"Thank You to Those Serving This Holiday Season!" Topic

A Big Thank You to All Those Serving this Holiday Season.
Military overseas and at home.
First Responders.
Police.
Firemen and Women.

There are lots of TMPr's who are serving overseas!

Hear! Hear!

Ditto!

There are a number of variations on this tribute to our Men and Women serving but I like this one best.
This is my first Christmas in 34 years not standing watch. It feels…strange. Godspeed and Merry Christmas to my former Brothers and Sisters. Thank you for serving; thank you for keeping us safe.

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 whom 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 the 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 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 his 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 grown-ups 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 Christmas Eve in a land so 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 regiment."

The soldier rolled over and drifted off 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.

GOD bless them all.

Yes let us always be grateful to those who have our back and provide all of us with peace and security so we and our families can sleep soundly.

+1 Cavcrazy.

God bless and keep them safe.

Most people sleep safely in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to protect them from violence.

May the Lord bless them and keep them safe over the holidays.

Merry Xmas to those on duty!

Regards Allan

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope 2016 brings them all home safely with friends and family.

I get off this morning and don't have to be back until Monday night. First time in years I get Christmas off with my wife and boys with a few extra days. I intend to make the most of it.

On the 31st I'll be out looking for drunk drivers. :)

I second all the thoughts above and god bless all the families who will be missing a mother, father, brother, sister – serving to keep us free.

God Bless and protect them all. I know how it feels.
Ragbones, thanks for posting that poem, I had a copy of it once and lost it. And thank you for those 34 Christmases you spent on watch.

wrgmr1, while we are at it, lets not forget the nurses, doctors, and other medical personnel who take it further from the first responders.

Amen … may they all be kept safe …

Dang it. Almost made it! Got called out at 10pm Christmas night for a barricaded subject, (I'm a negotiator). Some dirt bag got in a fight with his own father and beat him up pretty bad. When some officers tried to arrest him, he holed up in his trailer with a gun and refused to come out. They called out us and SWAT. Luckily he came out pretty quick when we got him on the phone.

My wife is not happy that I got called away. Oh well, at least its premium pay.

Dn Jackson,

Happy to hear everything worked out and your ok.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

God bless them.

Here in the UK, we have had HM Armed Forces personnel helping flood victims in the north of England over the Xmas period, so missing Xmas with their own families. Many of the areas in which they are operating have danger warnings for more severe flooding and risk to life, whilst not at combat levels, is still very serious.

It is rare that we in the UK suffer non-military disasters that require the assistance of our Armed Forces, but when we do they turn up, do their jobs quietly and efficiently, and often pull the politicians' chestnuts out of the fire.

I'm sure all UK members of TMP will join me in raising a glass to them and wishing them a safe and speedy return to their families.

118 homes lost over Christmas as Bush fires rage in Victoria:
link

The volunteer firemen actually saved hundreds more but most poignant is that 3 firefighters lost their homes.

There's been two good days but tomorrow the temperature's will soar to the mid 30s & they'll be fighting again.

Well done, lads.