A Different 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 too 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.' >
Unknown
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Love your Country
When an American says that he loves his country, he means not only that he loves the New England hills, the prairies glistening in the sun, the wide and rising plains, the great mountains, and the sea. He means that he loves an inner air, an inner light in which freedom lives and in which a man can draw the breath of self-respect. -Adlai E. Stevenson
True there is just more to it.
flagman
www.flag-works.com
True there is just more to it.
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
1/2 Boy 1/2 Man
1/2 boy 1/2 man
If you read this, you WILL forward it on.
You just won't be able to stop yourself.
The average age of the military man is 19 years.
He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who,
under normal circumstances is considered by
society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind
the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old
enough to die for his country. He never really
cared much for work and he would rather wax
his own car than wash his father's, but he has
never collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School gradua te; he was probably
an average student , pursued some form of sport
activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a
steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when
he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from
half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop
or rap or jazz or swing a nd a 155mm howitzer.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he
was at home because he is working or fighting
from before dawn to well after dusk. He has
trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him,
but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and
reassemble it in less time in the dark.
He can recite
to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade
launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can
apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop,
or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation,
but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.
He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears
the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never
to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend
his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.
If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you
are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition
with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons
and weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all.
He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in h is short lifetime.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends
who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while
tempering the burning desire to 'square-away ' those
around him who haven't bothered to stand,
remove their hat, or even stop talking.
In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from
home, he defends their right t o be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-
grandfather, he is paying the price for our
freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy.
He is the American Fighting Man that has
kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has ask ed nothing in return, except
our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our
re spect and admiration with his blood.
And now we even have women over there in
danger, doing their part in this tradition of going
to War when our nation calls us to do so.
As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . .
A short lull, a little shade and a picture of
loved ones in their helmets.
A Prayer wheel for our military...
please don't
break it Please send this on after a short prayer.
Prayer Wheel
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts
they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'
When you receive this, please stop for a moment
and say a prayer for our troops in
Afghanistan , sailors on ships, and airmen
in the air, and for those in Iraq , Afghanistan
and all foreign countries.
There is nothing attached...
This can be very powerful...
Of all the gifts you could give a U.S. Airman, Soldier,
Coastguardsman, Marine,
or Sailor, prayer is the very best one.
I can't break this one, sorry.
Pass it on to everyone and pray
If you read this, you WILL forward it on.
You just won't be able to stop yourself.
The average age of the military man is 19 years.
He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who,
under normal circumstances is considered by
society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind
the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old
enough to die for his country. He never really
cared much for work and he would rather wax
his own car than wash his father's, but he has
never collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School gradua te; he was probably
an average student , pursued some form of sport
activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a
steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when
he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from
half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop
or rap or jazz or swing a nd a 155mm howitzer.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he
was at home because he is working or fighting
from before dawn to well after dusk. He has
trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him,
but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and
reassemble it in less time in the dark.
He can recite
to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade
launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can
apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop,
or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation,
but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.
He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears
the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never
to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend
his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.
If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you
are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition
with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons
and weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all.
He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in h is short lifetime.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends
who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while
tempering the burning desire to 'square-away ' those
around him who haven't bothered to stand,
remove their hat, or even stop talking.
In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from
home, he defends their right t o be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-
grandfather, he is paying the price for our
freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy.
He is the American Fighting Man that has
kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has ask ed nothing in return, except
our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our
re spect and admiration with his blood.
And now we even have women over there in
danger, doing their part in this tradition of going
to War when our nation calls us to do so.
As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . .
A short lull, a little shade and a picture of
loved ones in their helmets.
A Prayer wheel for our military...
please don't
break it Please send this on after a short prayer.
Prayer Wheel
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts
they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'
When you receive this, please stop for a moment
and say a prayer for our troops in
Afghanistan , sailors on ships, and airmen
in the air, and for those in Iraq , Afghanistan
and all foreign countries.
There is nothing attached...
This can be very powerful...
Of all the gifts you could give a U.S. Airman, Soldier,
Coastguardsman, Marine,
or Sailor, prayer is the very best one.
I can't break this one, sorry.
