table.

Sincerely,
Catherine Kniffin
Soldiers Angels




A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.


My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.





In these times, we want to let you know that we wish each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Please remember that each of you is in our thoughts and prayers and we wish for you a safe and swift return to those that you love. All of you are truly heroes and we will never forget what you do for us every day. We love, respect, and admire all of you!

Joanna and Dakota Frazier,
Soldiers' Angels Alabama


SFC Bruno S------
Your tireless dedication to the men and women under your charge has not gone unnoticed and has deeply touched this old vet's heart.

Thank you for all that you do and give so freely, willingly and unselfishly each and everyday while you are so far from your loving wife and son this Holiday Season. You are thought of and honored with great pride in this veterans heart for being a TRUE HERO.

Your Angel....Rose



To all of our troops, wherever you may be,
I wish you good tidings, and holiday cheer,
Although you may be very far from home,
Know you are never really alone,
There are many who are thinking of you,
Family, friends, angels, & regular folk too.

Merry Christmas,
Laurie Martin
New York

Merry Christmas to all our deployed men and women. We in America appreciate your sacrifice. Without you we would not have had the election turnout that happened last week.
We wish you a Happy Christmas and a great New Year!
Just like we are looking forward to my son n law coming home in 2006 we look forward to seeing you all come back home. Keep your Head Up.... Stay Alert.... Stay Safe:)
Bob Calvert, Founder/President
YoungHeroes.US
http://www.talkingwithheroes.com


Dear Angels and Friends

in 2005 we brought 796 backpacks and 239 bags (with personal items, candies and clothes) to the wounded soldiers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, to the Fisher House, to the Marines, to the National Guard and to the Ramstein Inn (DWMMC).

We brought a lot of microwave food to the coffee bar at the Kleber Barracks in Kaiserslautern , over 100 pairs of shoes to the Chaplains Office Landstuhl, over 750 Christmas Stockings to Kleber and Landstuhl and more.....

We are so proud of you all. Thank you very much for all your support over the last year!
Without your time, donations and sponsorship we could not take so much backpacks or food to the wounded, injured or sick soldiers.If you like to read more about our visits in Landstuhl this year look at Soldiers Angels Germany
http://www.sablogs.com/index.php?blog=40&cat=232

And about our visits at the Kleber Barracks look here: http://www.sablogs.com/index.php?blog=40&cat=234 So instead we'll just wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and the happiest of New Years

God Bless you and your family!

Willie

Wilhelmine Aufmkolk- International President
Soldiers' Angels
Soldiers' Angels Germany - http://www.soldiersangelsgermany.org/

Merry Christmas
**********************************

I thank you all, for what is so clear
The sending of love, to those so dear

You cheer a heart, when one may be down
And bring a smile, to cast off a frown

With hope in your heart, you rise each day
You try your best, cause that is your way

You all understand, why you won’t stop
And to those you serve, you’re at the top

A Valentine true, each day of the year
That’s what you are, sweet givers of care

Now don’t you get mushy, do not cry
For that is the truth, Yes Sir, Aye-aye

God Bless You and help you, I do pray
For all you have done, I yell Hooray!

This Christmas I’m thankful, for knowing you
May His Blessings be fruitful in all you do…...

Your Friend Roger
(Roger Robicheau)



To all who stand for freedom, and defend those of us here at home - words could never thank you enough. The gift of your service is one I can never repay. I wish you all the best of the holiday season, and a joyous New Year. It is an honor and a privilege to have been able to thank some of you personally. To all of my adoptees who are now safely home, and to Henry in Afghanistan, I am so proud to know you - you are my heroes.

Pam


Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
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 the fire, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.


His face so gentle, his room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night
Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.

Soon ‘round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
Just 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."

With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.


So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.


And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.
I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure,
"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!




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