In 1944, my father was a young airman about to experience his first Christmas away from home! The entire world was engulfed in a horrific war of epic proportions, and it was very man's duty and privilege to serve his country in battle.
But at eighteen years of age, it's hard to reconcile the precarious world of the military versus the sweet sanctuary of home. And the hard life and death responsibilities of the most serious nature don't mesh at all with soft ethereal elements of Christmas.
So when my dad wrote a long Christmas letter to his mother, he covered it by quoting the popular contemporary song "I'll be home for Christmas." My father had beautiful penmanship, and even in a barracks far from home he was able to create something amazing on military stationery.
The song has become the theme of soldiers serving throughout the world at the holidays. That hasn't changed at all in the 65 years since it was released.
So to all of the men and women serving in the military today, I salute you. I know that you wish that you could be home for Christmas too. I thank you for your sacrifice and for the hardships that you have to endure to keep us safe. God bless you and keep you safe!
"I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Buck Ram, Kim Gannon and Walter Kent
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What a wonderful tribute.
Thanks.
WOW now that is beautiful! There is a long line of military in my family...
Wishing you and yours a very beautiful holiday season and thank You for your friendship throughout the year! Much love and happiness now and throughout 2009!
So touching. thank you for this lovely post. Happy holidays!
Richard,
Thanks for reminding everyone to include our soldiers in our thoughts tomorrow. They may not show it outwardly but it affects every one of them when they're away from home on major holidays, especially Christmas.
Rich
A heartfelt thank you to all the servicemen defending our freedom! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Lenn...
Thanks. I am proud to have been entrusted with this treasure by my family!
Midori...
And we should never forget them on these important days! Thanks so much for the comment!
Janice...
You are most welcome, and Happy Holidays to you as well!
Richard...now I know where you get your good looks from! At first, I thought it was a picture of you. You look SO much like your father!
What a treasure that letter is for you! I've got a Bill of Sale from my father when he loaned me money to buy a hot dog cart (There's a blog story, right?)
Here Here to all the Men and Women, where ever they are in the world, that let us wake up and go to sleep in a little bit better and safer America.
Hi Richard-Just wanted to stop in and say Merry Christmas. Congrats on making your goal of 500 posts. I knew you could do it. Great job. I love this post because it does remind us of all the men and women who aren't home on Christmas celebrating with their families. You have much to be proud of with your blogging. It is all excellent. Now I want to share my finished cyber Christmas party(link below) with you. I think you stopped over before everything was done. Enjoy a little cyber Christmas Pat style. May 2009 be a better year for you and all of us. God Bless you.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/845905/Sleep-in-Heavenly-Peace-A-Christmas-Card-for-all-my-AR-Friends-AR-Community-Builders-everybody-in-the-Rain
Richard, this is very touching. I'm so glad you reminded us. It is so easy to get get up in your own lives and forget that there are others, miles away from home who will not get to see family this holiday. xxoo
Rich...
We must never forget the important job that they do! Merry Christmas, my friend!
Caren...
Amen! And a Merry Christmas to you!
Thom...
That hot dog cart thing made me laugh out loud ...literally! Merry Christmas to you!
Cool photo of your father. May you have a wonderful Christmas and some great times over the next few days. Its time for some time off!
Richard, a great tribute to your Father, and to our men and women in uniform. The economy as of late has over shadowed the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, but we shouldn't forget our troops and the sacrifice they make so we can celebrate the holiday season. Thanks and have a Merry Christmas!
Thank you for sharing this with us. It is a special time to remember everyone important to us here and passed. I wish you a very Merry Christmas.
Thanks Pat...
And a Merry Christmas to you ... I'll re-visit the post.
Susan...
And it has been that way since the beginning! Merry Christmas Eve my dear friend!
Laura J...
It is, but you KNOW I can't stop! lol and Merry Christmas to you!
Michael...
No, we should NEVER forget! Merry Christmas to you my friend!
Mel...
I wish you a better than Merry Christmas! Hug everyone for me!
Richard,
This is a very nice sentiment to all of our men and women that are away from home this Holiday Season. I can see why you admire your father so much.
Merry Christmas to you and your family my friend.
Nice Tribute Richard...Our military men and women had it a lot tougher those days. (Not that todyas military is a piece of cake). Great ol' song
For the past several years I have felt very sorry for the men and women who so valiantly defend our freedom at the sacrifice of missing their friends and family on days like today. They should always be in our thoughts. Merry Christmas.
Richard: What a beautiful story to share. Some would hold back something so personal, but I think sharing it is exactly the right thing to do. As for your Dad, I can see the resemblance.
I wish you and your family all the joys of these magical days. There's just something about the Christmas season that makes these wintery days brighter.
Hi Richard;
I hope you have a peaceful and healthy holiday season. Best wishes for the new year!
I spent a couple of Christmas' seasons in the service and can only agree with you 100%, great job!
Richard, I'm speaking with our son in Iraq on instant messenger as I'm reading this and just forwarded him the link. Thanks for remembering our men and women who are separated from their families this Christmas eve. This is his second time to be in Iraq over Christmas. He was actually supposed to get out of the Army in August but got the stop/lost and will be getting out of Iraq in 80 days and out of the Army June 15th.
Thank God for modern technology though. My Dad was in World War II for almost the same amount of time (he was drafted by the Army before Pearl Harbor) but had very little contact from home. My Grandmother had 5 sons in and was not a big letter writer. I love being able to communicate with our son through instant messenger.
By the way you look a lot like your Dad, anyway in that picture you do.
Don...
It is always important that we remember those that cannot be with their families because of their commitment to our country! Merry Christmas.
Bill...
Times have changed, but the honor of serving has not! Have a great Christmas my friend! Stay warm!
JL...
This is the hardest time to be away from family, but what would happen to us without them! Merry Christmas!