Andy Mcnab
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;-)
>>By Nomad (Thursday, 18 Dec 2003 15:51)
Trident - what was in the notebooks you originally set out to retrieve? I must know, it's driving me crazy ;-)
>>By Nomad (Thursday, 18 Dec 2003 15:58)
Doggonit now, Nomad! You should know better than to ask Trident that -- cuz if he tells you, he's just gonna have to... well, uhm, er... anyway... and if he does that, the board'll be down one man!
>>By am-i-binned (Thursday, 18 Dec 2003 16:45)
F Troop Headquarters
We return to the F Troopers who are busy propping up the bar or burning up the dancefloor. Borisette and gold-hotpanted CR are still 'slow' dancing, much to the horror of CR's girls. Finally he bumbles over to them, smoothing his now ruffled hair.
CR : "Buying me a drink?"
bg : "No" <sulky pout>
CR : "What have I done, my favourite little spy girls?"
B : "If you don't know what you've done, then we can't help you" <throwing her mistletoe away>
bg : "I suggest you go and sit over there and think about what you've done. And stop flirting with every other lady in here"
CR slopes off, trying to ignore the irresistible Borisette.
The music changes tempo, no more slow dancing here, it's party time!
"Do do doooo come on and do the conga, choo choo choo a train across the floor"
AIB : "Woah yeah, come on guys join in"
Dare grabs hold of AIB's shoulders and they race across the dancefloor flinging their legs out wildly. Beth and bikergirl, of course, can't resist...
AIB : "That's it troopers. Choo choo chooooo a train across the floor"
Ort : "Heeeeyyy I'm here!"
Ort throws himself into the conga line trying to stretch for his pint too.
D : "Come on buddy, get your ass on the dancefloor"
Buddy looks a little unsure.
D : "Buddy me old bud, come on dance with me, y'all"
Bud : "I'm coming" <sets down the glass of red and joins in>
Ort : "Hey where's Deus? He wouldn't miss this for the world"
D : "He's just 'ducked' out for a second"
bg : "Ort, don't stop in the middle of the dancefloor, get a move on, this train is backing up all the way to bloody Hammersmith"
Ort : "Sorry mate"
Deus : "Do do doooooo..."
bg : "Better late than never" <wink>
Deus : "come on and do the conga"
They carry on training across the floor.
Nomad, Trident and Lethe stood watching against the far wall, rolling their eyes and tutting.
N : "You wouldnae catch me dead doing that. No dignity"
T : "Know what you mean. Look at them..."
Le : "And they even know all the words."
The music changes...
"When I dance they call me macarena
and the boys they say that I'm buena
they all want me, they can't have me
So they all come and dance beside me"
The three wallflowers jump up and start doing the moves. Trident sticking his tongue out slightly as he concentrates on keeping in time with Lethe who clearly knows the moves better than the other two.
Le : "My favourite song"
AIB : "Hey! Teach me! Teach me!"
N : "It goes a little something like this..."
T : "Hey Nomad, we're the coolest ones in here now"
N : "Too right"
Boris : "Woooooohhhhhooooo" <clearly given up on the best-behaved CR!>
Everyone is too busy dancing to notice Stan and Lynn enter the building, carrying a very groggy and slightly bewildered gold-hotpanted Andy McNab.
L : "The Macarena" <shrieks, dropping her grip on Andy's legs and rushing to join in>
S : "God Save Us, there's no Rolf in here either. Lordie this troop's taste is as bad as the last one"
AM : "Underground? Midnight?"
S : "No chance mate"
L : "Come on Stan. Come on and dance with me, yeah"
S : "Okey dokey" <lets AM drop to the floor>
Andy sits staring around him at the collection of people trying to dance properly to the Macarena.
AM : "Where the hell am I now?"
PR : "F Troop Headquarters mate, bonza bunch here"
AM : "Outrageous. How did you get here?"
PR : "Hitched a lift and surfed in on the roof of the escort, not as weak as you pommie's. Hey hey AIB, there you are mate. Give old Paulie a good US of A welcome" <Paul R steps over Andy, arms wide open>
AIB : "Paul" <gives big hug and over his shoulder spies...>
AIB <shriek> "ANDY!!!! Andy, are you okay? Are you hurt? Lost? Need a friendly shoulder?"
