The Christmas Truce (3 min) TV-PG
During WWI soldiers from opposing sides laid down their guns and celebrated Christmas together.
1914
WWI
The Christmas Truce
Just after midnight on Christmas morning, the majority of German troops engaged in World War I cease firing their guns and artillery and commence to sing Christmas carols. At certain points along the eastern and western fronts, the soldiers of Russia, France, and Britain even heard brass bands joining the Germans in their joyous singing.
At the first light of dawn, many of the German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approached the Allied lines across no-man’s-land, calling out “Merry Christmas” in their enemies’ native tongues. At first, the Allied soldiers feared it was a trick, but seeing the Germans unarmed they climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the enemy soldiers. The men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings and sang carols and songs. There was even a documented case of soldiers from opposing sides playing a good-natured game of soccer.
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Friday, December 25, 2015
Harpers Ferry's Civil War Christmas
Civil War
Joy in Sadness, Harpers Ferry's Civil War Christmas
West Virginia Public Radio
By LIZ MCCORMICK
DEC 23, 2015
Every year, dozens of people in Harpers Ferry go back in time. In the shops and at the national park, it's 1864 all over again. It's fun for locals and visitors to see how people in Victorian-era West Virginia celebrated Christmas. But it's also a reminder of how bittersweet it can be for people to try to find a bit of good cheer in the midst of a long and terrible war.
Joy in Sadness, Harpers Ferry's Civil War Christmas
West Virginia Public Radio
By LIZ MCCORMICK
DEC 23, 2015
Reenactors preparing goods to sell. LIZ MCCORMICK / WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING
Every year, dozens of people in Harpers Ferry go back in time. In the shops and at the national park, it's 1864 all over again. It's fun for locals and visitors to see how people in Victorian-era West Virginia celebrated Christmas. But it's also a reminder of how bittersweet it can be for people to try to find a bit of good cheer in the midst of a long and terrible war.
King’s colleague, Melinda Day, is out of her ranger uniform for this occasion. She's wearing a light green plaid dress, and her hair is pulled back in a low bun sort of like former First Lady, Mary Todd Lincoln.
“Because this is a historical park and because we do have a rich Civil War history, we focus on the idea that Christmas and war coexist," Day said, "almost any visitor that walks into this park understands that someplace in this world, American service people are putting their lives on the line even though it may be Christmas, and when a visitor steps into this park for a Civil War Christmas, that’s the same story and relevance that resonates with them in modern times.”
Day says Harper’s Ferry was a strategic site in the war - it switched hands 14 times! And in late 1864, things were changing.
“The war’s coming to an end, and everybody feels that, and you can feel joy while you’re feeling pain. I think anybody that’s been through something like that could nod their head and say, yes I understand that, you can actually experience joy when you also experience pain,” she noted.
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Christmas Eve Midnight Mass During the Korean War
An unforgettable Christmas Eve midnight Mass during the Korean War
Stars and Stripes
By Carlos Bongioanni
Published: December 24, 2015
It was December 1950, six months into the Korean War. Deptula, then 21, was among the approximately 100,000 United Nations troops who had just been evacuated out of North Korea. He had been among the "Chosin Few" who had escaped intense battles against overwhelming Chinese forces in the Chosin Reservoir campaign.
In a telephone interview Wednesday from his home in Webster, Mass., Deptula, now 86, recalled how frightened he was after an estimated 300,000 Chinese crossed over the Yalu River into North Korea, intent on annihilating the U.N. forces.
“We were outnumbered. The odds were stacked against us,” Deptula said, adding that he didn’t expect to make it out alive.
When the Chinese invasion started that October, Deptula was in Koto-ri, a small village in the Chosin Reservoir area, assigned to the Army Signal Corps’ 581st Signal Radio Relay Company. “I wasn’t in the infantry, but I saw a hell of a lot of tragedies,” he said.
It was a brutally cold winter, making the war that much worse for the combatants, many of whom suffered frostbite and lost limbs.
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By Norman J. Deptula
Published: December 24, 2015
"Home for Christmas" was the rallying cry as United Nations forces, spearheaded by American troops, were well on their way to clearing the entire Korean peninsula of Communist North Korean forces who had invaded South Korea in June, 1950. Then, in late November, in the dead of one of the coldest Korean winters on record, more than 300,000 troops from the Communist People's Republic of China poured across the Yalu River and entered the war bent on the annihilation of U.N. forces and the installation of a Communist dictatorship for all of Korea. Within a few short days all hopes for a joyous Christmas were dashed. General Douglas MacArthur, the commander of all U.N. forces in Korea, said, "We face an entirely new war ..."