Pass it on to everyone and pray
Thursday, September 11, 2008
A sad day
7 years ago we lost 3000, today I lost a lifetime friend. Here's to you Charlie. you are already missed
Pat Page
flagman
a truly sad day
Pat Page
flagman
a truly sad day
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Transition
We live in a time of transition, an uneasy era which is likely to endure for the rest of this century. During the period we may be tempted to abandon some of the time honored principles and commitments which have been proven during the difficult times of past generations. We must never yield to this temptation. Our American values are not luxuries, but necessities- not the salt in our bread, but the bread itself. - Jimmy Carter
Is Jimmy looking for a hand out?
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Is Jimmy looking for a hand out?
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Hand in hand with that, we must . . . endeavor to provide a better use of the land for those best fitted for the land. Yes, the task can be helped by definite efforts to raise the values of agricultural products and with this the power to purchase the output of our cities. - FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
If he only knew what bread costs today
flagman
If he only knew what bread costs today
flagman
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Thoughtful Mind
A thoughtful mind, when it sees a nation's flag, sees not the flag only, but the nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols, its insignia he reads chiefly in the flag the government, the principles, the truth, the history which belongs to the nation that sets it forth. -HENRY WARD BEECHER
More than just something flying in the wind
Flagman
Monday, August 11, 2008
Reunions
Have you ever been to a Reunion? What's it going to be like??? Well everything is all right, when you look around and see older but all so familiar faces, Just then a still breeze, calmness, sweeps through you and you know at that moment Yes, Eight. 08-08-08
Calmness for the flagman
How about you?
www.flag-works.com
Calmness for the flagman
How about you?
www.flag-works.com
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Principle
A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle. ~George William Curtis
It's a state of mind
flagman
www.flag-works.com
It's a state of mind
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Enough Said
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.-DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, IN CONGRESS. JULY 4, 1776
What more could be said.
flagman
www.flag-works.com
What more could be said.
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Monday, August 4, 2008
God Bless America
God bless America, land that I love, Stand beside her, and guide her, Through the night, with the light from above, From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans, white with foam, God bless America, my home sweet home, God Bless America! My Home Sweet Home! - IRVING BERLIN. GOD BLESS AMERICA
Everytime I read this I wonder about the word God in the pledge of allegience. What are they thinking?
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Everytime I read this I wonder about the word God in the pledge of allegience. What are they thinking?
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Sunday, August 3, 2008
American Spirit
Friday, August 1, 2008
Rendezvous with destiny
You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children (America), the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our moment here. We did all that could be done. - RONALD REAGAN
Correct me if I'm wrong but is that just one big fat juicy justification.
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Correct me if I'm wrong but is that just one big fat juicy justification.
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Just Do It!
You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every great experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along."...You must do the thing you think you cannot do. - ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
Now thats a glorious way to say Just Do It!
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Now thats a glorious way to say Just Do It!
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Balloon Killer
Just a little bit about me. I like to ride bicycles, motorcycles, and horses while I shoot balloons. Yes, I am shooting balloons while riding my horse Kitt.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Spirit
Millions of men have lived to fight, build palaces and boundaries, shape destinies and societies: but the compelling force of all time has been the force of originality and creation profoundly affecting the roots of human spirit. - ANSEL ADAMS
Spirit is original but all creatures have it
flagman
http://www.flag-works.com/
Spirit is original but all creatures have it
flagman
http://www.flag-works.com/
Friday, July 25, 2008
Fact
America is much more than a geographical fact. It is a political and moral fact - the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality. -ADLAI STEVENSON
flagman
www.flag-works.com
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Standing for
The things the flag stands for were created by the experiences of a great people. Everything that it stands for was written for their lives. The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history.-WOODROW WILSON
Posted by
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Posted by
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Liberties
The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. -SAMUEL ADAMS
This is what our American flag stands for!
flagman
www.flag-works.com
This is what our American flag stands for!
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Nylon American Flag Fabric
Nylon American Flag Fabric - Our most popular American flag material. Nylon is the fabric of choice for outdoor American flags. If you've seen an American flag flying around your neighborhood it's most likely a nylon American flag. Nylon is lightweight to fly in the slightest winds and treated with Solar-Max™ for bright, long lasting color. We use a top quality 200 denier nylon. Our nylon American flags feature full filled embroidered stars and beautifully sewn stripes to display a strong sense of American
flagman
www.flag-works.com
flagman
www.flag-works.com
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Patriotism and the American Flag
Please consider that all flags are a symbol. Alter ego, meaning what? Unknown and known.
flagman
www.flag-works.com
flagman
www.flag-works.com
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