Comments for We're off!

We're off!

2004-12-24T17:05:21Z

To see the family in Missouri today and tomorrow. I might check in, I might not, it depends. So - if I don't, all y'all have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas, however you choose to celebrate it!

SWWBO, putting the finishing touches on the tree at the Castle!*

The Arsenal does possess a few artifacts relative to the season.

Implements of conviviality: Rum jug, cups, beer bottles, glasses. All WWI and II veterans.

Hymnals. From a while back, when it was okay to say, "Merry Christmas!"

Most importantly,

A "Sweetheart Bible," with steel cover plate (to protect the heart, when worn in the breast pocket of combat clothing).

Containing the New Testament.

And dedicated by Iola, to Joe, for Christmas 1944 - Joe was a soldier in the 101st Airborne, who spent Christmas fighting the Germans at Bastogne.

Just as this year, we have soldiers standing guard, doing dangerous things, in dangerous places, trying to help some people rise above the tyranny that ruled them for so many years.

*For you nit-pickers out there - the tree-topper no longer leans drunkenly, either.

Comment from Ironbear on 2004-12-26

2004-12-26T07:10:11Z

Merry Christmass, John. ;]

Comment from Laughing Wolf on 2004-12-25

2004-12-25T17:59:28Z

John, a Very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Comment from cw4billt on 2004-12-25

2004-12-25T17:10:25Z

Best Christmas present for me was that nobody in my battalion got hurt in Mosul. Wish everybody in America coulda said that, though... But to John and Dusty--Ferrous* Navidad! *as in, "Big Iron"; different meanings to each of you, but both good... To Beth: You probably got stuck critter-sitting at least once or twice during the week, so--Fleas Navidad! To all Castle visitors: God bless you and keep you and yours both happy and well. And, once in a while If you are able save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go. Be not ashamed to say you loved them though you may or may not have always. Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own And in time when men decide and feel safe to call war insane take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind. Major Michael Davis O'Donnell 1 January 1970 Dak To Merry Christmas to all, Bill the Rotorhead

Comment from SangerM on 2004-12-24

2004-12-24T23:32:56Z

And a Merry Christmas to you all! -SangerM

Comment from Casey Tompkins on 2004-12-24

2004-12-24T19:01:11Z

John, That is a lovely tree, and I don't care if the top ornament is sideways; it adds charm... I'm especially happy to see that you are firmly in the "colored lights" camp, as is just and proper. Heh. Merry Christmas.