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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us December 21, 2005 Food & History Christmas Day for the soldier Jeff Cheek Next Sunday is the 230th Christmas we Americans have celebrated since the American Revolution began in 1775. Sadly, for the 30th time, we will find American men and women in combat. That soldier has been out there for us through many, many Yuletide Seasons. Let’s look at some of those past Christmases and the debt we owe him. He was there for us on Christmas Day, 1776, at Trenton. Washington’s battered army had shrunk to 4,000 half-starved scarecrows. Lord Cornwallis had boasted that he would capture the rebels “the way a hunter bags a fox,” then march on Philadelphia, ending the rebellion. Washington had no illusions about his chances. His men had to wrap blankets around their bare feet to stand guard in the snow. Nonetheless, he would attack. He wrote General Reed that his forces were understrength, but “dire neccessity will, nay must, justify our attack.” In his diary he wrote “New Year’s Day may see the end of our effort.” On Christmas Night he sent a third of his army to cross the Delaware south of Trenton, to block the enemy’s escape. After dark, he marched the remaining 2,400 north to McKonkey’s Ferry. By 3 a.m., they were across the river and set off on a grueling eight mile night march. A blinding snow and sleet storm added to their misery, but masked their sound and movement. A handful of men tended the campfires at their base, to confuse the British. By dawn, they had reached their objective. The Americans achieved complete surprise. Trenton was a resounding victory. Four hundred Hessian mercenaries escaped because the blocking force had been unable to cross, but a hundred were killed and almost a thousand surrendered. Later, Winston Churchill would classify Trenton as “The most critical victory of the war.” American losses were 10 killed, plus two exausted soldiers who fell out to rest. Next day, their bodies were found, frozen in the snow. He was there for us at Bastogne, Belgium on Dec. 25, 1944. Hitler launched a suprise attack with 30 divisions on Dec. 16. U.S. forces in Bastogne were surrounded. Foul weather denied them air support. Short of food, medecine and ammunition, he searched the bodies of his fallen comrades for food and bullets. Somehow, he hung on. The “battered bastards of Bastogne” were relieved by Patton’s tanks on Dec. 26. He was there for us in Korea in 1950. He was cold and hungry and homesick on Christmas Day. The Japanese called Korea “Cho Sen.” He named it “Frozen Chosen.” He carried a Garand M1 rifle that weighed 8.65 pounds, loaded, and ate C rations for his Yuletide Feast. He is still there. He has traded the Garand for a lighter M16, and the C rations for self-heating MRI’s, but he will be there, for us, as long as we need him. The Defense Department recently announced some sobering statistics. From April 19, 1775 to Nov. 11, 2005, there have been 620,219 American soldiers killed in action. Another 576,393 have died of disease or accidents. Total: 1,196,612 of our best young people. The president and the legislature have the power to declare war. Let’s look at their statistics. President Bush has never been in combat. Some Senators, notably Inouye, McCain and Kerry are decorated war heros but only eight out of 100 senators have fought for this country. That’s 8 percent. The House is even lower. There are 435 representatives. Only 29, or 6.6 percent, have combat experience. That makes 536 individuals whose vote can be a life or death sentence for that soldier. In 2004, only 14 of those officials, or 2.6 percent, had children in military uniforms. What is the cost of war? Let’s ask that soldier. He is the only one who knows the answer. After all, he has been paying the bills for 230 years. Christmas Message The Cheek family will have a wonderful Christmas, with children and grandchildren visiting. When you say grace over your Yuletide Feast, will you join us in saying a special prayer for that soldier? He has given us so much and asked for so little in return. Thank You. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 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