***Attention Everyone***
 

> > > '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. He makes the following request:
> > >
"Would you send this to as many people as you
can? Christmas is coming soon and some credit
is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being
able to celebrate this and other holidays. Let's
stop and think of our true heroes who have sacrificed
their lives or parts of their lives so that we may
enjoy our many freedoms."

mike

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

Good stuff. :'(
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Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

Indeed.

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

Word

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

yes very good indeed, makes ya stop and think. :'(

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

For once i have nothing to say :-\

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

:-X

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

I appreciate what the military does and i plan on going in to the marines as soon as im out of college so they'll pay for med school but i was expecting a funny ending i guess im the first one to say that sucked

its an opinion dont talk ----

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

Go ---- yourself you unappreciative piece of ----. I hope they use your dumbass as a decoy IF they even let you in.
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Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

:-\ok buddy no need to get worked up its my opinion i thought there was going to be a funny ending im going into the marines as a doctor so i will be saving alot of these guys lives. and their going to let me in, cause im in rotc and ive already made a seven year commitment 3 in med school 4 active duty, im graduating college in a year and a half and im in boot camp basically the day after classes end. im not unapreciative at all almost my entire family and alot of my friends (some in iraq) have and still are serving in the military. i think you took my comment wrong im not one for sentimental ---- but whatever dude

If you need me Ill be ------- myself---doctors orders ;)

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

Yeah, yeah, whatever :P I guess you are entitled to your own opinion. I just thought it was something that we shouldn't be rude about, ya know? This was written by someone who has been fighting for this country for the past who knows how long and I think he deserves a little more credit. Just my opinion. Plus, I just woke up when I posted that and I'm not a morning person. ;)

Good luck to you. :)
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Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

great post, really makes you think and apreciate

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

Its a bit cheesy written by some one who is probly so far removed from the situation that they couldnt grasp even one shred of emotion in these brave men and women. However it was an excellent message. and a cool approach.. It just erks me when you get this sappy afterschool approach attempting to make most ppl out to be unapprieciative assholes with the poetic talent of a drooling 6yr old. Most people have this rosed colored attitude and feel the need to "educate" the masses just as tv evangelist want to drive sin from our lives. I have the utmost respect and love for our armed forces and pray for them everyday.. I dont need some 2 bit hack with an outlookexpress window and a tear in thier eye to tell me to think of the men and women in the middle east.

-CF

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

Who shat in your bitch flakes this morning? :P

I guess we should all turn our backs on these guys and spit on their efforts since they can't write a poem as well as Edgar Alan himself. ::)
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Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

then delete the post, u ------- premadona!! if u don't know what that means.... look it up!

a 400 post moderator, and he thinks he's GOD!

bite my ass!

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

Ahhhh that was great. Especially after watching the Toby Keith special. I love people that stand behind what they say, and if you don't like it, then ---- off.
Ok, so I was in the Air Force and it was the worst time of my life. But I'm an American to the core and I appreciate everything our government does. Good and Bad. We're still the best. :)

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

I thought that we all lived in the same country guys? Why must we fight. Thats what the forces are already doing for us. No need to add more hate. I know that they are over there for us. My friend left two days ago that I went to middle and high school with. The man wrote a great poem. Better than I could do or most of you. Stay in the good sprit of the holidays for what ever you celebrate. And if you have a questionable comment about stuff like this, keep it to yourself. Thanks

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

that's rediculous, you guys are all arguing over which one of you is more nationalist then the other. If i said what I really want to say you'd all probably never want anything to do with me again, so I will keep my mouth shut. BUt i'll say this, everyone above m post in this thread is on the same "patriotic" nationalist american side as the other, you're fighting over far less important things then you could be fighting over, hug eachother, make up, and go wave around an american flag, while praying for american soldiers. ::)

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

That's a great idea. :P
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Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

lol Put words in my mouth the poem was shitty but the message was great.. and as for this title of premodona.. the problem with my last post is that you didnt understand it. Im so use to dealing with people of intellegence that when I encounter those with out the gift of elementry comprehension, such as yourself, people are often upset. No where did I profess I was "god" I merely gave my opinion on the poem. I'll admit I didnt not read the notice that it was written by a marine, still doesnt change my opinion infact it inforces it. I do not need some one to tell me that I do not appreciate the men and women in the middle east. thats the last word I have to say about the subject.. this is an open forum.. please continue to rip on me if that is your purgative. You are still a valued member of the HMT family and on all other matters except this one no ill will, will be harbored.

-CF

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

nah, i wont rip on ya, we're cool.
mike

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

lol Put words in my mouth the poem was shitty but the message was great.. and as for this title of premodona.. the problem with my last post is that you didnt understand it. Im so use to dealing with people of intellegence that when I encounter those with out the gift of elementry comprehension, such as yourself, people are often upset. No where did I profess I was "god" I merely gave my opinion on the poem. I'll admit I didnt not read the notice that it was written by a marine, still doesnt change my opinion infact it inforces it. I do not need some one to tell me that I do not appreciate the men and women in the middle east. thats the last word I have to say about the subject.. this is an open forum.. please continue to rip on me if that is your purgative. You are still a valued member of the HMT family and on all other matters except this one no ill will, will be harbored.

-CF
wow you took that better than i thought you would

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

You said it douche.

Re:***Attention Everyone***
 

I bet you get all the ladies talking like that. ;)
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