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Twas the night before Christmas...(WWII style)

PADDY

I'll Lock Up
Bartender
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7,425
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METROPOLIS OF EUROPA
T'was 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,
On the wall hung some pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
A sober thought, came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier, once 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 had pictured an Aussie 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,
In 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 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 night's chill.
I didn't want to leave, on that cold, dark, night,
This guardian of honour, so willing to fight.
When 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.

(Poem written by a Marine while serving on Okinawa).
 

PADDY

I'll Lock Up
Bartender
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Happy Xmas and a peaceful New Year

To all my friends, I truely hope this new year brings you much happiness and peace in your lives. Paddy signing off for 2004, Ireland beckons now.
 

PADDY

I'll Lock Up
Bartender
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Night before Xmas...

Signing off for 2005. Merry Christmas everyone, one and all on WW2 and Jackets.

All you guys have made these two rooms (WW2 and Jackets) the success they have become over the past 12 months to become one of the leading vintage WW2 and Jacket forums across the internet. So thank-you one and all for your dedication, enthusiasm and team-work! Well done chaps.

May Santa be kind to you, in an A-2 sort of style!
 

scotrace

Head Bartender
Staff member
Messages
14,376
Location
Small Town Ohio, USA
Beat me to the thread

T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the Lounge
All the members were hopeful, their family did scrounge
For Strats and A-2's and waistcoats galore
Please oh please, not from Gap - that'd be such a bore
Mamma in her platforms and Pop in his tweeds
wrapped and ribboned the wee ones Santa deeds

Then, the 'tini shaker trembled, the hat rack did shake
I lept from the chesterfield (an original, not fake)
Away past the Morris, the Victor, the bar
to the kitchen where we saw it as though from afar

The fruitcake from Great Granny
Lay over the floor
From fridge to cooker, spattered like gore

When what to my dazed, tipsy eyes did appear
But bits of glazed oranges, apples and pears
With crumbs and rum soakies dotted here and dotted there
I saw in a moment, "it exploded - how rare!"

Our collie named Max knew just what to do
and set about licking pausing only to chew
Now cherries! Now almonds! Now crans and dried grapes!
splurping up suet, figs and dried dates!
From the tip of the counter to the mixer and Hobbs
He chomped and he gorged, till he ate all the blobs

Then, mopping a bit just to suit old Aunt Jane
Mamma and I donned our jammies without pain

I said one more prayer as I lay my head down
That all the good Loungers would find peace and reknown
A new Monte for Sharpetoys
Some grand spats for Matt
Adventure togs for Belly - who could top that?
Miss Henline gets shoesies, her boyfriend new ties
Root some swellegant button-up flies!
Paddy a crusher, from Doolittle's head
JP some boxers; there's hope for him yet!
Ribbon for Arthur, roan for Steve
And best of all, a Falcon, MK to please.

And so the Day cometh, be ye Christian or nay
Happy Christmas to ALL
And to all, THE BEST DAY!
 

PADDY

I'll Lock Up
Bartender
Messages
7,425
Location
METROPOLIS OF EUROPA
Outstanding poetry Scotrace!

scotrace said:
I said one more prayer as I lay my head down
That all the good Loungers would would find peace and reknown
A new Monte for Sharpetoys
Some grand spats for Matt
Adventure togs for Belly - who could top that?
Miss Henline gets shoesies, her boyfriend new ties
Root some swellegant button-up flies!
Paddy a crusher, from Doolittle's head
JP some boxers; there's hope for him yet!
Ribbon for Arthur, roan for Steve
And best of all, a Falcon, MK to please.

And so the Day cometh, be ye Christian or nay
Happy Christmas to ALL
And to all, THE BEST DAY!

What a fantastic piece of work Scotrace!. Just seen it as I pass through on my way to the Emerald Isle for the New Year! Thanks so much for the effort you have put in to compile those fine verses. Yep! Doolittle's Crusher would 'do me' quite nicely!!! Maybe next Christmas, as sadly there was no vintage/WW2 gear in my stocking this time around. But...my dog tags did arrive, so that was a 'sort of' a Christmas pressie to myself!!
 

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