Let us not forget those who are away from home and loved ones, and in harm's way. And those who have, in years past, been away serving in far off shores, and in different countries.
Thank you so much for a great reminder.... we get so tired up in family and friends and worrying about making ends meet that sometimes our minds don't go to where they really need to be! How blessed we are to have these men and women giving us the freedom to have our white Christmas'!!! God Bless our Service Men and Women and God Bless you JohnOh!!!
Thanks for this wonderful display of spirit and patriotism. I never tire of the carols at this time of year. Bing is such a grand crooner of this holiday favorite.
Thanks John for remembering my battle brothers and sisters during this special time. This is a hard time of the year to be in the service having spent 5 out 6 Christmases deployed myself. There is a story that comes to mind and probably one that you know as well that took place during the first world war the one that was given the name "The War to End ALL Wars" if it were only so. The year 1914 the day Dec 24th the place the Western Front. This was the first Christmas of that that time of hell for so many. Gifts had started to pour in earlier in the evening from each countries respective leaders. Princess Mary boxes from England filled with goodies and plum pudding for the English.The Kaiserliche, a large meerschaum pipe for the troops and a box of cigars for NCOs and officers for the Germans. The Belgians and French as well though not to the same degree as the other two. Their time was one of sadness as both countries were occupied by winter of that year. In the late hours across the battlefield an uneasy truce was called and both sides joined in NO Mans land. The canon and machine guns lay quiet and in the air the sounds of Silent Night were heard. Even gifts were exchanged between people who just moments before were doing their best to kill one another. The dead on the field were laid to rest and for a few hours sanity was restored to the land and mans heart. Then hell resumed but for a moment in time even in the midst of hell Christs love shined through the darkness of war.I pray that Christs love shines for each of your readers and yourself my Penguin friend as that special day rapidly approaches. Merry Christmas from the Swamp ^--^
Some articles on the Christmas Truce of 1914. that Gator mentioned above. Some of the troops on both sides, refused to fight each other after the truce, rather hard to shoot someone you had shared laughs, food, beer with, finding out your 'enemy' is basically like yourself. Fighting only resumed in those areas where the troops had been replaced. A small short victory for humanity among an inhuman war.
Thanks for that post Johnoh..and I agree wholeheartly with the beautiful lady..God Bless you and those fine men and women who serve our country..now and in the past.
Excellent follow up John I love coming here for the treasure trove of information you so diligently pass on..no wonder you are the Keeper of Ancient Gator Lore be Blessed my friend
Good thing you didn't play the tune *I'll be home for xmas* or I woulda sobbed !!!! Joyeux Noel from Montréal Québec. To you, to yours... and all those who protect us, what ever flag floats over their heads.
This is a great reminder - one of a kind Holiday greeting post, I must say... thanks for doing all these, John. A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you from your friend in Indonesia... God bless!
Very definitely a small victory for the humanity that is within us all. Thank you for remembering, I love Christmas but I find it quite a melancholy time too!
The pictures tell the story many only hear. But in looking at these, I am reminded of a song I did on singsnap about two years ago I want to share here. I won't give anything away, other than the title which says enough, because it explains itself. I recently finished watching the 10-part series done on HBO a few years back called 'Band of Brothers', and if ever there was a film that captured the heart and humanity of Brotherhood on the battlefield, and off, it was this one.
Semper Fi.
This is for every mother, father, sister, brother, uncle, aunt, grandparent and close friends that has someone fighting in the war currently.
This song, "Soldiers Last Letter", was written, in 1944 by Henry Stewart and Ernest Tubbs.
After 64 years, the words here tell the whole story of what each and everyone of our today's are like.
I long for the day there won't be anymore days for the future yet to arrive.
In the brief words of John Lennon, "Give Peace A Chance."
Uhoh.....I'm getting coal again....and my mouth washed out with soap....I almost made it to Christmas....I mean it was only three and a half hours from the goal....
Thank you so much for a great reminder.... we get so tired up in family and friends and worrying about making ends meet that sometimes our minds don't go to where they really need to be! How blessed we are to have these men and women giving us the freedom to have our white Christmas'!!!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless our Service Men and Women and God Bless you JohnOh!!!
Thanks for this wonderful display of spirit and patriotism. I never tire of the carols at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteBing is such a grand crooner of this holiday favorite.
