Better Than I Could Say It

I was browsing the forums at Fark.com, in particular the survey of everyone talking about any crappy/inappropriate/funny gifts they'd received this Christmas, getting a chuckle from all of the funny stuff I was reading, and this post stopped me dead in my tracks put things in perspective. I've never met the person who wrote it, and he's a soldier (sailor?) over in the sandbox, and his screen name is 'FlyNavy'. Enjoy.

From Bastogne to Baghdad, Christmas & war have always seemed to travel hand in hand. Soldiers from most generations have endured Christmas in the face of battle. & in the past 36 hours in 3 distinctly different locations, I have learned two very important lessons about Christmas, the nature of war, & the spirit of the American Warrior.

One ... war is unrelenting. Despite the fact that today was a national holiday & a time normally spent relaxing, opening presents, & watching or playing football, the fighting didn't stop. Throughout the day the drone of war could be heard in just about every direction. Whether it was aircraft overhead, gunfire, or the thump of a distant explosion, it didn't stop. War continues at a breakneck pace. Even in moments of relative silence it hangs in the air.

Two ... Christmas is unrelenting. Last night we held a Christmas Eve service in celebration of the birth of Jesus. In that service, I came to realize that the American soldier is indeed a unique and awesome individual. Despite the roar of mortars in the background, smiling faces sang "Silent Night". Despite the complete lack of greenery for miles, men of all ranks shook hands and sang "Deck the Halls". And despite being away from friends and family, our battle-hardened coalition brothers joyfully sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". Men who look like they'd just as soon break you in half as speak to you, smiled at one another and hugged one another as wishes of "Merry Christmas" echoed throughout chapel. Gifts were exchanged & we laughed as men hollered, "Thanks, it's just what I always wanted" upon unwrapping a bar of deodorant, or a ball cap, or whatever else could be found at the Post Exchange. Today has been no different. With each soldier I passed a hand was quickly extended in greeting as "Merry Christmas" hit me like a freight train. I think I was patted on the back a million times today.

It would be easy for Christmas, and the circumstances we find ourselves in, to be an excuse to foster self-pity or to retreat into a shell of depression. However, our soldiers don't work that way. I am at a loss to express, today, my pride at being an American and my love for my brothers-at-arms. While I do not have my wife and children with me, I am nevertheless with family.

While this wasn't one of my top 5 Christmas's it was a good one, dinner was a feast of lobster, steak, tom turkey with all the typical vegs. We are all well & safe & our spirits are high. We have alot to be thankful for.

There was nothing crappy about this Christmas.

It brings to mind a favorite quote, from that otherwise lame 'Pearl Harbor' movie that came out a couple years ago--

Most people look at those soldiers and say 'Because of American there will always be young men like that', but I say because of young men like that there will always be an America...

Don't forget about those folks putting their lives in harm's way this Christmas so the we can all be here at home--healthy, happy, and at peace.

Mikey