Merry Christmas, Monkeys!

Just wanted to say on behalf of myself and the whole crew at WSO, Merry Christmas and thanks for a great year! Here's hoping everyone has a great holiday, that blackberry service goes down again, and that we all get to enjoy ourselves.

On a serious note, for those inclined to pray (as am I), say a prayer for all the men and women doing the heavy lifting for our country in far flung places under horrible conditions. Take it from me, it sucks to be in a war zone at Christmas. Even if you're not the praying type, keep a good thought for those on the wall keeping us safe. They're there regardless of the low pay, regardless of the danger, and regardless of whichever bought-and-paid-for corporate shill happens to be squatting in the White House at any given moment. Their lives are disrupted, their families miss them and are often distraught, and they ask nothing more than gratitude and respect.

No matter what your politics, these men and women live to serve. They often return home damaged in one form or another. Many don't return home at all. And for what? So that we can sleep well knowing that no harm will come to us on their watch.

For those with the patience to read it, I leave you with this poem. It was sent to me by a fellow Marine several years ago. I wish you all a happy and safe holiday, sincerely. Braverman out.

Standing Watch

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 too near,
But I opened my eye 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"

"Its 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 sisters and brothers

who stand at the front against any and all,
to insure 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.