Monday, December 21, 2009

CHRISTMAS, Ours and Yours...


(CLICK IN IMAGES TO ENLARGE)

Christmas is a few days away, and most folks here at home are preparing to enjoy the day with family and friends. This is a luxury in life that some do not appreciate and take for granted.

The warm and cozy fire in the fireplace brings warmth to the revelers, while you over there huddle in tents, holes, and vehicles. Your situation comes without a true break. In World War Two, even at the battle of the bulge, Christmas found a way to have a truce and provide a little peace to reflect.

The malls here are full of shoppers driven to stress levels that exceeds any form of reason for such a simple pleasure, which again, is not appreciated for how much of a gift that is. The stores are full of brand new toys, gizmo's, high-tech games, and every sort of food that man can imagine. Your shopping is by mail call, and the boxes that make it in one piece, if you received one in the first place, may have great gifts from loved ones; some are from strangers who care. No matter the source, your gratitude and appreciation is more than you ever imagined for even the simplest gesture of kindness. This is something that you will carry for the rest of your life, this new found appreciation of the simple things.

The Christmas Holiday back here at home only exists because of what you do, and what the brothers and sisters in harm's way did before you. Here, after the Christmas parties, the dinners with the Steak laden with fat and red wine, most folks will go home and climb into a comfortable bed and sleep peacefully, in some cases with a mate that smells good. You, if you are lucky, will get a cot and a hot, and sleep in the company of some that may be in need of Old Navy. The only fat-marbled steak you will see is in your dreams!

The roads here are full of road rage idiots, while over there they are full of roadside bombs. The buildings here are just shapes and angles, while over there they are vantage points for the enemy to fire from. Yes, the mainstream folks are very supportive of all of you, but many do not know the difficult and dangerous tasks that you all do on a daily basis. The people who do know, appreciates it very much, as many of those have walked in your shoes. Lets hope all who have the power to do so will sort this out so that you will be back home for Christmas real soon! In the meantime, lock and load, and clear the area.

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SPORTS UPDATE:

Big Ben was running from the blitz, with no time on the clock, when he threw a pass to the end zone for an almost copycat catch from our Super Bowl win. We beat the Packers 37 to 36!

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A cowboy brings home the Christmas Tree


Doris and Bill wish you a Merry Christmas


Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

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