Approximately 120,000 Chinese troops battered and besieged U.N. forces around the port city of Hungnam, in northeast Korea. When the U.N. command decided that the Hungnam area could not be held, a mass sea evacuation of troops, equipment and about 98,000 refugees began in mid-December.
read more here
Stars and Stripes
By Carlos Bongioanni
Published: December 24, 2015
Celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace that night allowed Deptula and other GIs with him to forget, at least for an evening, the death and destruction of war that had already left an indelible mark on their souls.Amid the horrors and devastation of war, a midnight Mass 65 years ago in a dilapidated church in Kyong-ju, South Korea, would prove to be a miracle of sorts for Army Pfc. Norman Deptula.
It was December 1950, six months into the Korean War. Deptula, then 21, was among the approximately 100,000 United Nations troops who had just been evacuated out of North Korea. He had been among the "Chosin Few" who had escaped intense battles against overwhelming Chinese forces in the Chosin Reservoir campaign.
In a telephone interview Wednesday from his home in Webster, Mass., Deptula, now 86, recalled how frightened he was after an estimated 300,000 Chinese crossed over the Yalu River into North Korea, intent on annihilating the U.N. forces.
“We were outnumbered. The odds were stacked against us,” Deptula said, adding that he didn’t expect to make it out alive.
When the Chinese invasion started that October, Deptula was in Koto-ri, a small village in the Chosin Reservoir area, assigned to the Army Signal Corps’ 581st Signal Radio Relay Company. “I wasn’t in the infantry, but I saw a hell of a lot of tragedies,” he said.
It was a brutally cold winter, making the war that much worse for the combatants, many of whom suffered frostbite and lost limbs.
read more here
At Taegu, South Korea, Norman Deptula, left, stands with two soldiers from the 581st Signal Radio Relay Company after they had been evacuated out of North Korea. COURTESY OF NORMAN DEPTULAA Christmas Story
By Norman J. Deptula
Published: December 24, 2015
"Home for Christmas" was the rallying cry as United Nations forces, spearheaded by American troops, were well on their way to clearing the entire Korean peninsula of Communist North Korean forces who had invaded South Korea in June, 1950. Then, in late November, in the dead of one of the coldest Korean winters on record, more than 300,000 troops from the Communist People's Republic of China poured across the Yalu River and entered the war bent on the annihilation of U.N. forces and the installation of a Communist dictatorship for all of Korea. Within a few short days all hopes for a joyous Christmas were dashed. General Douglas MacArthur, the commander of all U.N. forces in Korea, said, "We face an entirely new war ..."
Approximately 120,000 Chinese troops battered and besieged U.N. forces around the port city of Hungnam, in northeast Korea. When the U.N. command decided that the Hungnam area could not be held, a mass sea evacuation of troops, equipment and about 98,000 refugees began in mid-December.
read more here
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Warmly Wish Whiners Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
An associate was worried this week about wishing someone "Merry Christmas" so I had a few things to say about how some folks are offended by being wished good thoughts. After all, it isn't wishing them anything other than they have a good Christmas.
"Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870" but after all these years, some people just don't get it.
They complain! They are offended by seeing Christmas displays, even those without religious
How did this nation established for freedom become a nation of whiners assuming they have the power to "prohibit" what the Bill of Rights never gave them? How did we end up being told we cannot say what we want?
It seems the VA didn't get the memo and must be showing up for work on the 25th. Someone complained about Christmas decorations so someone else took them down. Guess it didn't matter how many people enjoyed seeing them.
It also seems that a Professor doesn't seem to understand this date either.
Hear Christmas music on the radio and don't like it, then change the station. Don't want to watch a program on TV, change the channel. If you don't want anything tied to Christmas, that is your choice, but that does not allow you to remove the rights of others to enjoy a day the way they want to.
I am Easter Orthodox (Greek) and our tradition is,
No one is forced to do anything when it comes to Christmas. They are not forced to stay home or go to a family dinner or even buy gifts for someone else. They are not forced to give to charities or volunteer their time with the homeless. They are not forced to go to parties or wear an ugly Christmas sweater. They don't have to decorate their property and when it comes to the neighbors doing it, it is their right to do it.
If you are offended by someone wishing you something good or wanting to do something nice for you, then you have bigger issues and should seek professional help. How does it harm you to let others enjoy it their way while you have the right to spend the day anyway you want to?