AM just nods.
AIB : "Lynn I knew you would do it. This is such a special Christmas party and what a special present. You and me Andy, we'll be like blood brothers"
AM : "You're a girl"
AIB : "Pretend"
AM : "Okay"
Bud <whispering> "Hang in there I know two people who can get you out in one piece"
No-one cares about showing off anymore, they crowd around Andy, poking and prodding to check he's real.
AM : "Watch the hair"
Ort : "Oooh, cool glasses"
AM : "Not cool, it's so the enemy can't see which way I'm looking"
Boris : "Why?"
AM : "S'pose it looks cool"
CR : "What's all the fuss about? He didn't get away, I did"
B : "Actually Chris, he did. Several times. And you didn't catch him either, Stan did. Maybe you WOULD have caught him if you'd stopped flirting long enough" <Stan grins smugly>
S : "Nah nah nah nah nah"
CR : "Very mature"
S : "Worth it though"
Bud : "Ssssh. Let the man speak for himself"
bg : "Wait! Wait! Wait! There's the little matter of Nick Stone."
AM : "Safe. I couldn't kill him. It would be like putting a knife through me own heart"
Cheers and whistles from the crowd. Andy begins to relax a little.
bg : "And our unanswered questions? The Really Important Ones?"
AM : "I'm listening."
As the music changes to The Locomotion, F Troop sit in a great big pow-wow ready to listen to the words of the wise leader, pints in hand. Ha ha, come on now it is B.A.B.E.S that will be writing this.
Question Time
All questions and answers here are made up by B.A.B.E.S. They are not endorsed, or in any way meant to represent the real answers from Andy McNab himself (just in case!!). In fact it's what we all wanted to know but what the stupid moderator wouldn't let us ask.
bg : "Crisps or chocolate?"
AM : "Crisps. Chocolate goes straight to my thighs"
B : "Bethan or bikergirl?"
AM : "Both"
Beth and bikergirl grin at each other
BG : "Tightrope walking or sword swallowing?"
AM : "Tightrope. But depend on who's doing the sword-swallowing"
Beth and bikergirl look at Lynn
B : "Do you ever use your name to pull the women?"
AM : "Of course! Ummm...I mean...no"
bg : "Outdoor OP or indoor ironing?"
AM : "What? Umm, outdoor OP, ironing's wom....
Boring"
B : "Do you get fed up of the same B20 questions?"
AM : "Most definitely"
bg : "Why do you have to say niner instead of nine"
AM : "You know, it's cool"
B : "Aaahh, running or swimming?"
AM : "Running definitely"
CR : "Stan or Chris?"
AM <long pause> "Both...but not at once"
CR : "Damn it!"
bg : "Ross Kemp or Jamie Draven?"
AM : "Draven"
Beth and bikergirl simultaneously "Good man"
B : "One ten pound note or 100 fifty pence's in your pocket?"
AM : "Tenner. The change may compromise my position in a covert OP"
bg : "That's enough. There are only so many dumb questions one ex-soldier can ask. Pint mate?"
AM : "Definitely, this boy is gasping"
B : "Mistletoe mate?"
AM : "Thought you'd never ask..."
The party begins again...
Just then, a figure walks in...dressed in red with white fur trimmings, a long white beard...
"I'm Santa Claus...Father Christmas...tho' you'll know me best as Saint Nick (Stone)"
Beth and bikergirl gasp and run over to sit on his knees
B : "We've been good girls"
bg : "We've been very good girls"
B : "We've been very very good girls"
AIB : "Outta my way. Outta my way. Who's playing Saint Nick (Stone)? Is it you Viggo?"
AM gets in on the action too. No-one's told him who's going to play the hero he's created. Following his lead, more and more bodies pile onto what looks like an unruly game of Twister.
We'll leave it to the F Troop medics to sort out the aftermath...
B.A.B.E.S would like to thank...
Andy McNab and Chris Ryan for inspiring this production (and the equally lovely Stan for assisting).
