#4396403 - 12/23/17 12:50 PM
A Story for the Season, (my traditional OFF/WOFF Christmas post)
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
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BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
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"A Story for the Season"
1916: Christmas Eve at the Front. The War has dragged itself along on its steely, mud-caked claws for over two years, and the end seems no closer now than when it all began. At an RFC aerodrome not ten miles from the first line trenches, a group of airmen sit through the morning’s briefing, and prepare themselves for the day’s work. They are nearly all young men, at least in years. But with war comes age beyond a calendar’s mark, and one would find that each man is far older than first appearance would tell if a moment were taken to look into his eyes. As the meeting breaks the jovial banter can be heard amongst the group: the good-natured ribbing and warnings, the verbal jousting, the camaraderie and the closeness that bonds souls together in such tenuous and temporary times. Across the mud at a German aerodrome, a similar scene is being played out. The Jagdstaffel pilots there are also preparing themselves for the task at hand. To look at them, you might imagine they were schoolmates of their British counterparts, rather than enemies soon to be locked in mortal combat. For they too laugh and joke, and share that same bond. And they too are of the "old young".
The hour is at hand. On each side the signal is given and the small, fast scout planes skim along the cold, icy ground, and one by one lift into a winter sky as grey as the earth below. They form up, and after climbing to their prescribed altitudes, they head towards No Man’s Land and on to do their best; for King and Country; für Kaiser und Vaterland. They meet, and there is the initial gun pass as each sizes up the other. A few moments later and the aerial battle begins in earnest. To those in the fight it is a mind-numbing blur of action that runs in both accelerated and slow motion simultaneously. A split second given to pull the trigger as a plane zips across the sights: an eternity spent to try and twist out of the path of the bullets. An entire lifetime won or lost in less than an eye blink. To those on the ground it appears as a graceful ballet of the sky, the canvas-feathered birds turning and rolling and climbing and diving. But it is a dance to the death more often than not, and it will end when one or more has fallen.
And one has fallen. The long, slow, spiraling pirouette as the finale comes to the dance. The others have now tired and as if by mutual agreement or unseen signal the partners separate and turn away. The audience below does not understand how it can be over so quickly. They cannot see the fatigue and exhaustion of those in the air; cannot see their battered ships, or their bruised and aching bodies; or their tired, aging eyes. No, they can see none of these things, any more than the men in the air can see the pain or the agony endured by those who must fight on the ground. Each sees the other from afar, as through a glass darkly. It is an irony of war that in each case, either in the Sky or on the Earth, a man better understands and is more akin to the enemy he fights in his realm than to his own countrymen above or below.
Christmas Eve at the Front. Night has fallen and the pilots sit about the dinner table at their respective aerodromes, and talk of flying and fighting, and of family and friends. Wishes of the Season are shared, letters from home are read. Songs of hope are sung and toasts are made to fellow flyers, and to mothers and sweethearts. At one of the tables an empty chair stands in remembrance of the comrade lost that day, and to whom the final toast is made. He will be missed, and to a loved one back home he will forever be a young man with bright, happy eyes; forever a photograph, a memory of a life that could have been. It matters not which side he fought for. He was a man, a part of human kind, and with his passing we are all the lesser for it.
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May you have safe and blessed holidays wherever you are, and may we each remember the true message of this season: Peace on earth, good will toward men.
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#4396410 - 12/23/17 01:47 PM
Re: A Story for the Season, (my traditional OFF/WOFF Christmas post)
[Re: RAF_Louvert]
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 799
Stache
Member
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Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 799
Michigan, USA
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Nice Lou, look forward to the reminder every year.
Best wishes to one and all, Happy Holidays.
Be safe out there.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. A. Einstein I7-6700k OC 4.4GHZ, 16GB DDR4 3200Mhz; Gigabyte Gaming 7 MB, G1 OC'ed GTX980ti; Three-Acer XB271HU WQHD Gsync 144Mhz; Samsung 950-512GB NVMe SSD; WD 2TB-7200rpm; Cooler Master HAF XB EVO, Nepton 240M cooler, V1000 PS; Windows 10 PRO; VKB GunfighterPro Stick; Thrustmaster TPR Pedals; Saitek Throttle; Dual TM MFD panels; TrackIR 5; Windows 10 v1909
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#4396437 - 12/23/17 04:16 PM
Re: A Story for the Season, (my traditional OFF/WOFF Christmas post)
[Re: RAF_Louvert]
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 415
ARUP
Member
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Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 415
Kentucky
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#4396456 - 12/23/17 05:52 PM
Re: A Story for the Season, (my traditional OFF/WOFF Christmas post)
[Re: RAF_Louvert]
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 864
Hauksbee
Member
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Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 864
DeForest, Wisconsin
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Ahh! The sweetest of Christmas traditions; all of us seated before the fire, bellies full from dinner, freshly poured drinks in hand, and Uncle Lou tells us a Christmas story. Thanks Lou. Good to know that some things don't change.
