" A Different Christmas Poem "

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Vietnam' Woman Of The Year story
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD
I have no idea who put this together, but, it's wonderful!!
Obama complained. "Nobody made these guys go to war!
Australian Prime Minister does it again!!

A Different Christmas Poem

This is a heart warming poem. Read and remember.

Thanks to all who have served or have someone close serving.

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."


PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this URL to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these
festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

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'Vietnam' Woman Of The Year story

This is a good counter balance story to the Jane Fonda

Ann Margaret

My Christmas in Viet Nam...

Viet Nam 1966

  Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.

A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing.

When I got there after work, the line went all the way a round the bookstore, circled the parking lot and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.

  Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn.
He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it."

She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.'"

With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there.

Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army," he said.

That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.

I now make it a point to say "Thank you" to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not co me cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.

If you'd like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make.

Don't be too busy today... Share this inspiring message with friends and family. On behalf of those who DO appreciate all that you did for us, thank you to each of you who receive this message who have served or are serving our country in the armed services or any other service.

IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!!!
Please, even if you've seen this page before Send This URL to your Friends again.

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ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD , AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

May
God's love bless your Family & Home,

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

I knew a man, called him Sandy Kane
Few folks even knew his name
But a hero, yes was he
Left a boy, came back a man
Still many just don't understand
About the reasons we are free.

I can't forget the look in his eyes
Or the tears he cries
As he said these words to me.

All gave some, some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
Some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all.

Now Sandy Kane is no longer here
But his words are oh so clear
As they echo through out our land
For all his friends who gave us all
Who stood the ground and took the fall
To help their fellow man.

Love your country and live with pride
And don't forget those who died.
America can't you see.

All gave some and some gave all
Some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all.

And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall
Some gave all, And all gave Some!

All Warriors those Who Served and Those Serving do this for Your FREEDOM!

Take Care of your WARRIORS past & present, For they are the reason your FREE today!

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" I have no idea who put this together, but, its wonderful!! "

" ENJOY "

 Long ago and far away, in a land that time forgot, Before the days of Dylan, or the dawn of Camelot. There lived a race of innocents, and they were you and me,
For Ike was in the White House in that land where we were born, Where navels were for oranges, and Peyton Place was porn.
We learned to gut a muffler, we washed our hair at dawn, We spread our crinolines to dry in circles on the lawn. 
We longed for love and romance, and waited for our Prince, And Eddie Fisher married Liz, and no one's seen him since.. 
We danced to 'Little Darlin,' and sang to 'Stagger Lee' And cried for Buddy Holly in the Land That Made Me , Me.  
Only girls wore earrings then, and 3 was one too many, And only boys wore flat-top cuts, except for Jean McKinney.
And only in our wildest dreams did we expect to see A boy named George with Lipstick, in the Land That Made Me , Me.
We fell for Frankie Avalon, Annette was oh, so nice, And when they made a movie, they never made it twice. 
We didn't have a Star Trek Five, or Psycho Two and Three, Or Rocky-Rambo Twenty in the Land That Made Me , Me.
Miss Kitty had a heart of gold, and Chester had a limp, And Reagan was a Democrat whose co-star was a chimp.
We had a Mr. Wizard, but not a Mr.. T, And Oprah couldn't talk, yet, in the Land That Made Me , Me. 
We had our share of heroes, we never thought they'd go, At least not Bobby Darin, or Marilyn Monroe. 
For youth was still eternal, and life was yet to be, And Elvis was forever in the Land That! Made Me , Me.
We'd never seen the rock band that was Grateful to be Dead, And Airplanes weren't named Jefferson, and Zeppelins were not Led. 
  And Beatles lived in gardens then, and Monkeys lived in trees, Madonna was a virgin in the Land That Made Me , Me.
We'd never heard of microwaves, or telephones in cars, And babies might be bottle-fed, but they weren't grown in jars. 
And pumping iron got wrinkles out, and 'gay' meant fancy-free, And dorms were never coed in the Land That Made Me , Me.
We hadn't seen enough of jets to talk about the lag, And microchips were what was left at the bottom of the bag. 
And Hardware was a box of nails, and bytes came from a flea, And rocket ships were fiction in the Land That Made Me , Me. 
Buicks came with portholes, and side shows came with freaks, And bathing suits came big enough to cover both your cheeks.
And Coke came just in bottles, and skirts below the knee, And Castro came to power near the Land That Made Me , Me. 
We had no Crest with Fluoride, we had no Hill Street Blues, We had no patterned pantyhose or Lipton herbal tea Or prime-time ads for condoms in the Land That Made Me , Me.
There were no golden arches, no Perrier to chill, And fish were not called Wanda, and cats were not called Bill.
And middle-aged was 35 and old was forty-three, And ancient were our parents in the Land That Made Me , Me. 
But all things have a season, or so we've heard them say, And now instead of Maybelline we swear by Retin-A.
They send us invitations to join AARP, We've come a long way, baby, from the Land That Made Me , Me. 
So now we face a brave new world in slightly larger jeans, And wonder why they're using smaller print in magazines. 
And we tell our children's children of the way it used to be, Long ago and far away in the Land That Made Me , Me.  
For those of you too young to remember Bob Hope, ask your Grandparents!!! And thanks for the memories............   
I HOPE THIS WILL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART. Tribute to a man who DID make a difference:

