The White Falcon - 25.12.1942, Page 1

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Christmas Thoughts
*Twas the night before Christmas
and the air was still.
The moon’s rays glistened from a snow
capped hill.
A barbed wire fence my post did enclose,
And the frost around me played tricks
with my. nose.
* *
The shadows of huts loomed large
’gainst the white
While smoke from chimneys blended
into the night.
’Twas a sight for the soul, standing
there .... alone,
But the vision is lost when the heart is at home.
*
My thoughts traveled backward
’mid tinseled trees,
Filled stockings and toys, and things
such as these.
Then I’d take my weary step up anew
And shake from my mind the things I once knew.
Someone’s path lay before me so clear in the snow
And I tried to match footprints so no
one would know.
*
But the mind is a thing that you can’t put aside —
It echoes of passions, laying deep down inside.
The reason you’re walking in far lands tonight —
The reason you’re lonely and ready to fight.
It tells of your mother, your sweetheart
or wife —
For their hopes and fears you’d lay down
your life.
*
Then a snow flake falls and it’s followed
by friends,
It’s hard to see where the path starts or ends.
But of these things I no longer care,
for Angels are singing;
'I’here’s Peace in the air.
By T/5G. Charles S. Hess.
President Roosevelt:
To The Men And Women Of The Armed Forces:
* *
Happily, the Star of Christmas again shines
brightly in a world black with war and hate.
' Never has mankind yearned more for what
r this Star signifies — for peace and honor to
men of good will. The way we must travel
. is yet long.
\ As you go hopefully forward into the New
Year you can be sustained by the thought that
you have the most precious gift which is in
the power of your countrymen to bestow —
- their affection and deep gratitude. To this 1
•can only add my very warmest personal greet-
ings to every one of you.
(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt.
•J
>
General Bonesteel:
? TO: The Officers, Nurses, Warrant Officers,
Enlisted Men, Civilian Employees of the
United States Army Forces, and the Red
Cross Personnel.
*
As one of the most momentous years in the
history of our Country draws to a close, I wish
to say to you all, “well done”, and to express
my pride in the accomplishments of the past
year which I know so well were attained only
by your devoted and unselfish effort, soldierly
esprit and fine cooperation. You have cheer-
fully faced the hardships and privations inher-
ent in garrisoning an isolated base. Despite long
hours, mud, wind, rain and cold, you have suc-
ceeded in accomplishing the mission entrusted
to you.
During the year to come we shall be called
upon to continue our vital part in another pe-
riod of tremendous importance to our natioq’s
future, perhaps to her very existence. You must
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