Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )










Reply to this topicStart new topicStart Poll

> " 'Twas The Night Before Christmas", A Canadian tribute
LadyOfAvalon 
  Posted: 14-Dec-2008, 07:56 AM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Celtic Guardian
Group Icon

Group: Scotland
Posts: 3,365
Joined: 18-May-2007
ZodiacIvy


female





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 Canadian, 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 ' Dieppe on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in that Korean Land ',

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,

Something red and white,....a Canadian 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 trench 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."

-Anonymous


In honour of 3 more young Canadian soldiers that died on the field yesterday.


Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
Think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.


ALL HONOUR
TO THE FALLEN.


--------------------
"Few men are brave:many become so through training and discipline."
Flavius Vegetius Renatus

"I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strenght to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
Christopher Reeve
PM My Photo Album               
Top
Camac
Posted: 14-Dec-2008, 08:36 AM
Quote Post




Guest


Main: Registration
Questions: Help
Important: Rules
Messages: Search






Zodiac








LOA;

Another great poem about our Heroes. When I was watching the News last night and it was reported that 3 more of our brave young men had fallen tears rolled down my cheeks. It is always sad when we loose these young souls but it is really worse at this time of year especially for their Families and Loved Ones. Although most of you know that I am not religious but I do pray to my Creator and I pray for all the Young Lions who protect us from fear.

ALL HONOUR TO THE FALLEN.

Camac.
               
Top
RebeccaAnn 
Posted: 14-Dec-2008, 07:57 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Celtic Guardian
********

Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 535
Joined: 17-Mar-2007
ZodiacHawthorn

Realm: Southren Illinois

female





There is a program called AdoptaPlatoon I found several years ago on the internet. If anyone is interested and wants I can find the web site and send it to you. I am an Adoptaplatoon mom and have been for several years now. As a mom sometimes I have a soldier or two to write letters to as a penpal and send them small little gifts and things when I can. At Christmas time and other special holidays I may get a whole group to send to. I just sent out one box of Christmas cards and candy canes a few weeks ago and am working on another small box to send to a chaplin. Sometimes the soldiers will write back but often they are too busy and don't.
The soldiers no matter which branch of the service they are in all express the same ideas. "Just tell us you love us, and never forget." They ask for this above all and for our thoughts and prayers and love. They enjoy receiving books, games, treats, and other things but the most meaningful and important thing is that we remember them always and give them our love and support. They have chosen this life of great service to protect us and keep us free. All they ask in return for their great service is that we Remember and keep the home fires burning for them. Those who have fallen in the fight are taken Home to Heaven forever. They are not lost and we shall see them and be with them again.
RebeccaAnn
PMEmail Poster               
Top
Rindy 
Posted: 15-Dec-2008, 05:09 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Braveheart Member
******

Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 128
Joined: 27-Jan-2004
ZodiacBirch


female





LOA Thank you for posting this. I've not seen it.

RebeccaAnn I think that is a wonderful thing your doing for the troops. I would like the website if you don't mind. Thank you for posting this as well. thumbs_up.gif

Slainte
PMEmail Poster               
Top
j Padraig moore 
Posted: 17-Dec-2008, 02:31 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Celtic Guardian
********

Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 1,098
Joined: 23-Apr-2004
ZodiacBirch








QUOTE (RebeccaAnn @ 14-Dec-2008, 08:57 PM)
There is a program called AdoptaPlatoon I found several years ago on the internet.

I tried to take part in this a few years ago but they never responded to my inquiries.

unsure.gif

Still a wonderful poen though...
PMEmail Poster               
Top
RebeccaAnn 
Posted: 17-Dec-2008, 07:37 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Celtic Guardian
********

Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 535
Joined: 17-Mar-2007
ZodiacHawthorn

Realm: Southren Illinois

female





http://www.adoptaplatoon.org/new/
It's a great program. At Christmas and other special holidays we might be asked to send special care packages to a whole group. Sometimes we are asked to help with a special project. Most of the time you are just called to be a mom or dad to one or two soldiers and write letters, cards, sometimes email, etc.
RebeccaAnn
PMEmail Poster               
Top
Leelee 
Posted: 18-Dec-2008, 07:38 AM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Celtic Guardian
********

Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 6,352
Joined: 05-Mar-2008
ZodiacIvy

Realm: Alberta, Canada

female





Another heartfelt poem you've posted, LOA.....thank you thumbs_up.gif
PM               
Top
Rindy 
Posted: 18-Dec-2008, 09:26 AM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Braveheart Member
******

Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 128
Joined: 27-Jan-2004
ZodiacBirch


female





Thanks for the website RebeccaAnn. I noticed some of the pages weren't working so I will try again today. I think it's a wonderful thing to do for our troops.

Thanks again, Slainte, Rindy.
PMEmail Poster               
Top
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

Reply to this topic Quick ReplyStart new topicStart Poll


 








© Celtic Radio Network
Celtic Radio is a TorontoCast radio station that is based in Canada.
TorontoCast provides music license coverage through SOCAN.
All rights and trademarks reserved. Read our Privacy Policy.








[Home] [Top]