A Christmas Letter To The U.S. Forces in
Written by imager30 on 2007-12-26 12:29:26
Originally posted on my Blog Christmas morning
Here we are, Christmas day, 2007. Children are waking early and running to the well decorated trees to see what Santa has left under the tree for them. The excitement is so palpable that photographs are disappointing upon review. They never seem to capture the true sense of the moment - the excitement and the joyous emotion are too elusive to capture.
Photographs aside, the day remains special and moment after moment appear to be magical for the children. Their expressions change from anticipation to surprise, excitement, joy and curiosity over what is to come next. In some households one may find the look of disappointment on someone other than the photographer. Sometimes a child doesn't get the one thing he or she wants and sadness appears on his or her face. As adults, our hearts drop in sympathy, if not understanding, for them and we wish we could do more.
This year, my wife and I are home enjoying a day off with each other. Later in the day we will go to visit our sons and their children. We are anxious to see how the two year old is reacting to the first Christmas that will have any meaning for her, as rudimentary as that may be. She's a little girly girl and she's going to get lots of "Little Princess" stuff, dolls that can be dressed and a variety of outfits for each. Her favorite toy to date has been a doll house that she plays with every day; so, it will be interesting to see if she is changed in any way by the holiday.
My Christmas morning, however, has been spent wondering about those who make the fine gift of freedom possible. Those children who are waking in a land far from home and who will soon grab their tools and begin the task of ensuring that next Christmas is even better than this one.
First, they wander sleepy eyed to the wash room to prepare themselves for the day. Next, they dress themselves in their camouflage suits, they pick up their weapons and wander out the door into the unknown of the dawning day. Some go out on foot, others are transported to their work areas by jeeps or armored vehicles and others move to man telephones, desks, computers or loading docks. These are the real elves of Christmas - the men and women of the United States military.
These are our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers, our uncles and aunts, our cousins, classmates, soul mates and saviors. These are the people who are responsible for the gift of liberty that our mother country provides to us. These are the men and women who keep the gift given by our founding fathers alive. These are the men and women who represent hope to the oppressed and fear in the hearts of their oppressors.
To each and everyone of you out there serving our nation and affording me the opportunity to sit hear blogging, thank you for my freedom. Thank you for the freedom of my children and grand-children, thank you for your sacrifice. I am saddened that I can not wipe the tears of disappointment from your eyes. I am saddened that I cannot guarantee you a safe trip home. If I were Santa, I would give you that wish, but I'm not Santa.
Like you, I've grown too old and too weary of the world for Santa, and like you I wish that wasn't so. I would give anything to become a child again. I can still remember the magic I felt upon waking and running down stairs to the beautifully decorated tree looking for packages with my name on them.
Here is your package from me. I hope you like it. I can't give you anything close to what you are now providing for me, but I send this gift to you with genuine affection and a deep commitment to get the most out of this wonderful gift of liberty that you've given me. I will work hard to preserve our freedom and democracy for your children and grand-children. I will stand with you on whatever level I can to fight your cause and to help get your voices heard. I will never forget you and I will always love you. Merry Christmas and may you all have a safe New Year and a ticket home soon.
Posted by Rick "Doc" MacDonald at 11:35 0 comments Links to this post
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