Christmas Presant for all our member's who are serving orwho have served in the military

T_O_Bull

All-American
Some time in the last year I stumbled on a country rock group named "Van Zant." What follows are the lyrics to one of their songs.

These Colors Don't Run




I got Old Glory hangin’ out in my gagage

And one on the chrome post flyin’ in my yard

I got a patch on my jacket says, ‘A Hundred And First’

And a sticker on my bumper says, ‘Don’t Mess With Her’

 

These colors don’t run, I hold them dear to my heart

With all of my might I stand up and fight for every star and every stripe

Yeah, I’m a proud supporter of the men and the women

Who risk their lives for our cause, let me tell you, son

We’re still number one and these colors don’t run

 

I pledge allegiance to this nation and eagle flyin’ high

I’m the first to shoot off fireworks on the 4th of July

And God bless the people who love this great land

Ah, when it comes to freedom united we stand

 

These colors don’t run, I hold them dear to my heart

With all of my might I stand up and fight for every star and every stripe

Yeah, I’m a proud supporter of the men and the women

Who risk their lives for our cause, let me tell you, son

We’re still number one and these colors don’t run

 

These colors don’t run, I hold them dear to my heart

With all of my might I stand up and fight for every star and every stripe

Yeah, I’m a proud supporter of the men and the women

Who risk their lives for our cause, let me tell you, son

We’re still number one and these colors don’t run

 

We never will, we never have and you better be glad

These… colors… don’t… run



Love and peace to all of you. May God bring each and every one of you and your brothers and sisters in arms home safely.

T_O_B

 
Nice T.O.!

My favorite:

Twas the night before Christmas,

he lived all alone,

in a one bedroom home made of plaster and stone.

 

I had come down the chiminey with presents to give

and to see just whom in this house did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight did I see.

No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

 

No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand.

On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land,

with medals and badges, awards of all kinds,

a sober thought came to mind.

 

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary.

I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,

curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

 

The face was so gentle, the room in 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 enjoyed freedom each month of the year,

because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn't 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 is the life of 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 drifted to sleep,

I couldn't control it, and continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,

and we both shivered from the cold winter'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, whispered with a voice soft and pure,

"Carry on Santa, It's Christmas day and all is secure."

 

One look at my watch and I knew he was right,

 

"Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!"

 
And yet another

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 m y 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."

 
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