Happy Holidays

With the holidays upon us, I send you fond wishes for a joyous season, filled with love and happiness. From Our Family to Yours.

Bob and Cathy
ColoradoCops 8) 8)

Let me add to Bob & Cathy's wishes as well. Just got back from spending a month with some of our deployed forces. Please remember these dedicated Americans & their famililies in your prayers at this season for Thanks and Peace on Earth. To a person, each said the same thing to me about what their main concern was -- it wasn't their safety but was concern that their families were OK. In the AF one of our core values is Service Before Self, and these young Americans are truly serving without regard for self.

God Bless you all, and Seasons Greetings, and God Bless America.

Ed & Bev

We would like to echo the above sentiments and pass along our own. As we gather with family and friends it is certainly wonderful to celebrate our blessings and give thanks to our creator.

Blessings and joy to you and yours not only at this holiday season, but forever and ever.

Jim & Deanna

Amen! Could not have said it better myself. Thank you guys. From our family to our extended TM family - Happy Holiday Season. May peace be with you.

Gregg

Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep.
I tried counting backwards. I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned - the dark meat and white
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door
And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round
'Til All of a sudden, I rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But I managed to yell as I soared past the trees ...
"Happy eating to all: pass the cranberries, please.

May your stuffing be tasty. May your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes 'n gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious. May your pies take the prize.
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[Civil_War_Buff]

May the peace and joy of the season be upon all of you. My you be richly blessed this festive time and always remember those who are away from their families during this holiday season. I want to thank everyone of the members and guests of this board for enriching my life in ways that go beyond words. I hope to meet each and everyone of you someday.

Have a very Merry Christmas, and a Joyous and Happy New Year, from our home to yours.

Blessings.

Larry & Veronica

I can identify with things efelker......here's a poem that rings true to me.......

'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 JUST WHO
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 MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
AND ON THE WALL PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBERING THOUGHT
CAME TO MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
SO DARK AND SO DREARY,
THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
NOW I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO 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 A 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 GROWNUPS 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 COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND 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 CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND SOON DRIFTED 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 EVENING'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."

This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan.

[glow=red,2,300]Happytrails......[/glow]