THE SANDS OF CHRISTMAS

I had no Christmas spirit when I breathed a weary sigh, and looked across the table where the bills were piled too high. The laundry wasn’t finished and the car I had to fix, My stocks were down another point, the Dolphins just lost by six.

And so with only minutes till my son got home from school I gave up on the drudgery and grabbed a wooden stool. The burdens that I carried were about all I could take, and so I flipped the TV on to catch a little break.

I came upon a desert scene in shades of tan and rust, No snowflakes hung upon the wind, just clouds of swirling dust. And where the reindeer should have stood before a laden sleigh, eight hummers ran a column right behind an M1A.

A group of boys walked past the tank, not one much past his teens, Their eyes were hard as polished flint, their faces drawn and lean. They walked the street in armor with their rifles shouldered tight, their dearest wish for Christmas, just to have a silent night.

Other soldiers gathered, hunkered down against the wind, To share a scrap of mail and dreams of going home again. There wasn’t much at all to put their lonely hearts at ease, They had no Christmas turkey, just a pack of MREs.

They didn't have a garland or a stocking I could see, They didn't need an ornament, they lacked a Christmas Tree. They didn’t have a present even though it was tradition, the only boxes I could see were labled "ammunition".

I felt a little tug and found my son now by my side, He asked me what it was I feared, and why it was I cried. I swept him up into my arms and held him oh so near and kissed him on the forehead as I whispered in his ear.

There’s nothing wrong my little son, for safe we sleep tonight, our heroes stand on foreign land to give us all the right, to worry on the things in life that mean nothing at all, instead of wondering if we will be the next to fall.

He looked at me as children do and said its always right, to thank the ones who help us and perhaps that we should write. And so we pushed aside the bills and sat to draft a note, to thank the many far from home, and this is what we wrote.

God bless you all and keep you safe, and speed your way back home.
Remember that we love you so, and that you’re not alone.
The gift you give you share with all, a present every day.
You give the gift of liberty and that we can’t repay.
This picture IS Christmas in Iraq!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL, REMEMBER THOSE WHO ARE NOT HERE AT HOME RIGHT NOW.
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR TROOPS!!!

A CHRISTMAS LETTER

I got a letter in the mail today
I read it while many tears I shed
sad and alone this Christmas day
And this is what the letter said

I'm sorry dear. I can't be there
To hug and kiss you Christmas day
Sometimes it seems just so unfair,
That I should be so far away.

But I am safe so don’t you cry
One day I will come back home to you
So please be strong; wont you try?
Love for each other will carry us through.

While I am here in this faraway place
It is so hard to have Christmas cheer
For how I long for your embrace
For it gets lonely over here.

When I return, we'll go away
Up in the mountains, just me and you.
How much I wish it were today;
For I love you dear, you know it's true

Soon I'll come home, you will see;
Then we can leave this war behind
And go somewhere, just you and me
For you are all that's on my mind.

I love you dear, I must go,
For I hear the sergeant, calling me.
I just wrote to let you know
Things will be fine, you will see.

I put down the letter and I cried
I just couldn’t stand to read any more.
For yesterday I wanted to hide
As I saw them coming to my door

On Christmas Eve he lost his life
With deepest regrets I heard them say
They broke the heart of a lonely wife
My soldier is headed home today

MILITARY DIRECTIVES FOR CHRISTMAS

1. An official visit by MG Santa (NMI) Claus is expected at this headquarters 25 December 2007. The following instructions will be in effect to govern the activities of all personnel during the visit.

a. Not a creature will stir without official permission. This will include indigenous mice.
Special stirring permits for necessary administrative actions will be obtained through the C1. Mice stirring permits will be processed through the C2 for proper clearances and obtained through Veterinary Services, ARCENT-KU.

b. Personnel will settle their brains for a long winter nap prior to 2200 hours, 24 December 2007.
See MAJ Dickenson for pre-napping medical requirements.
See MAJ Adams for napping demonstration.
Uniform for the nap will be: Pajamas, cotton, light, drowsing, with kerchief, general purpose, camouflage; and Cap, camouflage w/ear flaps.
Equipment should have been drawn from homestation CIF prior to deployment.

c. Personnel will utilize standard Sharq Market sugar plums for visions to dance through their heads.
Artificially sweetened plums are authorized for those in the unit weight control program. Specifications for this item will be provided by the servicing dining facility.

d. Stockings, wool, cushion sole, will be hung by the chimney with care. Necessary safety precautions will be taken to avoid fire hazards caused by carelessly hung stockings.
ARCENT-KU safety officer will submit stocking hanging plans to this headquarters prior to 0800 hours, 24 December 2007,
ATTN: MAJ Salada, for approval.

e. At the first sign of clatter from the lawn, all troops will spring from their beds to evaluate noise and cause. Immediate action will be taken to tear open the shutters and throw open the window sashes.
PMO Plan (Saint Nick), Reference LO No. 3, paragraph 6c, this headquarters, 2 February 1998, will be in effect to facilitate shutter tearing and sash throwing. Section OICs will familiarize all personnel with procedures and are responsible for ensuring that no shutters are torn open nor window sashes thrown open prior to start of official clatter.
See CPT Donley for hardcopy.

f. Prior to 2400, 24 December 2007, all personnel will be assigned "Wondering Eye" stations. After shutters are thrown open and sashes are torn, these stations will be manned.

g. SSG Bekono will assign one each Sleigh, miniature, M-66, and eight (8) deer, rein, tiny, for use of MG Claus' driver who, in accordance with current directives and other applicable regulations, must have a valid SF56 properly annotated by Driver Testing; be authorized rooftop parking and be able to shout "On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen, up Comet, up Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen".


