Hi,

Story in A Tampa Newspaper

WILL we still be the Country of choice and still be America IF we continue

to make the changes forced on us by the people from other countries

that came to live in America because it is the Country of Choice??????

Think about it .

All I have to say is, when will they do something about MY RIGHTS?

I celebrate Christmas , but because it isn't celebrated by everyone,

we can no longer say Merry Christmas . Now it has to be Season's Greetings........

It's not Christmas vacation, it's Winter Break.

Isn't it amazing how this winter break ALWAYS occurs over the Christmas holiday ?

We've gone so far the other way, bent over backwards to not offend anyone,

that I AM now being Offended .

But it seems that no one has a problem with that.

This says it all!

This is an editorial written by an American Citizen,

published in a Tampa newspaper.

He did quite a job--didn't he? Read on, please!

IMMIGRANTS,

NOT AMERICANS,

MUST ADAPT.

-

I am tired of this nation worrying about whether

we are offending some individual or their culture.

Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11,

we have experienced a surge in

patriotism by the majority of Americans.

However, the dust from the attacks had barely

settled when the "politically correct" crowd

began complaining about the possibility

that Our Patriotism was offending others.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold

a grudge against anyone who is seeking

a better life by coming to America .

Our Population is almost entirely made

up of descendants of immigrants.

However, there are a few things that those

who have recently come to Our Country,

and apparently some born here,

need to understand.

This idea of America being a multi cultural

community has served only to dilute Our

Sovereignty and Our National Identity.

As Americans, we have Our Own Culture,

Our Own Society, Our Own Language and

Our Own Lifestyle. This culture has been

developed over centuries of struggles,

trials, and victories by millions of men

and women who have sought FREEDOM.

We speak ENGLISH , not Spanish,

Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese,

Russian, or any other language.

Therefore, if you wish to become part

of Our Society, learn the language!

"In God We Trust" is Our National Motto.

This is not some Christian , right wing,

political slogan.

We adopted this motto because Christian men

and women, on Christian principles, founded

this nation, and this is clearly documented.

It is certainly appropriate to display it

on the walls of Our Schools. If God

offends you, then I suggest you

consider another part of the world as

your new home, because God is part

of Our Culture.

If "Stars and Stripes" offend you, or

you don't like Uncle Sam , then you

should seriously consider a move

to another part of this planet. We

are happy with Our Culture and have

no desire to change, and we really

don't care how you did things where

you came from. This is Our Country,

Our Land, and Our Lifestyle.

Our First Amendment gives every citizen

the right to express his opinion and we

will allow you every opportunity to do so.

But once you are done complaining,

whining, and griping about Our Flag,

Our Pledge, Our National Motto, or Our

Way of Life, I highly encourage you

take advantage of one other great

American Freedom ,

THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.

It is Time for America to Speak up

If you agree -- pass this along;

if you don't agree -- delete it!

I N GOD WE TRUST

AMEN

I figure if we all keep passing this to Our Friends

(and enemies) it will also, sooner or later

get back to the complainers, lets all try, please.

GOD BLESS THE USA .

Merry Christmas

chucktoo

Christmas 1914 and World War One are surrounded by myths and legends - especially over a football match played on Christmas Day and who won. The British public and the soldiers fighting in the mud of Flanders were given the impression by those in charge that the Germans, fighting possibly less than100 metres away, were blood-lusting psychopaths bent on destroying all in their way. Any form of friendship between the two sides fighting the war, would have been seen as detrimental to this impression. While the Germans remained the "evil Hun", the government and the military could justify their respective tactics.

However, the first Christmas of 1914 clearly broke the impression that those in charge wanted to portray. For many years - even after the war - the government wanted to maintain the image of the dastardly Hun and any references to any fraternisation between both sides was clamped down on. There were whispers here and there but no actual evidence. The same happened with the football match between the British and the Germans. The image that the German soldiers were just like the British and the French would not have worked for the Allies. But recent research by Stanley Weintraub has proved that there was fraternisation - improvised at the time in December 1914 but with some ‘rules’ quickly built in.

