While everyone is cruising in their 8's, modding them, racing them and cleaning them this holiday season, take a moment in your own way and Thank those serving far from home. Many will be spending their Christmas in the sands of far away places, away from family and loved ones. Maintaining peace and securing your freedoms.

This not only applies to U.S. troops, but to the militaries of countries around the world.

Whether or not you agree with actions taken over the past couple of years, let it be known that those that have served and died did so of their own free will, in duty to their country and their people and their God.

Though, doing what I do, I'll never see any front lines overseas, I, along with thousands work everyday in maintaining the security and safety of the United States being part of the Dept. of Homeland Security.

My heart goes out the families of service members who made the ultimate sacrifice and be rest assured, those families getting by day-by-day without their loved one, you shall remain safe and secure in the blanket of our protection.


Drew Kiermaier, AT1
U.S. Coast Guard
Air Station Clearwater, FL
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{something you all may have already read}


'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE
MADE OF PLASTER AND 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 MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND.
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS...


WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS...
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.


FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT.
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY.
I FOUND A HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE 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 DISORDER;
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.


WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHO 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 THIS SOLDIER
WHO WAS WILLING TO FIGHT.


SOON 'ROUND THE WORLD
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.


THEY ALL ENJOY 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 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 NIGHT'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
AND WITH A VOICE, SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON, SANTA.
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL'S 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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Wonderful post!

I absolutely agree. Whether or not they agree with the decisions that were made, they are still putting their life at risk for our country. That is a very VERY noble thing.

My father will be going over to Iraq in about 6 weeks. His deployment is for a year. I know that he would appreciate your sentiments.


Thank you.

With Holidays just around the corner ^bump^

^^one last bump, because it needs to be known, because i say so^^

That's a great post. It was actually people like you that kept our minds sane and gave us reasons to keep fighting for what we belive. I know after seeing one of the mass gravesites first hand I was enraged and confused but thanks to many of the people who wrote and sent us all their best wishes and gave us their support gave me some calmness. Especially during the holidays over in iraq many people in depression took their lives because they missed their families and where unsure why they were risking their lives. I know it was because of all the mail and local spots over the radio that Mrs. phylis (that was our local supporter back at home) had gathered and held a rally for all of us fighting or had gotten the local school schools to send carepackages to all the single solders, that there were alot less sucides and people began to have pride and belief that they were making a difference. I know some that some of the reasons that we were given were false about why we entered Iraq but if you would of seen the faces of the people whos towns we saved or the horrors of the mass grave sites or the normal lives of these people you'd know that it wasn't all for nothing. Especially when you have everyone from little kids to the elderly coming out their houses showing their thanks with smiles and home made flags, The macy's day parade had nothing on some of this showing of gratitude from some of these towns.

I currently sit in the middle east. I am not a sodier(ex-soldier) but I am over here doing my part. I was provoked one september day and I chose this way of life. I do this for my son and family back home. A smile, a card, an email, a simple thanks means the world to so many here that serve. Christmas day is 2 1/2 hours from now. I will call my son in the morning and tell him Santa picked up the presents from his daddy to deliver to him. Merry Christmas to all.