Happy holidays Fellow Bengal Fans

[combatbengal]

You know, every now and then we sit around and ask the question, why do we do this job (our current employment)? Most Soldiers will tell you, it's for God and Country. What would be a Bengal player response? If the players and team had the same work ethics, commitment, desire and drive as the American Soldier does, they'd be unstoppable. ArmyBengal can contest to one of our mottos, one team, one fight! Hope you enjoy this poem.

Soldier's 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 to o 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,

Or 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."

[ArmyBengal]

Hey Combat, someone sent me this poem in an email not long ago and it kinda hit home for me. ArmyBengal Jr. is now just about 14 months, 15 when I get home and I will have spent a total of 6 weeks with him since he was born. It makes it pretty difficult during the holidays, but as you said, some things are just more important. "God, Country, Family" and another I have in my profile here that I've used as my time as a medic, "My Mission, My Men, and then Me"... It's all about things having more importance than yourself and having the desire to do something about it.

Here's to wishing all of BengalsZone a VERY Happy Holiday season from Afghanistan !!!

WHODEY !!!

[HoosierCat]

Here's to wishing all of BengalsZone a VERY Happy Holiday season from Afghanistan !!!

Back at ya. If I could snap my fingers and trade places with you for Christmas Day I'd do it no questions asked.

Of course, they better hope no one gets hurt that day because beyond "rub a little dirt on it" I got nothing...

[BengalszoneBilly]

Here's to wishing all of BengalsZone a VERY Happy Holiday season from Afghanistan !!!

And you keep your head down, call in air support when you need it, and be with us state side next year Soldier!

Go Army! Go Navy! Go Air Force! Go Marines! OoohRaah, and Happy Holidays to all in our Armed Forces!

[combatbengal]

ArmyBengal, when you get back, an need a position, look me up. I'll find a slot in my company for you. AMEDD Recruiting. you cna finish up your career out here. Be safe.

CPT M

[AGrizzlyBaer]

army i know we've said it many times but take care of yourself, and come home soon.

[ArmyBengal]

Thanks guys, 44 days and COUNTING !!! Combat, thanks for the offer, but I will be taking over the medical exams department of the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota when I return. Not exactly Florida and beaches, but it will allow me to go home to my family every day until I retire and that alone will be WELL worth it. I have a few more educational goals I will be able to finish up and hopefully see a little Miss ArmyBengal added to the family !!!

Thanks again for directing this thread my way, but there are many people out there who deserve much credit for the jobs they do and good teachers are at the top of my list along with Police and Firemen...

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

WHODEY !!!

[casbengal]

You have my utmost respect and deepest thanks.

[redsbengalsbucks]

I love that poem, it touches my soul as most poems do not.

I would like to add my thanks and gratitude to all the servicemen (active or retired) that are part of this wonderfull board.

I appreciate your sacrifices and your loyal service to the nation and it's people.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and a safe and happy new year.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Here's to wishing all of BengalsZone a VERY Happy Holiday season from Afghanistan !!!

And you keep your head down, call in air support when you need it, and be with us state side next year Soldier!

Go Army! Go Navy! Go Air Force! Go Marines! OoohRaah, and Happy Holidays to all in our Armed Forces!

I just received this pic from ArmyBengal in Afghanistan. You're looking good there with your sidearm under the tree Mark. Did Santa bring you that?

[Bengals1]

Merry Christmas AB and to all our brave service men and women across the globe. May they all return to us safely one day.

[jjakq27]

Thanks for being there guys. While guys like me sit here in my home all safe and warm, complaining about a football team. You are simply the best. Safe travels to both of you.

[ArmyBengal]

Thanks Billy and my 9mm goes everywhere with me, so when I'm in my room, it's on the table. I painted the room myself, as it was nothing more than a plywood box when I got it. I found some paint and put a Bengals spin on the place. Couple that with my jerseys and I was in business. Mrs. ArmyBengal got me Carson's USC jersey for Christmas !!!

If you look, you can see my calendar with the days crossed off. That has been my morning ritual since I got here in January and there aren't many days left. The blanket on top of the bed is also a Bengals Christmas gift. The pillow has ArmyBengal Jr's picture on it so he's the last thing I see before I go to bed and the first thing I see when I wake up. The little ornament on the wall is a handprint of my son as well. The stocking and tree were sent to me by some of the Support the Troops groups in Cincinnati.

It works for a plywood box, so no compaints !!! I just wanted everyone to see I'm still making Christmas happen all the way over here !!!

Thanks again Billy and Merry Christmas to all Bengalszone members and their families. Be safe !!!

WHODEY !!!