Weintraub has found that the first smatterings that something was not quite right took place in the trenches where the Berkshire Regiment faced the XIX Corps of the German Army. The XIX’s were from Saxony. The Saxons started to put up small conifers on the parapets of their trenches - akin to our Christmas trees. The Berkshires could see many of them lining the tops of the XIX’s trenches. Groups of the Berkshires and the Saxons met in No-Mans Land and officers from both sides turned a blind eye to this fraternisation which broke military law. In fact, the officers in these trenches agreed to an informal truce between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

During the next 24 hours, impromptu cease fires occurred throughout the Western Front. The British High Command - stationed 27 miles behind the trenches - was horrified but little could be done. A military directive had been issued which stated:

"It (fraternisation) discourages initiative in commanders, and destroys the offensive spirit in all ranks."

This was ignored. British High Command then informed the front line that an attack by the Germans was expected on Christmas Eve:

"It is though possible the enemy may be contemplating an attack during Christmas or New Year. Special vigilance will be maintained during this period."

This, too, was ignored. Troops on the front line had already got into the festive spirit as German troops had received Christmas trees and gifts and the British troops had received a Christmas gift from Princess Mary, the daughter of George V. The king had also sent a Christmas card to the front with the message "May God protect you and bring you home safe."

On Christmas Eve many sectors along the Western Front did not experience any fire or very little when compared to the previous days in December. Christmas carols were sung between trenches. In the dark of night time, groups of German and Allied soldiers met in No-Man’s Land. No one is sure who started this truce and impromptu meetings but they certainly took place in many areas on the Western Front. Captain R J Armes of the 1st North Staffordshire Regiment arranged, with a German officer, for a cease fire in his sector that was to last until midnight on Christmas Day.

Christmas Day itself started with unarmed German and British soldiers collecting their dead from No-Man’s Land. This has been a pre-condition for a cease-fire. On Christmas Eve night, when the soldiers from both sides had met, they had done so among the bodies of their fallen comrades. In one burial service, German and British dead were buried alongside each other near Lille.

With this task over, both groups of men then exchanged gifts - primarily food. Sauerkraut and sausages came from the Germans while chocolate was given in exchange. In some sectors, it was reported that both Germans and British got together for a communal hunt for hares so that Christmas Day could be celebrated with fresh meat. The regimental records of the 133rd Saxon Regiment also records a football match which they won 3-2. This score was also supported by a letter published in "The Times" from a British major in the Medical Corps.

As midnight on Christmas Day approached, men from both sides drifted back to their trenches. Pre-arranged signals had been decided on to allow the men to get back. The use of a flare was enough to warn men to get back and that the cease fire was over.

On Boxing Day, the shooting started again.

Field Marshall Sir John French's HQ issued a statement that the lack of firing on the Western Front was "a comparative lull on account of the stormy weather."

"Altogether we had a great day with our enemies, and parted with much hand-shaking and mutual goodwill." Percy Jones of the Queen's Westminster Regiment.

"It was a curious scene - a lovely moonlit (Christmas) night, the German trenches with small lights on them, and the men on both sides gathered in groups on the parapets. It is weird to think that tomorrow night we shall be at it again. If one gets through this show it will be a Christmas time to live in one's memory." Captain R Armes of the 1st North Staffordshire regiment.

"It was absolutely astounding, and if I had seen it on a cinematograph film I should have sworn that it was faked." Lieutenant Sir Edward Hulse, 2nd Scots Guards.

"What a sight; little groups of Germans and British extending along the length of our front. Out of the darkness we could hear the laughter and see lighted matches. Where they couldn't talk the language, they made themselves understood by signs, and everyone seemed to be getting on nicely. Here we were laughing and chatting to men whom only a few hours before we were trying to kill " Corporal John Ferguson of the Seaforth Highlanders.

This story catches the impact of Christmas!!! Wether you like x-mas or not , it may be a reason to cease fire for a while .