May 29, 1903 - July 27, 2003  
ON TURNING 70 'You still chase women, but only downhill.'
ON TURNING 80 'That's the time of your life when even your birthday suit needs pressing.'  
ON TURNING 90 'You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.'
ON TURNING 100 'I don't feel old. In fact I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap.'  
ON GIVING UP HIS EARLY CAREER, BOXING 'I ruined my hands in the ring ... the referee kept stepping on them.'
ON NEVER WINNING AN OSCAR 'Welcome to the Academy Awards or, as it's called at my home, 'Passover'.'  
ON GOLF 'Golf is my profession. Show business is just to pay the green fees.'  
ON PRESIDENTS 'I have performed for 12 presidents and entertained only six.'
ON WHY HE CHOSE SHOWBIZ FOR HIS CAREER ' When I was born, the doctor said to my mother, 'Congratulations. You have an eight-pound ham'.'
ON RECEIVING THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL 'I feel very humble, but I think I have the strength of character to fight it.'  
ON HIS FAMILY'S EARLY POVERTY 'Four of us slept in the one bed. When it got cold, mother threw on another brother.'
ON HIS SIX BROTHERS 'That's how I learned to dance. Waiting for the bathroom.'
ON HIS EARLY FAILURES 'I would not have had anything to eat if it wasn't for the stuff the audience threw at me.'  
ON GOING TO HEAVEN 'I've done benefits for ALL religions. I'd hate to blow the hereafter on a technicality.'

I HOPE THIS WILL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART.

Tribute to a man who DID make a difference:

May 29, 1903 - July 27, 2003

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"Obama complained. "Nobody made these guys go to war! "

 Bad press, including major mockery of the plan by comedian Jon Stewart, led to President Obama abandoning his proposal to require veterans carry private health insurance to cover the estimated $540 million annual cost to the federal government of treatment for injuries to military personnel received during their tours on active duty. The President admitted that he was puzzled by the magnitude of the opposition to his proposal.

 Look, it's an all volunteer force," Obama complained. "Nobody made these guys go to war. They had to have known and accepted the risks. Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice? It doesn't compute.." "I thought these were people who were proud to sacrifice for their country, "Obama continued "I wasn't asking for blood, just money. With the country facing the worst financial crisis in its history, I'd have thought that the patriotic thing to do would be to try to help reduce the nation's deficit.. I guess I underestimated the selfishness of some of my fellow Americans."


 Please pass this on to every one including every vet and their families whom you know. How in the world did a person with this mindset become our leader?

 REMEMBER THIS STATEMENT.... "Nobody made these guys go to war. They had to have known and accepted the risks. Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice?"

 If he thinks he will ever get another vote from an Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard service member or veteran of a military service he ought to think it over.. If you or a family member is or has served their country please pass this to them.

 Please pass this to everyone. I'm guessing that other than the 20-25 percent hardcore liberals in the US will agree that this is just another example why this is the worst president in American history. Remind everyone over and over how this man thinks, while he bows to the Saudi Arabian king.

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Australian Prime Minister does it again!!

This man should be appointed King of the World.. Truer words have never been spoken.

It took a lot of courage for this man to speak what he had to say for the world to hear.
The retribution could be phenomenal, but at least he was willing to take a stand on his and Australia's beliefs.

Whole world needs a leader like this!

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - Australia

 Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks..


Separately, Rudd angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:

'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT.. Take It Or Leave It.
 I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. '

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

 'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

 'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools.
If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this.

 But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

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