A Unified #SOT Effort on Christmas Day

 

These past weeks, I personally have been so pleased with the organized efforts made by many to support our troops, allied forces and their families. Watching the number of people who become involved in wanting to recognize and honor these brave men and women who defend our freedoms grow, has been amongst my greatest blessings.  To witness the dedication and commitment by so many people, in finding useful links, writing positive messages, and individually honoring those who so selflessly risk and sacrifice so much, touches my heart.

Friday is Christmas; a day on which many of us will be celebrating a glorious, meaningful day with our loved ones. Most will have the blessing of surrounding around a table to share a meal, pleasant conversation and prayer.  Most will feel the warmth of hugs from those whom they love so much.  Many will open gifts chosen carefully for them, by a person who loves them.  Most of us will be warm and safe; and even surrounded by the splendor of the Christmas season. Our senses will be delighted as we will feel the joy  associated with the sight of decorated trees, wreaths, mistletoe, dancing flames in a fireplace and fanciful decorations.  Most of us will experience the pleasant smells associated with holiday cooking; the sweet scent of candles burning.  Most of us will experience the touch; the warmth associated with the embraces of our loved ones.  Most of us will experience the taste of delicious food.  Most importantly, many of us will experience the feelings in our hearts associated with seeing the faces; hearing the voices of those whom we love. Our hearts will surge with joy; as we recall past holidays spent together, and we will cherish the new memories being made on this Christmas Day.

What is described above will sadly not occur for all of us.  It is far too easy to forget how many thousands of families will be missing somebody on that glorious day; how many families will have an empty seat at their dinner table, that should be occupied by one of their loved ones.  That seat will be empty for their loved one is in a distant land; risking and sacrificing for each one of us.  They will be putting their comfort, safety and very lives at risk to defend you and your family; the freedoms you enjoy each day; the very thing that allows you to be together to celebrate a joyous holiday.

There is a group of dedicated individuals on Twitter who joined together to discover many ways in which they could consistently recognize and honor these brave men and women who raised their hands when our country needed them; who left their families to proudly defend us.  Each day, my heart is touched when I see the number of positive messages being delivered to these valiant souls.  Some people on Twitter spend hours searching for the perfect video, poem or song to tweet; praying their message reaches these brave men and women who sacrifice for us. They support our troops and allied nations consistently; with dignity, pride and sincerity.  I feel blessed to know many of them; and look forward to getting to know so many more. 

As heartbreaking as it is sometimes to hear stories from the family members who miss their loved ones; to hear stories from the brave men and women who have left loved ones behind on our behalf, it is also a blessing.  Why?  Because it is a reaffirmation to me that my own efforts to do whatever I can to support our troops is the right thing to do.  I do so from the heart, and feel a great sense of pride for the efforts of each person who does the same.  Each military supporter I know who takes time to #SOT on Twitter is sincere.  They do so for all the RIGHT reasons; they care, and want these brave men and women and their families to know they are appreciated and valued for their great sacrifices.

Please allow yourself to feel the feelings of our troops and their families this Christmas.  Allow yourself to understand how it must feel for a mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, friend, spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend and especially the child of a deployed soldier.  How much must they miss their loved one?  How much must they desire to embrace their loved one?  How much must they dream that their loved one was occupying that empty seat at that table on Christmas Day?  We all know the answer to those questions.  Please don't ever take your freedom for granted.  Remember from where it is it comes; that if not for our honorable veterans, our valiant soldiers, our remembered Fallen, you, nor your family would enjoy much; for you might not have your freedom. 

Please consider joining a huge group effort on Christmas Day; an organized effort to support our troops and allied forces.  Find your best tweets from the past; write new ones especially for Christmas Day; find useful links to videos, poems and information.  Above all; please be positive.  Save your politics for another time, and tweet only positive, uplifting messages of support to these brave men and women and their families. Let them know they are loved, valued, appreciated; that you understand you are free for their valiant efforts.  Above all, please let them know you pray for their comfort; their happiness and their safe return to the loving embraces of their families.

God Bless each and every person who supports our troops with pride and conviction...

To get started; anybody may cut and paste anything listed below.  Please tweet these messages directly without being concerned about authorship or RT credit.  By doing so, you will be allowing for maximum RT potential.  The most important thing is that our troops and their families receive the messages; and that the result might be that they feel just a little less lonely on Christmas Day.

On this blessed day, we salute you for all you do for us #SOT #XMAS

For your honor, valor and great sacrifices made for our freedom #SOT #XMAS

Because today, you are in our thoughts and our hearts #SOT #XMAS

You are part of so many beautiful Christmas memories; so many more in store for you, #HERO #SOT #XMAS

God Bless you for all you do in defense of our liberties #SOT #XMAS

Merry Christmas from us to you; we salute you for your great courage, strength and willingness to defend our freedoms #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

Thank you for "raising your hand" #HERO when our country needed you #SOT #XMAS

Wishing for you JOY on this Christmas Day; we are humbled by you #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

To let you know you are loved and appreciated this Christmas Day and always. #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

Your families are in our thoughts and prayers, too, as you defend our freedoms #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

Huge group effort being planned to #SOT on Christmas Day. Please let them know they are in our hearts and prayers on that blessed day

God Bless all #military #HEROES who defend our freedoms! Merry Christmas #SOT #XMAS

Because you are Heroes to all, we salute you this Christmas and always #SOT #XMAS

Because you are so vital to our safety and our greatness as a nation. #SOT #XMAS

We only have PEACE if we have FREEDOM. So grateful for you this Christmas and always! #SOT #XMAS

Our goal: To never let a day go by that we don't express our gratitude for all #HEROES #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

For the many sacrifices you make for our families; God Bless you #HERO #SOT #XMAS

Gratitude is an understatement. You are #HEROES #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

Saluting all #military families for their great sacrifices #SOT #XMAS

Your loved one is a #HERO for defending our freedoms; YOU are so appreciated for your great sacrifices #SOT #xMAS

Our greatest blessing is our FREEDOM and we know from where that comes #SOT #HERO #GBOT #XMAS

Saluting all brave men and women who sacrifice for us #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

Honoring all #HEROES this Christmas and always #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

For your great sacrifices, we honor you and your families #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

YOU are #HEROES to us; The sacrifices of your families are understood and appreciated #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

Knowing what you do for us and our families humbles all of us. #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

YOU and your families are in our thoughts and prayers this Christmas and always #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

For serving "God and our country" we salute you. #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

We all smile upon you this Christmas Day and always. God Bless you for all you do for us. #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

For your heroism, valor and selflessness, we honor you this Christmas and every day #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

Many blessings to the #HEROES who serve "God and Country" this Christmas and always #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

Christmas love and hugs to all brave men and women who so valiantly defend our freedoms #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

Definition of FREEDOM:  We are because you raised your hand for our country. God Bless You #SOT #GBOT #XMAS

For your selfless dedication to protecting our FREEDOM we salute and honor you #HERO #SOT #XMAS #GBOT

Comments

[DCgal62]

This is a wonderful piece. It is very moving and has relevant and pertinent points! Great job.
Thanks so much for supporting Troops and Soldiers and their families. Merry Christmas and God Bless.