Lennon

Cant help but wonder how many other WW 2 vets recieved a short note enclosed in a

C ration package or a K ration package from one of the packagers. I still wonder just how they got it enclosed. They were almost like a letter from home. Didnt get many but got a few in ETO in WW 2. Always thanking us. Allways wish I kept one or two as

keepsakes. Even these short notes meant a lot till letters from home came. It was really nice of them to do that.

Some background on the subject http://www.serve.com/shea/germusa/xmastree.htm

Received an email from the author this morning. Thought you guys should know about this book. Always happy to get another vet's story in the limelight.

--------------------

Notice of a new WWII book you or your family might like.

I'm a London-based author and spent the last few years helping one of America's greatest unsung heroes of WWII, William Ash, put together his wartime autobiography UNDER THE WIRE, which has just been published in USA and Canada.

Bill, who just celebrated his 88th birthday, is probably the greatest living US prisoner of war escape-artist of WWII. Born in Texas, he joined the RCAF in 1940 and flew Spitfires until shot down in 1942. He then became a serial escape artist, attempting 13 PoW-camp escapes - cutting through the barbed wire, climbing over it, or tunneling under it before finally escaping for good.

When the book came out in the UK a few months ago, it became an instant best-seller, but somehow it has been almost completely ignored so far by the media in North America. The only thing we can do to get Bill and his book the recognition they deserve in the US and Canada is to turn to the internet and people who care about WWII and the people who fought it for us. So I would be very grateful if you would forward this note to anyone who you think might like the book or help to spread the word that it is out there, available at most good bookshops or online at Amazon

I have sent this note as a one-off to individual email addresses from my favorite WWII/aviation/history websites, forums and guestbooks, but would really appreciate it if you could spread the word to anyone who you know cares about WWII and keeping the spirit and history of the 'greatest generation' alive for future generations. It is in the bookshops now.

Sincere thanks,

Brendan Foley

londonwriter2001@yahoo.co.uk

Book Details:

US/Canada edition:

UNDER THE WIRE by William Ash and Brendan Foley

Published by Thomas Dunne Books (St Martin's Press)

ISBN: 0312338325

UK/Rest of world edition:

UNDER THE WIRE by William Ash and Brendan Foley

by Bantam Press, (Transworld Publishers)

ISBN: 0593054083

Comments from authors:

‘What a splendid book! A young Texan brought up in the middle of the Depression who pulls himself up by his boot straps, thereafter hikes to Canada to fly Spitfires for the Brits while America is still neutral. Just as the U. S. enters the war, he is shot down, and another exciting and terrible episode in his life begins. Living under terrible conditions he makes several attempts to escape until he finally succeeds in saving himself and many of his fellow POWs. This is a moving and heroic story of a young man who overcomes all obstacles with a sense of humor and succeeds in the end. Hollywood should snap this book up in a flash. Buy it, read it, enjoy it.’

Charles Whiting, author of Hero, Life and Death of Audie Murphy

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‘An astonishing tale - totally spell-binding. Bill Ash makes Steve McQueen look like Jim Carrey. Perhaps his greatest achievement was to emerge from the horrors of the war with his faith in ordinary people enhanced. That's the real heroism of the man, and of the book’.

Alan Plater, writer of Last of the Blonde Bombshells, The Beiderbecke Trilogy

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‘Bill Ash is an old-fashioned hero whose exploits should be read not just by adults, but by children everywhere. Not just because they would learn a lot about the Second World War, but also because they would be inspired. This is a story of bravery in the face of brutality, of comradeship, of a never-say-die attitude; and running through it is a sense of humor that cheers up the grimmest situations.’

Heather Nicholson, The Times (London)

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‘Readers may be familiar with Stalag Luft III as the German prison camp that was the setting of the movie The Great Escape. Ash was a real-life prisoner there during World War II, and he spent most of his time there trying to escape. He was a "cooler king," a real-life version of the Steve McQueen character in the film. For Ash, unlike his fictional counterparts, life was not a lighthearted adventure. His entry into Occupied France was via an airplane crash, he was tortured by the Gestapo, he watched his friends and fellow prisoners gunned down while attempting their own breakouts. Like Paul Brickhill's Great Escape (the book on which the movie was loosely based) and other WWII lemme-outta-here stories, this memoir is full of excitement and drama. Fans of escape literature will eat it up’.