Each and every member of F Troop, you guys are special!
Huge thanks to our computers for typing this nonsense up, and the internet without which our creative talents would have been applied to our work.
To latex gloves and lab coats.
Our parents for giving us life.
The Dr's who saved bikergirls hand (and the body armour that saved her ribs).
We thank those of you that have taken the time to read this epic saga that didn't really have an ending.
To Slim Fast (ha ha had to get it in because it all started there).
We're wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and hope that 2004 brings no stress and plenty of playtime!
Did you know 2004 is the chinese year of the babe??
bikergirl would like to thank Beth for being Beth and making her laugh louder than is generally considered acceptable in her place of work.
One final thank you to bikergirl (from Beth, in case you think she was thanking herself!) for the gold hotpants in particular (oh what an image), but not for the extra wrinkles I now have from all this laughing (Bengay give way to Olay!!)
>>By B.A.B.E.S (Thursday, 18 Dec 2003 17:05)
Re "analogy to be interpreted" previous page.
From a Western perspective, yes, your objection is valid.
From Arab (Eastern) perspective, your objection may well be invalid, dependent upon cultural/religious difference.
I don't know how many times I've pointed out "personal affront" on this board instead of subjective (unpersonal) reaction to incidents, tends to display "typical Western" lack of understanding of other peoples/cultures/religious beliefs. There are those in Eastern countries who view the SAS/SBS/Delta Force etc., as nothing more than terrorists by another name - warriors working for political Crusaders. One has to look beyond our own cushy existance to countries in which many live a medievil/tribal lifestyle, albeit sometimes whilst wearing city-slicker suits...
Lethe mentioned a moment of sympathy, (same as most people with moral conscience) the captive seen as scared, disorientated, a once powerful man denegrated before the world (TV).
>>By buddy (Thursday, 18 Dec 2003 17:19)
Holy Cow, tip them glasses, swig that liquor, Jeez, B.A.B.E.S. your scripts deserve air time.
I gotta print them out, nothing for it, worth tucking away for bad days when in need of a good laugh!!!!!!!!
>>By buddy (Thursday, 18 Dec 2003 17:29)
Ohmiword! BABES, you have been well and truly OUTed! Outrageously outlandish (or outlandishly outrageous, you choose!) in your out-and-out outstanding job of outwitting our INtrepid heroes! I, for one, am outright delighted with and grateful for your outtasight humour and the outbursts of laughter you’ve brought us! You two exemplify one of the most essential characteristics sought in any F Troop operative – you’re absolutely outta your minds! LOL!!! :oD
>>By am-i-binned (Thursday, 18 Dec 2003 17:36)
sorry to have kept you so long waiting for the conclusion of the story. Haven't been home in a while (scared to go there because of that remark by bethan...)
i'll try to find a phone booth and an analog modem so that i can upload the last part...
stay hungry...
>>By trident (Thursday, 18 Dec 2003 20:19)
to b.a.b.e.s. = i resent the fact that you've put me up there on a public dancefloor making a complete fool of myself dancing the macarena with my tongue sticking out. My usual behaviour is finding a good corner with an overview of the place and minding my own business. I tend not to draw too much attention to myself.
and now... for the final installement of my tale...
>>By trident (Friday, 19 Dec 2003 01:05)
8. Debriefing
They came and got me after a longer nap than usual, perhaps around 0200, and questioned me again, but I held strong and silent. then I was back in my cell again. It was still dark outside the next time they opened the door. Two of our instructors came in and hauled me up and took me into the interrogation room again. I saw our CO standing there, asking if he knew what his rank was. I answered that I couldn't answer the question. He turned to his left and I saw that he was wearing captain's stripes although he was a major. He told me to open the envelope that I had in my pocket. I had no idea of what he was talking about. He came over to me and took it from my pocket, where I assumed should have been nothing and opened it. He told me to read it. The paper said that when I see some instructor wearing false insignia, it would mean the end of the excercise. I read the paper over and over again, and stared at the stripes and counted them in my mind many times to see if I'd understood it correctly. He told me to answer the question about his rank, to which I answered after a long hesitation: Major.
