Shorty Hits 10,000!

[shortylickens]

I didnt want it to be epic, just memorable. Was going through my dads old files the other day and found something that may do it.
When I was in the Navy I found myself near Kosovo in Dec of '98. Dad had heard a lot of stuff on the news and was worried that somebody would do something nasty on or about Christmas day just to piss the U.S. off (which often does happen).
He expressed his concern to me via e-mail, to which we had limited access during the deployment.
Tried to think of a way to alleviate his concerns. Luckily for me a fellow on the ship sent out a story he claimed to have written. I dont know if he did or not but the message had its effect.
Forwarded it to my dad. Made him cry but at least he stopped worrying me for the rest of the deployment.

The story is as follows:

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived in a crowd
In a 40 man berthing, with shipmates so loud.

I had come down the exhaust stack with presents to give,
And to see just who in this rack did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight did I see
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stockings were hung, just a boot close at hand.
On the bulkhead hung pictures of far-distant land.

He had medals and badges and awards of all kinds,
And a sober thought came into my mind.

For this place was different, it was so dark and dreary.
I'd found the home of a sailor, once I could see clearly.

The sailor lay sleeping, silent and alone,
Curled up in his rack, dreaming of home.

The face was so gentle, the berthing in such good order.
Not how I pictured a United States Sailor.

Was this the hero I saw on TV?
Defending his country so we all could be free?

I realized the families I'd seen on this night
Owed their lives to these sailors who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate a new Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of the sailors, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve, on a sea, far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The sailor awakened and I heard a rough voice:
"Santa, don't cry, for this life is my choice:
Defend the seas this day, so others may rejoice."

The sailor rolled over and drifted to sleep.
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent, so still,
And we both shivered from the night's cold chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold dark night
This guardian of honor, so willing to fight.

Then the sailor rolled over and in voice soft and pure,
Whispered "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas, All is secure."

Thought you folks who are worried about the current state of the world around Christmas time might want that.


For those of you who wanted something more silly and fun for my big 10,000, I dug up the thread with the best ownage I have ever seen.
May god have mercy on my soul.

So, did I do well?



You do know this is against the rules don't you???


esquared
Anandtech Senior Moderator

 

[JulesMaximus]

Ban

 

[JJChicken]

Congrats

 

[Jeff7]

And I believe this will bring the # of locked threads up to 10,000,000.

(That tends to happen to "# of posts" threads.)

 

[rudeguy]

Hi. I like cake. I also like waffles. If I could have a wafflecake, I would jizz in my pants.

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Ban

10/10 :thumbsup: :laugh:

 

[amdhunter]

And Shorty should be banned at 10000