David Pitt, American Library Association

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‘Bill Ash has led a life of adventure that will inspire, astonish, and sometimes even amuse the readers of this memoir. It also fills in many gaps in the history of World War II including the day-to-day activities of the splendid pilots who fought the Germans to a standstill in the skies above Britain. Crawling out of Depression-era Texas with ten cents in his pockets, a world to explore, and the cockiness of a born daredevil, Ash joined the Royal Air Force as a pilot just in time to help fight the air war over Britain and France. It was a time of courage and pain, and of wild celebrations of life amidst the prospects of imminent death.

Ash escaped death in the skies only to find himself in a German POW camp. How he and his fellow prisoners resisted their captors is the true story behind such fictional sagas as Stalag 17 and The Great Escape. Ash is a writer who makes his readers feel as if they're right there beside him through it all. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the escapades of Bill Ash during World War II. Readers who like stories of wild and magnificent adventure are going to love this book!’

Homer Hickam, author, Rocket Boys/October Sky, The Ambassador's Son

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‘A remarkable story of one man's refusal to give in to his captors, brilliantly told and with all the authentic sights, sounds ands smells of the World War II prison camp.’

Tony Rennell, co-author of The Last Escape

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'Under the Wire' is a well-written and exciting memoir of wartime captivity that is packed with incident and vividly recreates the oft-neglected early days of Stalag Luft III and the now forgotten mass escape from Oflag XXIB, Schubin - a sort of dress rehearsal for the famous Great Escape. The author himself is one of the great unsung heroes of the Second World War, as are some of those whose adventures he records in this remarkable book. It also makes a refreshing change to read a memoir by someone who is politically literate and knew exactly what he was fighting against and what he was fighting for.’ There are passages in this book - particularly those concerning the political awakening of POWs and their determination to create a better post-war world - that make the reader want to stand up and cheer. ‘

Charles Rollings, author of Wire and Walls, Wire and Worse

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‘Under the Wire is everything I would expect from a memoir by Bill Ash -- fast-paced, exciting and moving, but also colored by his mischievous sense of humor. He has a real gift as a storyteller -- the characters and events come off the page as if we were meeting and experiencing them ourselves. Bill Ash was one of the great escape artists of the Second World War, and always managed to put himself in the center of the action. He endured a lot, but never lost his essential humanity and zest for life, something that comes through very strongly in his book. That's what makes Under the Wire such a joy to read -- getting to know the irrepressible Ash and reliving his adventures with him.’

Jonathan Vance, author of A Gallant Company: The Men of the Great Escape

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‘Under The Wire is an introspective and instructive look at the indomitable spirit to escape from World War II German prison camps possessed by men like American fighter pilot William Ash. Beaten, starving, freezing or sick, they were relentless in their quest to force German troops to hunt them and thus not be available for other fronts, and to get home themselves to fight again. From hard times in Depression-era Texas to flying Spitfires against the Luftwaffe to Gestapo torture chambers, Ash's memoir is thoughtful, deep, and poignant for a fighter pilot, almost dreamlike sometimes in its obscurity and wistfulness. But reality always returns in the grim details of camp life, the wily and ingenious methods of escape, and the stories of brave and courageous men and their break outs. Ash has a humor and incitefulness that adds to the history. His book is a testament to man's deep-seated yearning to be free.’

Robert Wilcox, author of First Blue

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‘Under the Wire is a revelation in World War Two history. A true story of fighter pilots, few in number but among the first to take a stand against the destructive powers of the Nazis in their bid to enslave and rule the world. Under the Wire tells it like it was. Here is a true, honest-to-God historical account in the first person of Bill Ash, Spitfire fighter pilot and escapologist. Everyone should read this bit of history brought to light.’

Donald R. Burgett, author of The Road to Arnhem and the Screaming Eagles series