My CO came over and gave me a pat on the back, and left me alone for a while. I broke down completely. It was over. After 5 minutes, when I'd regained composure, I finally stood up and went out of the cabin and was asked if I wouldn't mind going into the next one. There I saw the rest of the guys for the first time since leaving them in a hurry some 24 hours ago. They were all completely knackered, but their eyes told a different story. Jones was missing, and we were told that he'd been taken to the infirmary during sunday evening. Everyone was congratulating us on an excellent job, and NOT ONE of us had strayed from the Big Three. A nurse that would have made a sterile man loose blood from his brain came in and checked us. Our feet had suffered the most, and removing the surgical tape that we had put on was yet another test of pain thresholds. Our feet looked like we'd been walking with Moses in the desert for 40 years without shoes. We couldn't believe our bad luck. Here was the hottest nurse ever, and we all looked like Saddam after being dragged out of his spiderhole. My feet didn't fit back into my boots anymore, but there were sandals for us to wear. We got into a van and were shipped back to our base camp. I was anxious to hear the others' story, and was going to bring it up on the ride home, but before I could ask anything I was out like a light. It was light when we got to base camp, and we were told to clean all equipment first, then proceed to personal maintenance. We started to discuss a bit of our journey as we sat there cleaning our weapons, magazines, mines, pans and tent. We got to go to the sauna, and the shower that followed, was the longest and best shower ever. I must have used up more water than an average family does in a week, but I told myself that no one would take this moment away from me. We got the rest of the day off, and checked our feet and compared stories. We went to see Jones at the infirmery and talked to him a while. He seemed in a good mood. The only dark cloud above his head was the worries that he had let us down. We took a piss at him and complained that we had to clean up his stuff aswell. He had a fracture in his knee and was hopping around in stilts for a month. On tuesday morning we had a 0600 wakeup call, and we all still limped to the morning call. Our CO shouted:
'The only easy day was yesterday, squad!'. To which we shouted back in unison: 'The only easy day was yesterday, SIR!'
>>By trident (Friday, 19 Dec 2003 01:06)
Guess it must have been a great honour when you've finished the "test", right Trident?
:)
Glad for you, really! And thanks for sharing this with us!
... did you ask the hottie nurse for her cellphone number at least?!!?
>>By Deusrexmachina (Friday, 19 Dec 2003 02:41)
"My usual behaviour is finding a good corner with an overview of the place and minding my own business. I tend not to draw too much attention to myself."
Oooh, Trident! Ever the grey man, eh? ;o)
Regardless of your greyness elsewhere, I'm extremely glad you've broken your SOP with us -- there's absolutely nothing grey about your story! Terrific job! And especially humbling considering that English is a second language for you. But now please, if you'll excuse me, I need to rub a bit of BenGay into my aching hands and arms, now that you've finally allowed me to release my grip on your cliff...
Very well done, Trident! Thank you! :o)
>>By am-i-binned (Friday, 19 Dec 2003 02:48)
Pass on the BenGay AIB, painful jaws :o)
>>By Lynn (Friday, 19 Dec 2003 09:25)
Come on Trident, even CR admits to dancing badly in TOTGA (revised version) and it's Christmas - just slip on a Santa Claus suit and you'll blend in anywhere!
Never mind the goddamn nurse, what about these notebooks - I read all the way to the end - fantastic story, had me gripped all the way but not a mention of the notebooks beyond the first objective - very disappointed. :-(
have a lovely Christmas everyone and B.A.B.E.S I thoroughly look forward to the next installment in 2004 -
>>By Nomad (Friday, 19 Dec 2003 10:37)
Real spirit of the moment Christmas fun-time, Trident - good stuff, but no musical chairs to sort the men from the boys?
I reckon AM, playing dumb knackered sneakily acquired the notebooks and shoved 'em up his hot-pants...
--------
Being typically feline curious about BenGay cream, not readily/easily available in UK drugstores/pharmacies I looked up ingredients.