Last edited by Hauksbee; 12/23/17 05:53 PM.
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is.
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#4396536 - 12/24/17 12:04 AM
Re: A Story for the Season, (my traditional OFF/WOFF Christmas post)
[Re: RAF_Louvert]
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7,993
Robert_Wiggins
BWOC Survivor!...So Far!!
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BWOC Survivor!...So Far!!
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7,993
Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
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Thanks Lou, That story based creatively on substance, always touches my heart and soul. One cannot help it. To all a very Merry Christmas. Here is one I recently saw for the first time and it too is moving: “A Soldier’s Silent Night”
Also known as "A Soldier's Christmas," "Merry Christmas My Friend," "Christmas Soldier," and "Christmas Night Song," Father Ted and "A Soldier's Silent Night" have been blessing soldiers and their families since 2003 T'was the night before Christmas He lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give To see just who, in this dwelling did live.
I looked all around A strange sight to see No tinsel, no presents, Not even a tree.
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands. Metals 'n badges, awards of every kind; A sobering thought came alive in my mind.
This house was different... it was dark, it was dreary. I had found the home of a soldier, I could see that most clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, Silent, Alone; Curled up on the floor In this one bedroom home.
His face was so gentle, The room in such disorder; Not at all how I pictured a United States' soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read; Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
Then I realized the other families I saw this night, Owed their lives to soldiers Who were willing to fight.
In the morning, round the world, Children would play; Grown-ups would celebrate A bright Christmas Day.
But they all enjoy freedom Each month of the year, Because of soldiers Like the one lying here.
I couldn't help but wonder How many lay alone, On a cold Christma Eve In lands far from home.
The very thought Brought a tear to my eyes; I dropped to my knees, I started to cry.
The soldier awakened I heard his rough voice, "Santa don't cry, This life is MY choice.
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more; My life is my God, My country, My corps."
The soldier rolled over, and drifted to sleep. But, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, So silent and still; As both of us shivered From the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave him On that cold, dark night; This guardian of honor, So willing to fight.
Then, the soldier rolled over, In a voice soft and pure, He whispered, "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas Day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, I knew he was right. Merry Christmas my friend, May God bless you this night.
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#4396549 - 12/24/17 01:08 AM
Re: A Story for the Season, (my traditional OFF/WOFF Christmas post)
[Re: RAF_Louvert]
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,696
Fullofit
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,696
Ajax, ON
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It's hard to follow Robert's post. I've got nothing. Merry Christmas!
"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys, The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain, From out of my arse take the camshaft, And assemble the engine again."
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#4396574 - 12/24/17 05:55 AM
Re: A Story for the Season, (my traditional OFF/WOFF Christmas post)
[Re: RAF_Louvert]
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,064
Sandbagger
Hotshot
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,064
Coningsby, Lincs, UK
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Real strong stuff guys, but it does show the true Christmas spirit. Way to go guys, especially Lou, after this year.
Alienware Aurora R5 Windows 10 64 bit Intel i7-6700K 4.2Ghz Two GTX 1080 Foundations in SLI (8 Gig each) 32 Gig DDR4 2133Mhz 1TB SSD boot drive - 1TB SATA storage drive 5.1 Surround Sound 34" Dell Ultra Sharp U3415W (3440x 2440) CH Pro-Pedals, Stick and Throttle TrackIR-5 Pro
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#4396801 - 12/26/17 05:57 AM
Re: A Story for the Season, (my traditional OFF/WOFF Christmas post)
[Re: Stache]
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 824
CaptSopwith
Barmy WingNut
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Barmy WingNut
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 824
United States
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Nice Lou, look forward to the reminder every year.
Best wishes to one and all, Happy Holidays.
Be safe out there. Hear Hear! Thank you for sharing, Lou. It's always a pleasure to read your posts. And yours as well Robert. A very Merry Christmas to all! Cheers!
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Exodus
by RedOneAlpha. 04/18/24 05:46 PM
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