Lisa Baker!

[Turtle]

Thank you for the nice comments on my site. VERY cool that you too love labs!!!

[Canadian Karen]

Hi Turtle! I checked out the site, it looks great! I tried to post this in the guestbook there, but it was too long, so I posted it here for you, as I see in your site that you are a strong supporter of the troops......

A Different Christmas Poem

>

>The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

>I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

>My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

>My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

>Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

>Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

>The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

>Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

>My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,'

>Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

>In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

>So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

>

>The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

>But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

>Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,

>Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

>My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

>And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

>Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

>A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

>

>A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

>Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

>Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

>Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

>"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,

>"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

>Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

>You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

>

>For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

>Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

>To the window that danced with a warm fire's light

>Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

>I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

>"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,

>That separates you from the darkest of times.

>No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

>I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

>My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"

>Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

>My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',

>And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

>I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

>But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

>

>Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

>The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

>I can live through the cold and the being alone,

>Away from my family, my house and my home.

>I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

>I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

>I can carry the weight of killing another,

>lay down my life with my sister and brother..

>Who stand at the front against any and all,

>To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

>

>"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

>Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

>"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

>"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

>It seems all too little for all that you've done,

>For being away from your wife and your son."

>Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

>"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

>To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,

>To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

>For when we come home, either standing or dead,

>To know you remember we fought and we bled.

>Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

>That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

>

>PLEASE, Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as

>you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our

>U.S.service men and women for our being able to celebrate these

>festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe.

> Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed

>themselves for us.

>

>

>LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN

>30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC,

>Logistics Cell One Al Taqqadum, Iraq

Hugs!

Karen

[Lisa]

Thank you for the nice comments on my site. VERY cool that you too love labs!!!

And what's NOT to love about labs.... Good to see a picture of you Turtle!!!

[almostnrn]

Turtle,

What an awesome site you have. I wish I had an ounce of that creativity and skill! Also, I wanted to thank you for your support of our troops. I know first hand how much it means to them and how just a banner with a signature of thanks, a small note, etc can lift their spirits on a bad day or when they are missing their family. The families here at home love to hear the words of support and encouragement as well. My sweet husband hits 20 years this coming spring and I know I couldn't be more proud of him for his service to this country! Thanks for all you do Turtle!

[Turtle]

Thanks everyone!!!

You guys are too kind!

I appreciate all the kind words about my efforts to support our troops! Our men and women are doing great things over there. And like you said almostnrn, a simple letter can make a soldier's day. Kudos to your hubby for reaching the 20 yr mark. WOW, that's awesome!!! My other half has been in for 15 years and has been deployed 3x already getting ready for a 4th sometime in 07'. This year is really exciting for us b/c it's the first time in 3 years he's getting to spend the holidays at home!!

Okay enough sap for one post! Thanks again girls and glad you enjoyed the site. It's fun to play around with and a great way to keep my family and friends in the loop.

[tiredofdoctors]

Yeah!!!!!!! He'll be home for the holidays!!!!!!!!! You know, it's kind of goofy, I guess, but every time I see a service-person whether in fatigues or uniform, I thank them. Some of my friends look at me like I'm nuts, but I kind of don't care. They deserve our thanks. And our prayers. I'm so glad your husband gets to be home this year. Tell him I said "thank you. VERY much." My cousin's son (he's still my "baby-boy"!) is in Iraq right now. Don't think he'll get to come home this year. Last year, he told them that he wanted leave at Thanksgiving so that he could go to my mother's for her huge dinner. It's so weird to hear such a young sounding request coming from this person who has grown into such a fine man. It was great.

Also, even though I don't HAVE one, I think Labs are fantastic dogs! They're smart, loyal, friendly, goofy and very, very snuggly! My sister had one, and my mom taught it as a puppy to give hugs! It was so funny.

Sending all kinds of good wishes your way for a fantastic holiday. I'm so happy for you.

Love & Hugs,

Lynne

[Turtle]

Yeah!!!!!!! He'll be home for the holidays!!!!!!!!! You know, it's kind of goofy, I guess, but every time I see a service-person whether in fatigues or uniform, I thank them. Some of my friends look at me like I'm nuts, but I kind of don't care. They deserve our thanks. And our prayers. I'm so glad your husband gets to be home this year. Tell him I said "thank you. VERY much." My cousin's son (he's still my "baby-boy"!) is in Iraq right now. Don't think he'll get to come home this year. Last year, he told them that he wanted leave at Thanksgiving so that he could go to my mother's for her huge dinner. It's so weird to hear such a young sounding request coming from this person who has grown into such a fine man. It was great.

Also, even though I don't HAVE one, I think Labs are fantastic dogs! They're smart, loyal, friendly, goofy and very, very snuggly! My sister had one, and my mom taught it as a puppy to give hugs! It was so funny.

Sending all kinds of good wishes your way for a fantastic holiday. I'm so happy for you.

Love & Hugs,

Lynne

I PM'd you!!!

Oops, didn't mean for that reply above to be so huge! Oh well!!

[almostnrn]

Turtle, I"m SO happy for you! There is nothing more special than getting to have your loved one at home for at least one of the holidays....isn't it funny how so many people take that for granted! My sweetie has been home from a year long remote in Korea for almost a year now...I have a feeling the other shoe is getting ready to drop. Oh well, thats how this life goes and I pray for a deployment to a "safe" zone. Enjoy your time together this week.

Lynne,

I do the same thing in the airports!!! I think it is a wonderful gesture and our troops need to hear more of it. Lord knows, they aren't getting it from the mainstream media. Thank you for your thoughtfullness in every aspect of your life. I have read several of your posts and you always have a kind word. I know your health is less than optimal and I thank you for choosing to not be angry as that is the route so many people take. OH by the way, I think your sledding in your chair sounds like so much fun!! I hope you get to enjoy some beautiful snow for the holdays!

[jerseyangel]

My other half has been in for 15 years and has been deployed 3x already getting ready for a 4th sometime in 07'. This year is really exciting for us b/c it's the first time in 3 years he's getting to spend the holidays at home!!

Hi Turtle

How in the heck did I miss this the first time How wonderful that he will be home with you for the holidays this year! Wow

I will keep good thoughts for him going into the coming year--as well as for almostnrn's sweetie!

Now, I'm off to look at your site.

Great site--I left a message

[Turtle]

Thanks for the kind message here and on my site Patti!

Glad you enjoyed it...

HUGS!

[Lisa]

TURTLE:

You need to start a new post and tell your story, sort of like you website.

Tell us about the guy and girls out there.

I thank you for addressing me, but it's lost on people who don't understand how you wrote me back.

Start a new post about the guys and girls in blue, green, kacky and camouflage. (miss anything?). Keep us up on what you can share and what it's like for you and what it all means. We all have out troops in our heart daily as we watch the evening new.

This would be a good thing.

xxoo Lisa