Camphor = active ingredient in BenGay Cream: (Cinnamomum Camphora) is used in burial rituals and embalming in East Asia. The woody structure of the plant can be used for masks = ritual theatre preformed in Buddhist temples = purification and promotion of celibacy! (mind boggles here)
Herb of consecration, and purification. Funeral herb, also visionary herb. Used to cleanse ritual tools by either burning Camphor on incense, or rubbing them with it's oil.
Camphor, if readily absorbed through the skin produces the sensation of warmth and local anesthesia = quality which makes it a good natural bug bite reliever. It's pure oil state can be poisonous if you use too much of it or use it for a prolonged period. Of course, it's used to protect clothes from silverfish and moths.
BenGay oil is used in BenGay cream for its perfume to disguise camphor odour, yet the product is called BenGay...
Nomad: Did you know camphor attracts cats! Interesting, that, ain't it...Perhaps it's better than C5 & CK, or maybe that's the key ingedient in C5 & CK, not the pooey Linx factor...
>>By buddy (Friday, 19 Dec 2003 11:22)
A profound (or at least I like to think so) thought entered my mind the other day.
Those of you who have watched a DVD or two are probably aware of the additional feature of "director's commentary". This is a bonus-thing where an audio-track of the director commenting on the movie is put "on top of" the original movie. After watching a couple of these the other day, something occured to me: What an asset it would be for writers to have a similar oppurtunity. Obviously, it's not technically feasible, but I can come to realize that after hearing what the director had intended with this-and-that shot, why he placed the characters in a certain fashion, why he selected that particular location etc. etc. I was almost leaning towards liking a movie I otherwise wouldn't. Now, in this particular case, the movies in question were Terminator 3 and Hulk. Even with the director's commentary I still think they're crappy movies (hehe), but it was at least interesting to learn what the director intended and why he decided to tell his story the way he did.
I can't help but think that it would've been interesting to hear a "director's commentary" of an AM or CR book.
>>By ortlieb (Friday, 19 Dec 2003 11:39)
Trident:
I was amused when I read about your instructors SOP on link-up procedure (Jesus-pose with weapon in left hand), and obviously "they had been inspired by a certain book". I experienced the excact same thing at NCO training school in Norway (I know, it sounds wussy, but it's the correct translation non-the-less. I'm a recon-rat though, so perhaps that gives me some extra cred ;)
There were A LOT of "Regimental" inspired SOP's and references to various literary pieces of McNab / Ryan / Spence etc.
Hehe... I suspect it's like that in all units where they practice SAS-inspired SOP's......
By the way: do Finnish units train at ILRRPS, Germany ?
>>By ortlieb (Friday, 19 Dec 2003 11:49)
Great stuff Trident, when do we get the next story? You'll have to put some dancing in that now!!!
I'd like to wish you all a happy Christmas (if you celebrate it! See objective me, not even sure that makes sense but I don't care) and a drunk New Year dancing! Take care all, see you in 2004!!! (But I can guarantee I'll still be writing 2003 ha ha).
>>By Bethan (Friday, 19 Dec 2003 13:16)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~~HAPPY WINTER SOLTICE~~ (for non religious)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
~~BEST WISHES TO F-TROOP FOR CHRISTMAS~~
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+**+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
~AND ALL THE BEST FOR 2004~
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
£~$~May the "Man" have as much success with the teen books as with his adult stream~£~$
best
>>By buddy (Friday, 19 Dec 2003 14:19)
Eat, drink and be merry this festive season...
I'll be enjoying Swiss hospitality, stocking up on supplies of homemade kirsch and indulging in a few apres-snowboard activites <vbw>
I'm expecting a McNab sized present in my stocking...I've veen told it's signed too...
S'funny, coz I scoured every bookshop within a 50-mile radius of this valley (topographically impaired...don't bother getting maps out).
So, I hope you all get everything you've wished for...
