Op-ed:
A Military Christmas...Past and Present
By: Diane Sori / The Patriot
Factor / Right Side Patriots on American Political Radio
In five short days Christmas will
once again be upon us...the day when Christians the world over
celebrate the birth of one small child...a child who forever changed
the course of history...a child named Jesus...God Our Father's only
Begotten Son. And in just two days the first Hanukkah candles will be
lit...the "Festival of the Lights" it's called...for
Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabees securing control of Judea and the rededication of the Second Temple so very many centuries ago.
But
what should be a festive time for all remains just another day for
those now serving in both our and our allies armed forces...men and
women who are stationed or actually fighting in far off theaters of
war. To them it's just another day to be on guard and pick up arms if
need be, but know that no matter the circumstances those in the
military always seem to find a way to celebrate and honor this most
holy and joyous time of year. And one such quite unexpected
celebration took place just over one hundred years ago during the
First World War.
World War I...known as the “Great
War”...was a brutal and costly war that heralded in so-called
modern-day warfare...a war that saw hundreds
of thousands of civilians and soldiers on both sides dying within the
first few months of said war...a war that had been predicted to be
over by Christmas of 1914. But by December of that year what became
known as “trench
warfare”
had then become the norm with the dead in the field now sadly outnumbering the
battlefield living. But with war being a tiring and ever so weary
business and with both sides sustaining heavy losses, a Christmas
miracle of sorts occurred much to the dismay of high command, for
what began on Christmas Eve and lasted throughout Christmas Day was a
truce along the Western Front...a truce that saw both
British and German troops laying down their weapons of war as they
began singing Christmas carols to one another, while together and
with honor they sadly buried their dead.
Men so tired of war now witnessed the
brutal and blood-stained Western Front in Belgium for but one night
and one day becoming a place of Christmas celebrations and reverence;
where Christmas carols replaced the always deadly sounds of guns,
cannons, and bombs; where Christmas services were held as enemies
stood together in the hope that one day they could be friends; and
where small Christmas trees were placed alongside those men holed-up in
the now muddy, damp, and cold trenches. And on Christmas morning both
German and British soldiers emerged unarmed from a fitful night's
sleep in the trenches, calling out
“Merry Christmas” to
each other from both sides of what was then known as
“no-man’s-land.”
Twenty-four hours of peace and goodwill between enemies...enemies
who even dared to
“break bread,” share pleasantries, and play soccer together...sadly came to end as
carols sung were slowly replaced by gunshots once again for the
business of war always seems to take precedence over the seemingly
fleeting miracle of peace. But for that one brief moment in time...a
moment never again to happen during the
“Great War”...the
very sounds of war were silenced by the spirit of Christmas itself.
But there were other wars and other
Christmases that saw both victories and setbacks happening on
Christmas Eve and Day. And probably one of the most famous of all American
historical military remembrances was when on Christmas night of
December 25-26, 1776, then General George Washington and 2,400 of
his Continental Army soldiers crossed the icy Delaware River. Frozen,
so tired and hungry, and with morale low, Gen. Washington and his men
nevertheless marched as dawn was breaking into Trenton, New Jersey,
catching the Hessian soldiers stationed there totally off guard...so
off guard in fact that the Hessians surrendered to Washington within
a mere hour and a half's time. And it was this, George Washington's
Christmas night Delaware River crossing, that helped turn the then
flailing American Revolution into a war that we could and did win.
But sadly, other American military
actions connected with Christmas Day were not immediate successes per
se, with some actually considered
to
be “temporary failures.” One such example occurred
during the Vietnam War and it involved the air campaign known as
Operation Linebacker II...at the time the largest bombing mission in
U.S. military history. Considered by historians to be the campaign
that led to the end of our involvement in the highly unpopular
Vietnam War, Operation Linebacker II began on December 18, 1972 after
the North Vietnamese walked out on then ongoing peace talks. Referred
to as the
“11 Days of Christmas,” this operation saw
eleven straight days of air raids by B-52 bombers with the only day
when bombs did not fall being on Christmas Day. And on that day our
troops were given a 36-hour respite in the fighting...a respite to
celebrate and honor Jesus' birth...with the bombings starting again
on December 26th and lasting until December 29th...the day when the
North Vietnamese finally decided to return to the negotiating table.
And so while the miles, current wars, and
memories of Christmases passed continue to separate today's brave
warriors from both family and friends as well as from the country
that they and we proudly call home, know that the spirit of Christmas
and the memories of that century old
“Christmas Truce” and
an icy night's river crossing, has been carried on by
our troops and allies today via some of the modern-day trappings of
Christmas itself. Santa visiting our military bases in the far off
theaters of war; decorated Christmas trees being put up on far off
military bases; military equipment bedecked in wreaths and red bows;
our troops being served full-course Christmas dinner while receiving
care packages and presents from home; and Christmas services always
respectfully held; are but a few of the outward signs that Christmas
is not being forgotten by those so very far away from home.
And amongst all the Christmas festivities there's now also to be
found yarmulkes, menorahs, challah bread, latikas, and maybe even a
dreidel or two, for Hanukkah is celebrated and honored by our troops
and certain of our allies as well.
But most of all when the trappings
and festivities are put aside, I pray both those who now wear our
nations uniform and those who once proudly did, know that they are
never far from our red, white, and blue American hearts. And while
here I write but simple words of thanks for a job always well done,
the poem below, as old as it is, still expresses today as it did back
in the day; the true feeling of gratitude that
"We the
People" collectively have for those who fight and who fought
to keep us safe and free at home.
So let we of the Christian
and Jewish faith join together and bow our heads in prayer that maybe
next year our current brave warriors...heroes all...will be home safe
and sound on American soil...and that...from the Old Testament Book
of Isaiah...
"Nation Shall Not Lift Up Sword Against Nation,
Neither Shall They Learn War Any More.
The Soldier's Night Before Christmas
By: General Grenville M. Dodge, dated December 22, 1893
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 the fire, just boots filled with
sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I
could see clearly.
I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the
door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.
His face so gentle, his room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean shaven, his weathered face
tan,
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night
Owed their lives to these men who were willing to
fight.
Soon ’round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright
Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers like this one lying here.
I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
Just 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.”
With that, he rolled over and drifted off into
sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s
chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this soldier from his toes to his
head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on
back.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell
with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States
Army deep inside.
I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark
night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a
voice clean and pure,
“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!
And to that this writer
most humbly says a simply yet heartfelt, "
Amen."
Copyright @ 2019 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved.
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For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, Embellished By Faith, Predicated On Facts.
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RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!
Tomorrow, Friday, December 20th, from 7 to 9pm EST on American Political
Radio, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS
Craig
Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'A Military Christmas'; 'Embellished By Faith, Predicated On Facts'; and
important news of
the
day.
Hope you can tune in at: http://listen.samcloud.com/w/73891/American-Political-Radio#history...or on Tune-In at: https://tunein.com/radio/American-Political-Radio-s273246/
