Military Appreciation at Christmas....(2006)

[American Patriot]

Stranger gets Marines home for holidays (CO blizzard)
The Rocky Mountain News ^ | December 22, 2006 | Stuart Steers



As far as Stacey Kible is concerned, Santa drives a Ford Windstar.
Kible was despairing that her son Matt Kible, a 20-year-old Marine, would not make it home for Christmas. Matt, who is stationed in Japan, was stranded at San Francisco International Airport. He was told that he probably wouldn't be able to get a flight to Denver until Christmas Day.
Matt Kible met three fellow Marines at the airport, all of them trying to get back to Denver. Two were returning from Iraq.


The four young Marines commiserated that they might not be able to be with their families at Christmas. None of them was old enough to rent a car, and the blizzard that descended on Denver seemed about to ruin their plans.


"Our hopes and dreams were shot when they told us we couldn't get home for Christmas Eve," said Chris Redlin, a 21-year-old Marine from Aurora who is also stationed at Okinawa.


Then a stranger came bearing gifts.


"We thought we were out of luck, and then this guy named Paul, out of nowhere, just walked up to us," Matt Kible said. "He said he lives in Englewood and could rent a car."


The next thing they knew, Paul Deines and four Marines were in a van on their way to Colorado.


"I'm a veteran myself," said Deines, 50, who served in the Navy. "I know how it is, being away from home on Christmas. I said, 'Let's get together and do something about it.' "


Deines had been in San Francisco on vacation. "That's what happens when people get together and help each other out," Deines said.
For the Kible family of Centennial, Christmas this year will be especially meaningful because of the kindness of a stranger.


(Excerpt) Read more at rockymountainnews.com ...

[American Patriot]

Flying J Sends Private Jet For Soldiers Stuck In Denver
My Fox Utah ^ | Thursday, 21 Dec 2006 | Arikka Von



While thousands of civilian travelers are stuck in Denver, a handful of Utah soldiers were given a lucky break, courtesy of Flying J. Fox 13's Arikka Von has more.
Vid

[American Patriot]

President Visits Wounded Soldiers
AP via S.F. Chronicle ^ | Friday, December 22, 2006




President Bush made bedside visits to troops on Friday, continuing an annual pre-Christmas tradition of comforting soldiers that he began after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.


Bush and first lady Laura Bush traveled to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, visiting with 38 patients among those being treated there for injuries suffered in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Along the way, the president awarded 16 Purple Hearts.
Afterward, they were joining Girl Scouts from Maryland and Virginia and children of hospital staff to briefly wrap and sort presents that will be given to families and children of wounded military personnel on Christmas Day.


Later Friday, Bush was to head for Camp David, where he planned to remain with his family through Christmas.


(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...

[American Patriot]

Twas the Night Before Surrender
Human Events ^ | 12/22/2006 | Catherine Moy




Twas the Night Before Surrender by Catherine Moy
** Dedicated to our Troops **


T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the land We argued about our troops in the faraway Sand. Our politicians grabbed pork with so little care, While our soldiers risked life, limb and soul over there.


Congress was nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of another win danced in their heads. Our soldiers dodged bombs, bullets and suicide freaks While protesters hung their effigies on our streets.


Inside the Beltway there arose such a clatter, Another Kennedy crashed a car, its window in shatters. The Capitol police flew like a flash, But the Kennedys just gave them some cold, hard green cash.


Thousands of miles away, how could our soldiers know, That our support was more than just pomp, smiles and show? When, what to their wondering eyes should appear, But a half-baked report that made surrender clear.


What of Justin and Casey, once lively and strong, They’d given their lives, how could it be wrong? Patriots fought back, called the cowards by name, “Come from under your beds, have you no shame?”


“Now Murtha! Now Al Gore! Now Obama! Now Kerry! And your first woman speaker, oh, this could get hairy! Our soldiers stand strong as you cut off their funds, They leave behind their blood, as you cut, turn and run.


Stop where you are, Kennedy, get out of the booze, Our colors don’t run, we can’t and won’t lose. Remember Sept. 11, and the radicals who pray, That they cut our throats and kill Santa’s great sleigh.


And now, as we look to the north for the miracle star, We get on our knees, and pray for peace here and far. We will not falter, if we stand all together, In cold desert nights, whatever the weather.


We love our men and women, so far from their home. This Christmas we pray for them, so they don’t feel alone. We will stand by them, as they drive the enemy from sight, Then Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!


THE AUTHOR: Catherine Moy is a columnist for the Vacaville Reporter newspaper and co-author of "American Mourning: The Intimate Story of Two Families Joined by War, Torn by Beliefs" - a book about our troops she co-wrote with Melanie Morgan of Move America Forward.