Frohe Weihnachten und glückliches neues Jahr
>>By bikergirl (Saturday, 20 Dec 2003 16:11)
i'm afraid youre going to have to wait 'til next year for another story... i'm not sure if it will be fictional/factual or something in between, but it'll be of a mission during the summer... we had alot of training in the summer, when the weather was warm, and in 95% of the cases it meant an e&e involving water.
i'm really glad of the positive feedback i got from the story i wrote. i have to mention a couple of things a this time... (not like a thank you speach, but whatever)
Thanks to Tom, Jones, Sandy, Mike and Pete for getting me through the week. without you i wouldn't have made it...
concerning the documents retrieved from the enemy, i have NO idea what they were about. i didn't for a minute want to read what was there, because it could have been held against us. i'm pretty sure it was something like the base's CO:s diary or something like that.
during the writing of this, i started thinking about all the field missions we had... one of those will be the next one. it didn't have quite the intensity of that first one, and i think i'll stick to factual storytelling... much easier, when you know exactly how it felt, how the other ones were doing etc...
to: J&P&T&M&S once more i extend my thanks, if we'd be in war tomorrow i'd have you by me any day of the week and twice on sundays... you're members of the unspoken ones. the ones that only get a star on a plaque, no names, no unit mentioned.
i'm off now, tomorrow we're going hunting, and i'm not sure i'll be here in 2003 anymore...
to all, a:
-merry christmas and a happy new year
-god jul och gott nytt år
-hyvää joulua, ja onnellista uutta vuotta
-joyeaux noël, et bonne année
that's a couple of languages there, that you guys missed...
a good night to you all, and to all a good night
>>By trident (Sunday, 21 Dec 2003 03:41)
Babes, I bow to you. *walks away, softly humming "heeey, macarena".*
*turns around*
Oh, and ofcourse to everyone, a very Andy Christmas and a Viggo new year!
>>By Lethe (Sunday, 21 Dec 2003 13:29)
In keeping with the rapidly approaching Holidays, I'd like to share two "military holiday" items I found -- the first is offered for grins, the second in sincere thanks.
(Note: Although references may be markedly US, the relevance is most decidedly International.)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Army Christmas Operations Order:12-24-03
Subject: Christmas
1. An official visit by MG Santa (NMI) Claus is expected at this
headquarters 25 December 2003. The following instructions will be in
effect and govern the activities of all personnel during the visit.
a. Not a creature will stir without official permission. This
will include indigenous mice. Special stirring permits for necessary
administrative actions will be obtained through normal channels. Mice
stirring permits will be obtained through the Office of the Surgeon
General, Veterinary Services.
b. Personnel will settle their brains for a long winter nap
prior to 2200 hours, 24 December 2003. Uniform for the nap will be:
Pajamas, cotton,light, drowsing, with kerchief, general purpose,
camouflage; and Cap, camouflage w/ear flaps. Equipment will be
drawn from CIF prior to 1900 hours, 24 December 2003
c. Personnel will utilize standard field ration sugar plums for
visions to dance through their heads. Artificially sweetened plums are
authorized for those in their unit weight control program. Specifications
for this item will be provided by the servicing dining facility.
d. Stockings, wool, cushion sole, will be hung by the chimney with
care. Necessary safety precautions will be taken to avoid fire hazards
caused by carelessly hung stockings. Unit safety Officers will submit
stocking hanging plans to this headquarters prior to 0800 hours,
24 December 2003, ATTN: DCSLOG, for approval.
e. At the first sign of clatter from the lawn, all troops will
spring from their beds to evaluate noise and cause. Immediate action
will be taken to tear open the shutters and throw open the window sashes.
DCSOPS Plan (Saint Nick), Reference LO No. 3, paragraph 6c, this headquarters, 2 February 2003, will be in effect to facilitate shutter tearing and sash throwing. Division chiefs will familiarize all personnel with procedures and
are responsible for ensuring that no shutters are torn
open nor window sashes thrown open prior to start of official clatter.
f. Prior to 2400, 24 December 2003, all personnel will be assigned
"Wondering Eye" stations. After shutters are thrown open and sashes are torn,
these stations will be manned.
g. The ODCSLOG will assign one each Sleigh, miniature, M-66, and eight (8)
deer, rein, tiny, for use of MG Claus' driver who, IAW current directives and
other applicable regulations, must have a valid SF 56 properly annotated by
Driver Testing; be authorized rooftop parking and be able to shout "On Dasher,
on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen, up Comet, up Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen".