Thanks John for remembering my battle brothers and sisters during this special time. This is a hard time of the year to be in the service having spent 5 out 6 Christmases deployed myself. There is a story that comes to mind and probably one that you know as well that took place during the first world war the one that was given the name "The War to End ALL Wars" if it were only so. The year 1914 the day Dec 24th the place the Western Front. This was the first Christmas of that that time of hell for so many. Gifts had started to pour in earlier in the evening from each countries respective leaders. Princess Mary boxes from England filled with goodies and plum pudding for the English.The Kaiserliche, a large meerschaum pipe for the troops and a box of cigars for NCOs and officers for the Germans. The Belgians and French as well though not to the same degree as the other two. Their time was one of sadness as both countries were occupied by winter of that year. In the late hours across the battlefield an uneasy truce was called and both sides joined in NO Mans land. The canon and machine guns lay quiet and in the air the sounds of Silent Night were heard. Even gifts were exchanged between people who just moments before were doing their best to kill one another. The dead on the field were laid to rest and for a few hours sanity was restored to the land and mans heart. Then hell resumed but for a moment in time even in the midst of hell Christs love shined through the darkness of war.I pray that Christs love shines for each of your readers and yourself my Penguin friend as that special day rapidly approaches. Merry Christmas from the Swamp ^--^
ReplyDeletehttp://9thinfdivsociety.org/wwiphoto.html
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bandofbrothers.com/interests/WWI/christmastruce.htm
http://www.rwfmuseum.org.uk/nb_the-christmas-truce.html
Some articles on the Christmas Truce of 1914. that Gator mentioned above. Some of the troops on both sides, refused to fight each other after the truce, rather hard to shoot someone you had shared laughs, food, beer with, finding out your 'enemy' is basically like yourself. Fighting only resumed in those areas where the troops had been replaced. A small short victory for humanity among an inhuman war.
Thanks for that post Johnoh..and I agree wholeheartly with the beautiful lady..God Bless you and those fine men and women who serve our country..now and in the past.
ReplyDeleteExcellent follow up John I love coming here for the treasure trove of information you so diligently pass on..no wonder you are the Keeper of Ancient Gator Lore be Blessed my friend
ReplyDeleteGood thing you didn't play the tune *I'll be home for xmas* or I woulda sobbed !!!! Joyeux Noel from Montréal Québec. To you, to yours... and all those who protect us, what ever flag floats over their heads.
ReplyDeleteYou did good John.....and Gator too.
ReplyDeleteThe Penguin always does good and ty as well
ReplyDeleteI hope and wish no more wars in the future.MERRY CHRISTMAS
ReplyDeleteThis is a great reminder - one of a kind Holiday greeting post, I must say... thanks for doing all these, John. A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you from your friend in Indonesia... God bless!
ReplyDeleteGood post....I still have lots of memories of my Granddaddy from WW2 a gift of his drawings of his woman ..my Grandmother....Merry Christmas Dr.O
ReplyDeleteSo True John, thanks for the reminder....
ReplyDeleteVery definitely a small victory for the humanity that is within us all. Thank you for remembering, I love Christmas but I find it quite a melancholy time too!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas John may it be a blessed one.
The pictures tell the story many only hear. But in looking at these, I am reminded of a song I did on singsnap about two years ago I want to share here. I won't give anything away, other than the title which says enough, because it explains itself. I recently finished watching the 10-part series done on HBO a few years back called 'Band of Brothers', and if ever there was a film that captured the heart and humanity of Brotherhood on the battlefield, and off, it was this one.
ReplyDeleteSemper Fi.
This is for every mother, father, sister, brother, uncle, aunt, grandparent and close friends that has someone fighting in the war currently.
This song, "Soldiers Last Letter", was written, in 1944 by Henry Stewart and Ernest Tubbs.
After 64 years, the words here tell the whole story of what each and everyone of our today's are like.
I long for the day there won't be anymore days for the future yet to arrive.
In the brief words of John Lennon, "Give Peace A Chance."
Hugs Bill.....that song always reminds me how blessed I am my Father, brother, daughter and many other loved ones came home safely.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I dropped by here. John great blog. My page on December 25th will be in honor of my nephew make sure to drop bye..HUGS
ReplyDeleteinsertAudioReply('johnoh:video:6','upload-johnoh-6','');
ReplyDeleteAt least you know we love you.....
ReplyDeleteThe intentions were there....
and the smiles and laughter!!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Merry Christmas John!!!.....(you said I wasn't normal....little did you know)
ReplyDeleteis you name abby ..abbynormal
ReplyDeletelol @ gator...that's a distinct possibility.
ReplyDeleteAbby Normal. ROFLL!!!!
ReplyDeleteAbby Normal in the Sky With Chocolate!! A possible song there!!
I had not heard this before Bill, at least not that I can recall. Amen!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful Cherie and Linda, it brought tears to my eyes. Seriously, it brought tears. . .
ReplyDeleteUhoh.....I'm getting coal again....and my mouth washed out with soap....I almost made it to Christmas....I mean it was only three and a half hours from the goal....
ReplyDeleteJust now heard the audio ... did I really hear shades of Lawrence Welk in there??? You two need to take this act on the road. Grinning.
ReplyDeleteJohn? Have you stopped crying yet??????
Beautiful tribute, great song, y'all bring a smile /:-)
ReplyDelete