SO FROM ME TO YOU, I WARMLY WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
"Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870" but after all these years, some people just don't get it.
They complain! They are offended by seeing Christmas displays, even those without religious
"Article the third... Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."This part keeps getting forgotten "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" because some only care about what they can complain about.
How did this nation established for freedom become a nation of whiners assuming they have the power to "prohibit" what the Bill of Rights never gave them? How did we end up being told we cannot say what we want?
It seems the VA didn't get the memo and must be showing up for work on the 25th. Someone complained about Christmas decorations so someone else took them down. Guess it didn't matter how many people enjoyed seeing them.
It also seems that a Professor doesn't seem to understand this date either.
A professor at the University of Central Florida thinks the safest way to greet other people during the Christmas season is to wish them a “Happy Federal Holiday.” This bright idea belongs to Terri Fine, a professor of political science at the University of Central FloridaSeriously? Well, she can't exactly show up for work if UCF is closed, then again, why would she want to if she gets paid for not working? She doesn't have to do anything she doesn't want to on December 25. No one does. No one has to do, hear or say anything they don't want to.
Happy Federal what? Because the U.S. government in some cases and the state government in others have identified certain days during the year as state and federal holidays, including those that fall during the late fall and winter season – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day –we have no choice but to observe these holidays whether we want to or not.
Hear Christmas music on the radio and don't like it, then change the station. Don't want to watch a program on TV, change the channel. If you don't want anything tied to Christmas, that is your choice, but that does not allow you to remove the rights of others to enjoy a day the way they want to.
Full Definition of holiday
: a day on which one is exempt from work; specifically
: a day marked by a general suspension of work in commemoration of an event
Simple Definition of holy day
: a day when a religious festival or holiday is observed
I am Easter Orthodox (Greek) and our tradition is,
Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.The real day Jesus was born is not known but then again, there are some Christians not acknowledging Christmas at all.
Christian sects and communities that reject the observance of Christmas for theological reasons include Jehovah's Witnesses; some adherents of Messianic Judaism; most Sabbatarian denominations, such as the True Jesus Church and the Church of God (7th-Day); the Iglesia ni Cristo; the Christian Congregation in Brazil; the Christian Congregation in the United States; and certain reformed and fundamentalist churches of various persuasions, including some Independent Baptist, Holiness, Apostolic Pentecostal, and Churches of Christ congregations
No one is forced to do anything when it comes to Christmas. They are not forced to stay home or go to a family dinner or even buy gifts for someone else. They are not forced to give to charities or volunteer their time with the homeless. They are not forced to go to parties or wear an ugly Christmas sweater. They don't have to decorate their property and when it comes to the neighbors doing it, it is their right to do it.
If you are offended by someone wishing you something good or wanting to do something nice for you, then you have bigger issues and should seek professional help. How does it harm you to let others enjoy it their way while you have the right to spend the day anyway you want to?
SO FROM ME TO YOU, I WARMLY WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
"The Force Awakens" At Bagram Air Base
New Star Wars film boosts morale at Bagram
Stars and Stripes
By Heath Druzin
Published: December 22, 2015
“It was good, definitely different, and it definitely boosted morale a lot,” said Army Sgt. Marcos Reynoza, 27, of Lemoore, Calif. “I thought it was pretty awesome, and I’m not even a big Star Wars fan.” read more here
Stars and Stripes
By Heath Druzin
Published: December 22, 2015
Darth Vader shows up for a special screening of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" for troops at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. U.S. FORCES-AFGHANISTANBAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — The views are nice at Bagram Air Field, with Afghanistan’s snow-capped Hindu Kush mountains towering over the base, but the entertainment options are scarce. So when “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” came to the big screen here Tuesday, the lines went around the block and stayed there for showing after showing.
“It was good, definitely different, and it definitely boosted morale a lot,” said Army Sgt. Marcos Reynoza, 27, of Lemoore, Calif. “I thought it was pretty awesome, and I’m not even a big Star Wars fan.” read more here
Marine Veteran PTSD Service Dog Not Allowed in Gym
Column: Michigan gym owner shuts door on service dog
Lansing State Journal
Judy Putnam
December 24, 2015
Johnnie Trout’s daughter, Samara, 11, who was at the gym with him, pointed out a gym member with a prosthetic leg. She asked if he was going to be required to remove his leg.