2. MG Claus will enter quarters through standard chimneys. All units without chimneys will draw Chimney Simulator, M-6, for use during ceremonies.
Chimney simulator units will be requested through SPC Oswalt on Job Order Request Form submitted to the Furniture Warehouse prior to 19 December 2007, and issued on DA Form 3161, Request for Issue or Turn-in.


3. Personnel will be rehearsed on shouting "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."
See LTC Pride for demonstration.
This shout will be given on termination of General Claus' visit.
Uniformity of shouting is the responsibility of section NCOICs.


/s/
CHRISTOPHER K. RINGLE
Colonel, USA
OIC, Special Services

Distribution:
Everybody Who Still Believes

DADDY'S POEM

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back,
for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats.

One by one the teacher called
a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
for a man who wasn't there.

"Where's her daddy at?"
She heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day."

The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.

"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories
he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite

We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.

"Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart"
With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,
her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.

"I love my daddy very much,
he is my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.

You see he is a Marine
and died just this past year
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
and taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.

And to her mothers amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.

"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.

BE AN ANGEL... ADOPT A SOLDIER

I would like to ask you all to adopt a soldier.

It doesn't take to much of your time or money and yet it means the world to these boys and girls to know that we, back here at home, love and support them.
Write them a letter once a week or so, and maybe send a little care package to them every now and then.

I ask that you make this your New Years resolution.....
Take care of someone who is risking his/her life to take care of you!!!

For information about how to adopt your special soldier go to

http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=adopt-a-soldier

The Process:
Basically you apply and wait for an email saying that your approved and then a soldier's name and addy will be given to you and that's it!!
Just start writing!!

I have more than one soldier myself and I have grown very close to every one of them and we write to each other often.
I send them what I can in care packages and they are so very appreciative to receive anything no matter how small.
I like to burn music CD's for them and send them homemade peanut butter cookies.
I bet I have sent enough to fill up a whole bakery by now lol

Anyway, I have been doing this for years and I can give you ideas on what to send if you need any.
But the best thing you can send them is your love and appreciation in letters. Hearing their names called at mail call really makes their day!!!

Some of my babies have gone home but we still exchange Christmas cards every year and an occasional letter.
When one of my babies go home I adopt a new one because I can't stand to sit here and do nothing. I support the troops and I really hope you will too!!!

This is a very good way to feel like your actually doing something to help the war effort.
Good for them and good for you too!!

So please I beg each and every person who reads this........
BE AN ANGEL AN ADOPT A SOLDIER.

Soldiers' Angels
"May No Soldier Go Unloved"

AFTER THE FIGHTING WAS OVER

The soldier stood and faced his God
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and Said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep,
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod,
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

" Step forward now you soldier,
you have borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on heaven's streets,
you have done your time in hell."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THERE IS NO GREATER GIFT THAN TO GIVE YOUR LIFE FOR ANOTHER.
AND IT IS THIS PATH OUR SOLDIERS TAKE EVERYDAY.

C.R.A.P. (COMMAND REDUCTION OF ARMY PERSONNEL)

As a result of DOD budget cutbacks, we are forced to reduce the size of the force. Under CRAP, older soldiers will go on early retirement, thus permitting the retention of lower paid soldiers who represent the Army's future.

A program to phase out older soldiers via retirement by the end of the current fiscal year will be placed in effect. The program will be known as Retire Active Personnel Early (RAPE).

Soldiers who are RAPEd will be given the opportunity to seek civilian employment within the Department of the Army. To that end, RAPEd soldiers will be required to fill out numerous DA Forms (currently in the development, test, and evaluation stage) detailing their education and experience.
This phase does not guarantee retired soldiers a civil service position; it does, however, guarantee that the soldier's unique capabilities will be considered before being bypassed in the hiring process. This phase of CRAP is known as Survey of Capabilities of Retired Warriors (SCREW).

Soldiers who have been RAPEd and SCREWed may request review of their situation by higher authority. This is the Study by Higher Authority Following Termination (SHAFT) phase.

CRAP policy dictates that a soldier may be RAPEd once, SCREWed twice, but may be SHAFTed as many times as the Army leadership deems appropriate.

If a soldier follows the above procedures, he or she will be entitled to get Half Earnings for Retired Personnel Early Severance (HERPES). As HERPES is considered a benefit payment, any soldier who gets HERPES will no longer be RAPEd or SCREWed by the Army.

The Army leadership wishes to assure younger soldiers who remain on active duty that the Army will continue its policy of ensuring that soldiers are well trained through our Special High Intensity Training (SHIT) program. The Army takes pride in the amount of SHIT our soldiers receive and can boast that it gives its soldiers more SHIT than any other service.

If a soldier feels he or she does not get enough SHIT, see your commander. Your commander is especially trained to make sure you receive all the SHIT you can stand.