A Christmas Salute

Love it or hate it we are about to endure another Christmas, irrespective – the media and commercialism won’t have it any other way.

The religious significance may have diminished, and perhaps ultimately it depends on the amount the individual attaches. The fat red effigy of Coca Cola’s 1930’s marketing, Santa, may have supplanted the British tradition of Father Christmas, (the spirit of the woods, in greens and browns), but then his origin is itself utterly Pagan as is the Yule log, mistletoe, holly, ivy and even 25th December – the end of the winter solstice.

The date is symbolic rather than historical fact, but the sentiment of peace should be welcomed whatever time of year. We don’t have world peace and even if we won’t have it in our lifetimes, it shouldn’t stop the trying. What we do have is peace in Western Europe, and after some 2000 years of trying, that’s no mean achievement.

I propose a toast to the British soldier and all those behind him, without whom all this would not have been possible, unlike the politician, without whom all this would not have been necessary.

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"Here you are! Don't lose it again."[/align]
[align=center]_____________________________________________________________________Philip Zec – 1945[/align]
A Merry Christmas

No.9

 

*clink*

Glass raised.

 

Cheers

 

On behalf of me, I'd like to accept your toast.

Mine's a pint of Spitfire!

 

Although i'm not British, i toast to that!


Have a wonderful christmas and a good and healthy 2007.

Cheers!

 

Could someone pass the stilton please..? Ahh that's nice, Yup, glass raised to Us and them like us...

 

Pint of Bombadier raised, in the pint bottle (up yours Brussels)

 

Cheers!

*clink*

 

Cheers No. 9, my glass is raised.

May I add my wish for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our Brothers and Sisters currently on operations and deployments in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Africa, South Atlantic and elsewhere around the world. My you all return home safe to your loved ones. Also those who (whether volunteers or not...) are on duty at their home bases in UK, Germany and Cyprus on Christmas Day. I hope your CO pops round with a glass of something or other for you...

I also wish to say a prayer for those who have lost their lives during the last year. You will all be remembered at my Christmas Lunch Grace.

And finally, my best to all those whose partners, parents, children and friends are deployed at this time. I hope your Christmas is as happy as you can make it.

Merry Christmas everybody!!

 

Wha's like us?

Damn few and they're a' deid...

 

Great sentiments, No.9 and Legs - echoed here.

 

Legs's comments are spot on.

Mine's a pint of magners

 

Damn drinking whisky....

...ah port found, toast about to be seconded.

Stay safe-ish guys and girls!