With a new state law about to go into effect that makes it a misdemeanor to refuse access to service animals — and a federal law on the books for a quarter-century — it shows we have a long way to go to educate businesses about the animals.
Johnnie Trout, a Marine gunnery sergeant from Holt, said he was refused entrance Monday to the New Life Fitness gym in Holt with his dog, Raven. Trout got his dog in August to help with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Lansing State Journal
Judy Putnam
December 24, 2015
Johnnie Trout’s daughter, Samara, 11, who was at the gym with him, pointed out a gym member with a prosthetic leg. She asked if he was going to be required to remove his leg.
The owner of a Holt gym expressed regret Tuesday that a veteran was refused entrance to her facility because he brought his German shepherd, a trained service dog, along for his workout.Johnnie Trout and his service dog, Raven, were refused entrance to a Holt gym. (Photo: File photo)
With a new state law about to go into effect that makes it a misdemeanor to refuse access to service animals — and a federal law on the books for a quarter-century — it shows we have a long way to go to educate businesses about the animals.
Johnnie Trout, a Marine gunnery sergeant from Holt, said he was refused entrance Monday to the New Life Fitness gym in Holt with his dog, Raven. Trout got his dog in August to help with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Raven was trained by the Florida-based Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. She's one of just five in Michigan given to veterans with service-related disabilities by the Guardian Angels.
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Dying Vietnam Veteran Gave House Away--To Another Veteran
Dying veteran donates home, lives to meet new owner
WMAZ News
Boua Xiong
December 22, 2015
MAPLE GROVE, Minn. - When 13WMAZ's sister station KARE 11 first met Bob Karlstrand last February, the Vietnam veteran had terminal lung disease.
So he got rid of everything, including his Maple Grove home of 39 years. He donated it to Habitat for Humanity and hoped a fellow veteran would move in.
Karlstrand got his wish. Bonita Reyna-Berg, a veteran who is raising her grandson, is working with Habitat for Humanity to make Karlstrand's house her home.
The two met for the first time at the home on Tuesday. Reyna-Berg is still getting used to all the new space and the generosity of a stranger.
"He's touched my life and made such a difference and an impact on my life," she said.
read more here
WMAZ News
Boua Xiong
December 22, 2015
So he got rid of everything, including his Maple Grove home of 39 years. He donated it to Habitat for Humanity and hoped a fellow veteran would move in.
Karlstrand got his wish. Bonita Reyna-Berg, a veteran who is raising her grandson, is working with Habitat for Humanity to make Karlstrand's house her home.
The two met for the first time at the home on Tuesday. Reyna-Berg is still getting used to all the new space and the generosity of a stranger.
"He's touched my life and made such a difference and an impact on my life," she said.
read more here
DOD Still Behaving Badly with Bad Discharges
It is amazing what you will find in one article. This one on bad discharges has several key points, among them the fact that these discharges has contributed to homeless veteran living on the streets.
It also points out that 207,000 left the military last year. What? How does the Department explain the number of suicides when there are so many out?
How does the DOD explain 18,000 getting bad discharges after all those years of "resilience" training every single one of them had?
It also points out that 207,000 left the military last year. What? How does the Department explain the number of suicides when there are so many out?
How does the DOD explain 18,000 getting bad discharges after all those years of "resilience" training every single one of them had?
Some military discharges mean no benefits after service ends
Associated Press
By JIM SALTER
Dec. 24, 2015
ST. LOUIS (AP) — No medical or mental health care. No subsidized college or work training.
In this photo taken Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, Josh Redmyer, a former Marine who served three tours in Iraq, poses with Milo, who he calls his "therapy dog," in Oroville, Calif. Redmyer, who was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2009, received a less-than-honorable discharge in 2012. He is among the thousands of veterans who cannot receive veterans health benefits because of a less-than-honorable discharge. Redmyer turns to Milo, who is a birthday present from his roommate, when he becomes despondent.
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
For many who leave the U.S. military with less-than-honorable discharges, including thousands who suffered injuries and anguish in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, standard veterans benefits are off limits.
The discharge serves as a scarlet letter of dishonor, and the effects can be severe: Ex-military members with mental health problems or post-traumatic stress disorder can't turn to Veterans Affairs hospitals or clinics; those who want to go to college aren't eligible for the GI Bill; the jobless get no assistance for career training; the homeless are excluded from vouchers.
"It's an indelible mark of their service that follows them for the rest of their lives into the workforce, through background checks, social relationships, and it precludes them from getting the kind of support that most veterans enjoy," said Phil Carter, an Iraq War vet and senior fellow at the Center for A New American Security.
