The Twelve Days of (Military) Christmas
This Christmas we need to remember the British Armed Forces out in Afghanistan
They are sacrificing their Christmas so that we can enjoy ours back in the home.
Poem Of The Unknown Soldier
’Twas the night before Christmas,
He lived all alone,
He lived all alone,
In a one-bedroom house, made
Of plaster and stone.
Of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney,
With presents to give,
With presents to give,
And to see just who
In this home did live.
In this home did live.
I looked all about
A strange sight I did see
A strange sight I did see
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree.
Not even a tree.
No stocking by the mantle,
Just boots filled with sand,
Just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures
Of far distant lands.
Of far distant lands.
With medals and badges
Awards of all kinds
Awards of all kinds
A sober thought
Came through my mind.
Came through my mind.
For this house was different
It was dark and dreary
It was dark and dreary
I found the home of a soldier,
Once I could see clearly.
Once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping,
Silent, alone,
Silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor
In this one-bedroom home.
In this one-bedroom home.
The face was so gentle
The room in such disorder,
The room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured
A lone British soldier.
A lone British soldier.
Was this the hero
Of whom I’d just read?
Of whom I’d just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
The floor for a bed?
The floor for a bed?
I realised the families
That I saw this night
That I saw this night
Owed their lives to these soldiers
Who were willing to fight.
Who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world
The children would play
The children would play
And grown-ups would celebrate
A bright Christmas Day.
A bright Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom
Each month of the year
Each month of the year
Because of the soldiers,
Like the one lying here.
Like the one lying here.
I couldn’t help wonder
How many alone
How many alone
On a cold Christmas Eve
In a land far from home.
In a land far from home.
The very thought brought
A tear to my eye
A tear to my eye
I dropped to my knees,
And started to cry.
And started to cry.
The soldier awakened
And I heard a rough voice:
And I heard a rough voice:
“Santa, don’t cry,
“This life is my choice.
“This life is my choice.
“I fight for freedom
“I don’t ask for more
“I don’t ask for more
“My life is my God,
“My country, My corps.”
“My country, My corps.”
The soldier rolled over
And drifted to sleep,
And drifted to sleep,
I couldn’t control it,
I continued to weep.
I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours,
So silent and still,
So silent and still,
And we both sat and shivered,
From the cold night’s chill.
From the cold night’s chill.
I didn’t want to leave
On that cold, dark night,
On that cold, dark night,
This guardian of honour,
So willing to fight.
So willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over,
With a voice, soft and pure,
With a voice, soft and pure,
Whispered: “Carry on Santa,
“It’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”
“It’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”
One look at my watch,
And I knew he was right:
And I knew he was right:
“Merry Christmas my friend,
And to all a good night.”
And to all a good night.”
Author Unknown
So........
FRIDAY 4TH NOV - SUNDAY 6TH NOV
Updates will be posted here throughout the weekend or follow me on Twitter @Julie_Manic_Art
Manic-Art will be attempting to complete 12
drawings... YES you read that right... 12 Military Christmas themed drawings
over 1 weekend... I must be mad? no wait I AM MAD!!
Once completed the drawings will be turned into a
pack of 12 Christmas cards called..
'The Twelve Days of (Military) Christmas'
This pack will be available to purchase on the
Manic-Art website.
So why would I put myself through this time consuming
challenge you might ask?
Well because I am not one to ask people to donate
their hard earned cash without good reason..
hence me working my butt off for the privilege..
How will the donated funds be spent?
The donated funds will be spent to purchase the
following items:
- Frames
- Mounts
- Paper
- Cards
- Envelopes
- Printer Cartridges
- Packaging
- Drawing Accessories
To name
but a few..
Please go to.. http://www.manic-art.co.uk/ & click the DONATE button!!
**Please Note all donations will be going towards
materials etc. to help me complete my Military Art Project for Combat Stress
NOT directly to Combat Stress**
BUT
**All profits from the sales of my Military Prints,
Christmas Cards & the eventual proceeds from the auctioned Original
Military Drawings will be going to COMBAT STRESS**
