
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
One year later

Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas, My Friend
Merry Christmas, My Friend
By James M. Schmidt, a Marine Lance
Corporal stationed in Washington, D.C., in 1986
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give and to see just who
in this home did live
As 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 a far distant land.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind,a sobering thought soon came to my mind. For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen. This was the home of a U.S.
Marine.
I'd 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.
He seemed so gentle, his face so serene, Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine. 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 around the Nation, the children would play, And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year, because of Marines 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 I started to cry.
He must have awoken, for 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, 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 covered this Marine from his toes to his head. Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold, with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold. And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.
I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure, said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right, Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Just another brick in the wall
So on this 20 year anniversary of the destruction of the wall I would like to thank all those who sacrificed to reunite Germany and all of Europe. I would also like to thank President Reagan, Prime Minister Thatcher, and Pope John Paul II for not accepting the existence of the wall as a permanent fixture and Europe. Thank you for standing up to a force of evil that the rest of the world was willing to turn a blind eye to. Two years after President Reagan demanded that Mr. Gorbachev tear down the Wall, it finally was. Only it wasn't Gorbachev who did it, it was the people who answered Reagan's challenge.Friday, October 2, 2009
Brazil to the World: "Yes We Créu!!!"
Congratulations Brazil, I can't wait till 2016. Women's beach volleyball is going to be awesome. Still, I have to feel a little sorry for the Obama's. After all their sacrifice to lose the chance to have the Olympics in their home town in the first round of voting has got to hurt. I wonder what could it have been that cost Chicago the glory of the Olympics. Surely it was not the quality of their speeches:Okay...a little self absorbed but at least she enunciated well and spent equal amount of time between addressing both the right and left sides of the podium. Lets see how her hubby did:
OK, better then his wife's speech but still just as egotistical and self absorbed. Turning a bid for the Olympics into a chance to brag about your electoral victory is no way to endear yourself to other nations. I'm starting to think even world opinion towards our president is starting to turn against him. Watching both speeches, all I could think to myself was "Man, they must love the smell of their own farts." You South Park fans know what I'm talking about.
So Chicago won't get the Olympics in seven years at least they took the news well:
At least they handled it better then the media did:
Oh well, there's always 2020.
Monday, September 21, 2009
A tax by any other name would still cost you money
Here it is, the start of the new television season and already they are into reruns. President Obama continues to pop up everywhere on the telly, showing up on no less then five different shows yesterday and appearing on Letterman tonight, in order to change the public perception on his plans to change health care in this country. Now it seems as if even the media is starting to turn on him. Check out this exchange he had with George Stephanopoulos on ABC:
Monday, September 14, 2009
From NobodyDoesn'tLike
I’ll admit I am one of those Americans who in the years since 9/11/01 passed have pushed the day and the weeks and months and year that followed deep deep deep into my subconscious. Truth be told if asked right now what I did 9/11/07 or 9/11/08 I really couldn't say. I don’t think it was anything other than just a day. It was just September 11th. Usually the girls’ school has them dress in red white and blue and they will gather around the flag and sing a patriotic song. But this year they did nothing. My kids still wore red white and blue. And most years this is the extent of it…the girls in their patriotic garb and me stealing a few quiet seconds in the shower to offer up a prayer for our nation, for all those affected and all those still fighting for us….and then we are on with our day.
For the rest of her post click here and enjoy all of her musings.