The Department of Defense said of nearly 207,000 people who left the military last year, just 9 percent received what's referred to as "bad paper." Still, that's more than 18,000 people last year and more than 352,000 since 2000, Defense Department data shows.
U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, a Colorado Republican who's on the House Armed Services Committee, believes many of those men and women suffered battle-related problems that affected their behavior, especially PTSD and traumatic brain injury. A 2005 study showed Marines deployed to combat who were diagnosed with PTSD were 11 times more likely to receive less-than-honorable discharges, said Brad Adams, an attorney who works with the San Francisco-based organization Swords to Plowshares.
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Fort Hood Final Act of Selfless Life Captured As Memorial
UPDATE on this from CBS Pittsburgh
There is a video of Matthew Whalen's body being escorted to the operating room. His organs, on this earth for 35 years, were being saved to help others live. This is something rare, all too rare, but then again, Whalen and his wife served in the military. They know what rare selflessness is. The last ride for Whalen was captured on video as staff and veterans lined the hall in silent memorial to a life gone far too soon.
There is a video of Matthew Whalen's body being escorted to the operating room. His organs, on this earth for 35 years, were being saved to help others live. This is something rare, all too rare, but then again, Whalen and his wife served in the military. They know what rare selflessness is. The last ride for Whalen was captured on video as staff and veterans lined the hall in silent memorial to a life gone far too soon.
Dying soldier's final act of service captured on video
AL.com
Leada Gore
December 23, 2015
Staff Sgt. Matthew James Whalen's last act on Earth was a fitting one, according to those who knew the 35-year old Army soldier.Matthew Whalen and Hannah Whalen (Contributed photo/Whalen family/GoFundMe)
Whalen, a former member of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Hood, was diagnosed Saturday with a brain hemorrhage. He did not recover and his family made the decision to remove him from life support. In accordance with his wishes, his organs were donated.
They ended up helping two veterans who were awaiting transplants.
read more here
Soldiers Vow to Protect Muslim Child After Trumps Rant
Soldiers Tell Fearful Muslim Girl, 'I Will Protect You'
Associated Press
by Nomaan Merchant
Dec 24, 2015
Sofia's story of terror that she would be forced to leave America inspired a social media campaign with a hashtag, "#IWillProtectYou," that has generated posts from soldiers, veterans and others supporting her.
"A lot of them, they call her out by name," Melissa Yassini said on Wednesday. "That's very important to her."
Melissa Yassini originally shared her daughter's response to Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump calling for a ban all Muslim immigration into the United States.
Sofia heard about Trump's proposal while the family was watching the evening news. While Trump has said he isn't targeting American Muslims, her mother said Sofia didn't make that distinction.
She packed a bag with Barbie dolls, a tub of peanut butter and a toothbrush. And she checked the locks of her family's home because she thought soldiers were coming to take her away.
read more here
Associated Press
by Nomaan Merchant
Dec 24, 2015
One reader, Kerri Peek, wrote about Sofia and called on soldiers to reassure her. Thousands did. Many posted messages of support with selfies of themselves in combat uniforms. The hashtag was trending in several cities this week. "#Iwillprotectyou with my last breath Sofia!" wrote Brandon Sterne, a 22-year Navy veteran who served in Iraq.
Sofia Yassini, 8, poses outside a mosque in Richardson, Texas, Dec. 11, 2015. After seeing presidential candidate Donald Trump call for barring Muslims from entering the country, the 8-year-old started packing her favorite things. (AP Photo/LM Otero)DALLAS -- Melissa Yassini and her 8-year-old daughter, Sofia, spend some time every evening reading messages from the thousands of people who have told Sofia not to be afraid just because she's Muslim.
Sofia's story of terror that she would be forced to leave America inspired a social media campaign with a hashtag, "#IWillProtectYou," that has generated posts from soldiers, veterans and others supporting her.
"A lot of them, they call her out by name," Melissa Yassini said on Wednesday. "That's very important to her."
Melissa Yassini originally shared her daughter's response to Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump calling for a ban all Muslim immigration into the United States.
Sofia heard about Trump's proposal while the family was watching the evening news. While Trump has said he isn't targeting American Muslims, her mother said Sofia didn't make that distinction.
She packed a bag with Barbie dolls, a tub of peanut butter and a toothbrush. And she checked the locks of her family's home because she thought soldiers were coming to take her away.
read more here
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