I have sadly, over the past
few months, been unable to maintain my blog as I would have wanted to. I have
also been unable to respond to the numerous comments and mails I have received
via the blog. For that I apologise. I will, however, get through all of them in
the next couple of days. Those comments that are aimed to finding out if I am
still okay, although highly appreciated, will not be posted – not because they
hold no value but because they are personal in nature.
I would like to make use of
this opportunity to wish each and every visitor to the blog a blessed festive
season. To those who celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, I wish you and
your families a blessed, happy and joyous festive season.
To my many Muslim friends
as well as those friends who do not celebrate Christmas for whatever reason, I
wish you a time of peace and joy with your families and friends.
To everyone who is far from home over this
time, and to those who are deployed in the conflict zones around the world,
beit as soldiers, sailors, airmen, law enforcement officers, spooks or PMC
contractors, keep your heads down, your eyes peeled, your weapons close at hand
and be ready to do what needs to be done.
As another hectic year
filled with adrenalin rushes, expectations, waiting, laughter, happiness,
satisfaction, blood, sweat and tears winds down, let us also remember those who
will not be able to be with those they hold dear. They should never be
forgotten. Nor should the sacrifices they have made ever be forgotten.
Thank you to everyone who took time to read
and contribute to the blog throughout the year. Your comments are always
appreciated and highly valued and continue to allow me to broaden my own
knowledge.
Finally, I would also like to wish each and
every one of you – and your loved ones - a great 2013. May the coming year be
filled with good health, happiness and safety.
7 comments:
Have a groovy xmas with your family. It seems we all "survived" yet another end of the world so New years should be especially rowdy. I think we have had 3 end of the world predictions this year, a record for a calender year and we are all clearly still here on terra firma.
Have a great festive break:
regards, Mike
Eeben,
Welcome back and the best possible Christmas to you and yours.
Regards,
Herbert
Hi Eeben,
Merry Cristmas and a prosperous new Year to you and your family.
Regards
Tango
-----------------------------
Military Christmas Poem
By Rod Powers,
'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 The 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 Such 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 All Enjoyed 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,
With A Voice Soft And Pure,
Whispered, "Carry On Santa,
It's Christmas Day, All Is Secure."
One Look At My Watch,
And I Knew He Was Right.
"Merry Christmas My Friend,
And To All A Good Night."
Written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1986. Printed in Leatherneck (The Magazines for the Marines) in December 1991.
Thanks Mike and the same to you.
Yes, I am sure some folks are not too happy that we made it through another year.
As for the end of the world - we may soon be given another date...
Rgds,
Eeben
Many thanks, Herbert. I wish the same to you and yours and hope that the year ahead will be a good one for you.
Pse keep an eye on the mail - it will be arriving soon.
Rgds,
Eeben
Many thanks Tango! I enjoyed the poem too. Thanks for sending it on to us.
Rgds,
Eeben
Many thanks SFMedic.
My condolences to you for your loss. As time marches on, many of us are getting ready to fall by the wayside. Rest in peace, Gerry.
Rgds,
Eeben
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