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2013-12-10 -Land of the Free

The Reason for the Season, December 10, 2012: Glenn Miller

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Posted by badanov 2013-12-10 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11128 views ] Top

#1 The Commandant's Christmas 1944 Message

Among the many important things which men sacrifice in the armed forces is Christmas at home. It is one of the most difficult to give up. The American family Christmas is one of the great joys of life.

At the same time, it is one of the real, tangible things for which we fight. Its preservation is one of the essential reasons for our being at war. Every Marine who spends Christmas in service away from home is actually keeping Christmas in his home. He is making sure that the forces which have gravely threatened it are thoroughly defeated. He is making certain that, when he returns, he and his loved ones will be able to enjoy Christmases for the remainder of their lives in an era of peace which he himself will have nobly won.

On this fourth wartime Christmas he has gone far toward that end. The enemy forces in the Pacific have been driven back to their innermost ring of defenses. And, while they may be expected to put up savage resistance there, they cannot escape the closing circle of Allied might. The final, decisive actions are shaping up.

To all Marine Corps officers and enlisted personnel, men and women, I extend cordial greetings and best wishes for the Christmas season.

Alexander A. Vandegrift
LtGen, USMC
Commandant of the Marine Corps

Posted by Besoeker 2013-12-10 01:30|| 2013-12-10 01:30|| Front Page Top

#2
Glenn Miller was a great band leader that brought much joy and contact with home for the soldiers in Europe in WW2. His disappearance over the English Channel on a flight from England to France on December 15, 1944 was a great tragedy.

Besoeker---Thank you for posting General Vandegrift's 1944 Christmas Letter.

Archie Vendegrift was a real leader, proving that at the 'Canal in 1942. This honesty and dedication to American values is rarely seen these days in public pronouncements, which is also a tragedy.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2013-12-10 01:59|| 2013-12-10 01:59|| Front Page Top

#3

Favorite time of the year. Merry Christmas.

Posted by Guillibaldo McCoy1948 2013-12-10 02:49|| 2013-12-10 02:49|| Front Page Top

#4 Bio of General Vandegrift.

Notice in his 1944 message he mentioned, the "American family, sacrifice, important things, a defeated enemy, Christmas" (seven times he mentions Christmas), and both men and women in closing.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-12-10 09:17|| 2013-12-10 09:17|| Front Page Top

#5 He'd never have made Commandant today; he might have never put on stars.

Posted by Pappy 2013-12-10 10:19|| 2013-12-10 10:19|| Front Page Top

#6 He'd never be commissioned in today's Army.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-12-10 10:22|| 2013-12-10 10:22|| Front Page Top

#7 Army?
:)

Posted by Shipman 2013-12-10 15:48|| 2013-12-10 15:48|| Front Page Top

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