Holliday Cheers

Merry Christmas to you. May the new year be full of opportunities for more shooting.

Merry Christmas to all. Hope it's a safe and joyful one.

"Merry Christmas, My Friend"
by Corporal James M. Schmidt, USMC, 1987

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 dwelling did live.
As I looked all around, a strange sight to see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking on the mantle, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
Medals and badges, awards of every kind,
a sobering thought came alive in my mind.
This house was different, it was dark, it was dreary.
I found the home of a soldier,I could see that most clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping silent,alone.
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.
His face was so gentle, room in such disorder,
Not at all how I pictured a U.S. soldier.
Was this the hero, of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, a floor for a bed?
Then I realized the other families that I saw this night
Out there lies the soldiers who are willing to fight.
In the morning around the world, children would play
Grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
But they all enjoyed freedom, each month through the year,
because of soldiers like the one lying here.

I couldn't help but wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in lands far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye.
and I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened, I heard his 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, and continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours,so silent and still,
as both of us shivered from the cold night's chill.
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 with a voice soft and pure.
He whispered, "Carry on Santa,it's Christmas Day,
all secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend,
May God bless you this night.

Thanks for that Mr. 1976B.L.Johns. You had to choke me up so close to Christmas.
Semper Fi, carry on.
Merry Christmas.

ontarget said:

Thanks for that Mr. 1976B.L.Johns. You had to choke me up so close to Christmas.
Semper Fi, carry on.
Merry Christmas.

Click to expand...

Merry Christmas to you, "ontarget" and to all of THR and especially to all the Military serving our country!!!. I did not serve our nation(back problems), but I have a great respect for our soldiers! My Dad was in the Air Force , his brother in the Marines(two Purple Hearts) and coincidentally my oldest son in Fox Company, the same as my uncle in the Marines. Read that poem yesterday and it also touched me. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! God bless America!

That's a great version of the classic poem.
Taking the "Duty" on Christmas was the standard present to the married guys on the ship from us single guys way back when I was in the Navy.
Merry Christmas to all,both here and "On Duty" elsewhere.

Rest ye merry, gentle ladies and men alike
To each, to all, pleasant good cheer
To be as close, or afar, from those most dear
As is mete for life with little strife.

Let your travels be short, Your travails few
To be joined to kith and kin at inviting hearth
Cousin Eddie's boasting no more than a lark
And children sweet and dearm jast as when new

Let us all be well met here, even if afar
Boisted in like spirits, or e'en shared quaff

Christmas is Monday... A mod should come along shortly and say "this is not firearm related, there for off topic for THR." But yes, merry Christmas (not happy holidays). Happy birthday Jesus, in advanced.

Find your longest barrel to erect as a pole and air your grievences.
And I hope you all get a can of your favorite round or that Red Ryder you always wanted.

Merry Christmas back at ya, MTNSTRYDER, and to all the THR members. Looks like it's going to be a snowy one for folks in these parts.

Merry Christmas. Might go shoot some .22LR in the mountains today!

Edited to add: it’s 4 degrees outside. Maybe clean guns instead?

Ks5shooter said:

View attachment 772285

Click to expand...

Festivus for the rest of us. Best sitcom ever made.

Merry Christmas to all of my firearm friends.

Read a chapter from the Bible
Any book will do.
That will be your gift to me,
And in return, my gift to you.

Merry Christmas to all!

And thank you to all THR and all its members that held my hand over the year as my reloading advanced.

To mentor someone is a wonderful gift.

Merry Christmas to you all.

May the new year bring love, good health, prosperity, great sex and lots of rounds downrange.

Santa has been and Santa has gone,
he left a Ukulele and a drum set to play on, (yes, really)
when the wrapping is torn and the quiet turns to din,
I'll grab the Walkers game ears he gave me and put them in,
I'll leave them turned 'off', and my tablet I'll take,
and a Cabelas gift card purchase I will sit down and make.
What will I order? Well, let me see,
Snowshoes for the little ones, and papa's fishing sled
Gramma wants a Stormy Chromer for her head,
and wait whats this? A sale that I see!
a Winchester SXFOUR just right for Me!


May the good Lord bless you and your families and all those who spend the night on the floor in our defense.

Merry Christmas!

And a very hearty " Thank you kindly" to you @1976B.L.Johns. In my family, mine wont be the only tears upon hearing that poem, which will be read at breakfast this morning.

Merry Christmas from my family here to my Highroad family!

Merry Christmas to all!! Especially to those working to protect our freedoms and safety this day.

It is so great to here every one saying Merry Christmas again instead of happy holidays that had to be said for so many years to not offend some one.

Merry Christmas to all. Make use of this day as it was intended. Amen

Merry Christmas guys and gals. Enjoy the day!

The older you get, the more you realize that the things you really want can't be bought.

Merry Christmas everyone! Here's hoping that everyone is doing well and in good spirits this holiday season!

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!