2. MG Claus will enter quarters through standard chimneys. All units without
chimneys will draw Chimney Simulator, M-6, for use during ceremonies. Chimney
simulator units will be requested on Engineer Job Order Request Form submitted
to the Furniture Warehouse prior to 19 December 2003, and issued on DA Form 3161, Request for Issue or Turn-in.
3. Personnel will be rehearsed on shouting "Merry Christmas to all and to all a
good night." This shout will be given on termination of General Claus' visit.
Uniformity of shouting is the responsibility of division chiefs.
/x// CHRISTOPHER K. RINGLE
Colonel, USA
OIC, Special Services
Distribution: Everybody Who Still Believes
(Author anonymous)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A Soldier's Christmas
By Michael Marks (2000)
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 on 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 in peace, then I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it came to 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 there alone in the cold of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I reckoned, some eighteen years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled there in the cold;
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, 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 this cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment, I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold, and the snow in a drift;
To the windows that danced with a warm fire's light,
Then he sighed, and he said, "It's really all right."
"I'm out here by choice. I'm here all the time,
It's my duty to stand at the front of the line;
No one has to ask me, or beg, or implore,
I'm proud to stand here like my father before."
"My grandpa at Pearl, on a day in December,
Is a memory my grandma will always remember;
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam,
And now it's my turn, and so, here I am.
I've not seen my family in more than a while,
But my parents send pictures. They're great for a smile."
Then he bent down and carefully pulled from his bag,
The Red, White, and Blue. An American flag.
"I can live through the cold, and this 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 for my buddy.....my brother;
Who stand here with me against any and all,
To insure for all time that this flag does 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 some money? Prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you do,
Being away from your home and your family too."
Then his eyes 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, whether 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."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
With Love and Warmest Wishes to Everyone
for the Very Happiest of Holidays
and a Wonderful and Blessed New Year!
As always...
:oD
>>By am-i-binned (Sunday, 21 Dec 2003 14:55)
Happy days and a 2004 with some good florking :o)
Why can’t Santa be a man??
Men aren't interested in stockings unless someone is wearing them.
>>By Lynn (Sunday, 21 Dec 2003 16:04)
>>By Lynn (Sunday, 21 Dec 2003 16:04)
Why can’t Santa be a man??
Ouch... >_<
Hey guys, girls, Special Forces, Florkers... er... surfers (well, it's the same!)... happy Christmas & a Happy New Year & the lot!
:)
Don't drink & drive, enjoy and... *sigh*, outta ideas! Cheers!
:D
>>By Deusrexmachina (Sunday, 21 Dec 2003 21:44)
http://web.icq.com/shockwave/0,,4845,00.swf
>>By Lynn (Tuesday, 23 Dec 2003 09:40)
Long time no see everyone
MERRY CHRISTMAS
>>By christina (Tuesday, 23 Dec 2003 17:13)
To all of you...
MERRY CHRISTMAS
and
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
>>By Swedish reader (Tuesday, 23 Dec 2003 18:12)
Sorry been away so long - will be even longer in the new year!
Would like to take this oppo to wish you all a merry christmas and a happy new year and for thanks to those that have helped and/or encouraged me - with one request for the boys here ..........................how about a snap of you girls in you xmas stockings? ;o) VVVVBG !!!
Don't know when I'll be back , so take care and 'ave a good 'un
Dean
x
>>By Apparently (Tuesday, 23 Dec 2003 18:23)
Ooooh well what can I say, everything has allready been said. So I'll say it anyway:
MERRY X-MAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone.
To all the new friends I've made on this board,
AIB, Lynn,Buddy,Bethan,BG, SR,PR,Lethy,Orty, Tridy, Rexy,Nomy,Nutter,Chrissie, Pompy,Deany,and all the others their names I can't remember (sorry) and offcourse MG
And last but not least Andy, Stan, Kiwi, Chris, Duncan and all those SAS and SBS lads out there, lots of big hugs and a peck on the cheek, a slap on the shoulder,and oooh whatever....
BEST GREETINGS TO ALL OF YA!
>>By borisette (Wednesday, 24 Dec 2003 17:58)
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