A BLUE CANDLE LIGHTING

[Alicia Texas mother of Chris/A blue candle mom]

Blue Candle Lighting on Christmas Day. Several have asked,,, is there a special blue candle? No
Several have asked how many days and how long.? The burning of the candle length is determined by the one lighting the candle.

Once, again this lighting of the blue candle represents the sailors, recruits and military that will not be joining their families during the holidays. This being done because we want to remember the families that are seperated. Some of our children and spouses are coming home and some are not so let us all remember the great sacrifice our men and women do in the service of our country.
Remember any kind of candle will do ,,,blue electric or wax. We thankyou and if you want to comment please do.. also RSVP your attendance if you are doing so in the Events.

[Marybeth]

Forgot to add my candle will be lit in St. Augustine, Florida.

[Alicia Texas mother of Chris/A blue candle mom]

Marybeth it is with a recruit on Christmas...My heart goes to you and the moms who won't be with their chldren and with the children who won't be with their dads.... because they may be recruits and sailors. It is hard at this time of year and yet we know there are so many others we can share our feelings with and know the feelings we are having are NORMAL for moms and wives of service personnel. And pardon me for saying this but sometimes when times are hard we have to have balls to hang the balls. Hang each one with pride, and honor and then it won't be so hard to do it. Alicia

[TammyE]

Hello All,
I have a candle burning here in Honeoye Falls NY, even though my sailor will be here with us. I have also gathered several friends and family in Rochester NY and surrounding towns, to light candles as well. Great Idea Alicia!!!!!

[Grace]

What a wonderful idea. my Son is coming home this evening, I am Soooo excited, however, I cannot help but think of our Sailors that are not coming home to their families, I know their families will miss them. This is a wonderful way of praying for them and remembring them. Thank you and bless you this Christmas season lol

[Barbara 'Cookie" A]

I received this poem from a friend. It's mesage is beautiful, but you'll need a tissue.
Merry Christmas everyone

A Different Christmas Poem


The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many
people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to
our
U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these
festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe.
Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves
for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

[Alicia Texas mother of Chris/A blue candle mom]

Absolutely beautiful poem.... certainly wish we could get this young officer the message...We will light a Blue Candle for him and his mates.... God Bless Them

[Mona Lisa Harris]

I think this is just great! Another way to show how we support our Sailors..I am in Tucson, Arizona. Thanks for being here..

[Jor-Jean (AM Kyle )]

I bought my candle yesterday, my son's still in DEP, but in support of all those sailors who aren't able to come home.

[Susan Kopp]

In Nevada City, California we will light our blue candel from today the 21st until Christmas day for our sailor. Today is his baby girl's first birthday! One at his parent's home, and one at his siste's home. Blessings to all of for a Merry Christmas, Susan

[Tammy T]

Frankfort, Indiana Son will not be home for Christmas. Did you hear the song by Doug Stone "Sailing home for Christmas"?

[Patricia]

Hi Tammy, I noticed your reference to "Sailing Home for Christmas". I found the lyrics (but not the music) online. The words are very touching. I couldn't find it on U Tube or anywhere else.

[Stephanie aka Ryder's Mom]

I will proudly burn my blue candle here in Rowlett, Texas and have been on a mission to make sure everyone I know will do the same in honor of all our brave men and women in uniform who proudly serve and protect us. Stephanie aka proud Navy mom to Ryder aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt