Subject: FDR Christmas Message 1944-- Tell Obama we were a
Christian Nation
Subject: President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Christmas Message - Christmas Eve
1944
(Delivered by a Democratic President)
I receive this news
letter each month about a B-17 Bomb Group that flew out of Moleswoth, England.
It is always interesting, sometimes heart breaking. I’m sending this along
mainly because President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Christmas Message to the American People -
Christmas Eve 1944 leaves no doubt we were and always have been a
Christian Nation. Lp
Having trouble viewing this email? See the
online version here. To unsubscribe, please reply and request
removal.
Submissions of 303rd Bomb Group (Heavy) related stories and articles are most welcome.
Submissions of 303rd Bomb Group (Heavy) related stories and articles are most welcome.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS !
Christmas 1944 at Molesworth
President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Christmas
Message
to the American People - Christmas Eve 1944
to the American People - Christmas Eve 1944
It is not easy to say
"Merry Christmas" to you, my fellow Americans, in this time of
destructive war. Nor can I say "Merry Christmas" lightly tonight to
our armed forces at their battle stations all over the world- or to our allies
who fight by their side.
Here, at home, we will celebrate this Christmas Day in our traditional American way- because of its deep spiritual meaning to us; because the teachings of Christ are fundamental in our lives; and because we want our youngest generation to grow up knowing the significance of this tradition and the story of the coming of the immortal Prince of Peace and Good Will.
But, in perhaps every home in the United States, sad and anxious thoughts will be continually with the millions of our loved ones who are suffering hardships and misery, and who are risking their very lives to preserve for us and for all mankind the fruits of His teachings and the foundations of civilization itself.
The Christmas spirit lives tonight in the bitter cold of the front lines in Europe and in the heat of the jungles and swamps of Burma and the Pacific islands.
Even the roar of our bombers and fighters in the air and the guns of our ships at sea will not drown out the messages of Christmas which come to the hearts of our fighting men.
The thoughts of these men tonight will turn to us here at home around our Christmas trees, surrounded by our children and grandchildren and their Christmas stockings and gifts-just as our own thoughts go out to them, tonight and every night, in their distant places.
We all know how anxious they are to be home with us, and they know how anxious we are to have them- and how determined every one of us is to make their day of home-coming as early as possible. And – above all – they know the determination of all right-thinking people and Nations, that Christmases such as those that we have known in these years of world tragedy shall not come again to beset the souls of the children of God.
This generation has passed through many recent years of deep darkness, watching the spread of the poison of Hitlerism and Fascism in Europe-the growth of imperialism and militarism in Japan- and the final clash of war all over the world.
Then came the dark days of the fall of France, and the ruthless bombing of England, and the desperate battle of the Atlantic, and of Pearl Harbor and Corregidor and Singapore.
Since then the prayers of good men and women and children the world over have been answered. The tide of battle has turned, slowly but inexorably, against those who sought to destroy civilization.
On this Christmas day, we cannot yet say when our victory will come. Our enemies still fight fanatically. They still have reserves of men and military power. But, they themselves know that they and their evil works are doomed. We may hasten the day of their doom if we here at home continue to do our full share. And we pray that that day may come soon.
We pray that until then, God will protect our gallant men and women in the uniforms of the United Nations- that He will receive into His infinite grace those who make their supreme sacrifice in the cause of righteousness, in the cause of love of Him and His teachings.
We pray that with victory will come a new day of peace on earth in which all the Nations of the earth will join together for all time. That is the spirit of Christmas, the holy day. May that spirit live and grow throughout the world in all the years to come.
Here, at home, we will celebrate this Christmas Day in our traditional American way- because of its deep spiritual meaning to us; because the teachings of Christ are fundamental in our lives; and because we want our youngest generation to grow up knowing the significance of this tradition and the story of the coming of the immortal Prince of Peace and Good Will.
But, in perhaps every home in the United States, sad and anxious thoughts will be continually with the millions of our loved ones who are suffering hardships and misery, and who are risking their very lives to preserve for us and for all mankind the fruits of His teachings and the foundations of civilization itself.
The Christmas spirit lives tonight in the bitter cold of the front lines in Europe and in the heat of the jungles and swamps of Burma and the Pacific islands.
Even the roar of our bombers and fighters in the air and the guns of our ships at sea will not drown out the messages of Christmas which come to the hearts of our fighting men.
The thoughts of these men tonight will turn to us here at home around our Christmas trees, surrounded by our children and grandchildren and their Christmas stockings and gifts-just as our own thoughts go out to them, tonight and every night, in their distant places.
We all know how anxious they are to be home with us, and they know how anxious we are to have them- and how determined every one of us is to make their day of home-coming as early as possible. And – above all – they know the determination of all right-thinking people and Nations, that Christmases such as those that we have known in these years of world tragedy shall not come again to beset the souls of the children of God.
This generation has passed through many recent years of deep darkness, watching the spread of the poison of Hitlerism and Fascism in Europe-the growth of imperialism and militarism in Japan- and the final clash of war all over the world.
Then came the dark days of the fall of France, and the ruthless bombing of England, and the desperate battle of the Atlantic, and of Pearl Harbor and Corregidor and Singapore.
Since then the prayers of good men and women and children the world over have been answered. The tide of battle has turned, slowly but inexorably, against those who sought to destroy civilization.
On this Christmas day, we cannot yet say when our victory will come. Our enemies still fight fanatically. They still have reserves of men and military power. But, they themselves know that they and their evil works are doomed. We may hasten the day of their doom if we here at home continue to do our full share. And we pray that that day may come soon.
We pray that until then, God will protect our gallant men and women in the uniforms of the United Nations- that He will receive into His infinite grace those who make their supreme sacrifice in the cause of righteousness, in the cause of love of Him and His teachings.
We pray that with victory will come a new day of peace on earth in which all the Nations of the earth will join together for all time. That is the spirit of Christmas, the holy day. May that spirit live and grow throughout the world in all the years to come.
Lieutenant Colonel Donald R. Smith
Meade County, SD Veteran of the Month
May 2012
Meade County, SD Veteran of the Month
May 2012
Lieutenant Colonel Donald R. Smith (retired) served from 1944-1947 in the U.S. Army Air Corps and again 1951
to 1974 in the U.S. Air Force.
He flew 34 missions over Germany as a copilot in a B-17 bomber as a member of the 303rd Bombardment Group / 427th Bombardment Squadron out of Molesworth, England; to include infamous raids over the heavily defended cities of Merseburg and Ludwigshafen, Germany.
After returning to the states, he was assigned as a Maintenance Officer on numerous aircraft types and also flew with the Hurricane Hunters out of Keesler, Mississippi. He currently resides in Blackhawk, SD.
He flew 34 missions over Germany as a copilot in a B-17 bomber as a member of the 303rd Bombardment Group / 427th Bombardment Squadron out of Molesworth, England; to include infamous raids over the heavily defended cities of Merseburg and Ludwigshafen, Germany.
After returning to the states, he was assigned as a Maintenance Officer on numerous aircraft types and also flew with the Hurricane Hunters out of Keesler, Mississippi. He currently resides in Blackhawk, SD.
303rd BG Veteran Marv EdwardsGrand Marshal of the Branson, MO Christmas Parade
Marv
writes: Christmas 2012 brings joy as I think of each of you and what a great
life this is! I miss Lou but she will always be with me and our memories are
comforting.
I
was a celebrated veteran this year! Jane arranged for me to be taken up in a
B17; Complete with TV and newspaper interviews. The flight was something else!!
The
local bank honored me with veteran of the quarter and I was Grand Marshal of
the Branson Christmas parade. It was a treat to ride in a car after marching
and carrying the flag for many years.
MOST UNIQUELY POSED CREW PHOTO
submitted by Valerie Garneau, grand-niece of Charles Garneau
FINIS A. BRUMBELOE CREW - 360th BS
(crew assigned 360BS: 27 Oct 1943 - photo: Rapid City, SD 19 Aug 1943)
(Back L-R) 2Lt Finis A. Brumbeloe (P)(WIA/POW), 2Lt Donnell H. Marsh (CP)(POW),
2Lt James R. Groves (N)(WIA/POW), 2Lt Charles D. Garneau (B)(KIA), S/Sgt Peter J. Kiebish (E)(POW)
(Front L-R) Sgt Howard S. Payton (RWG)(KIA), Sgt William C. Steele (BTG)(KIA),
S/Sgt Harry V. Hosso (LWG)(POW), Sgt William R. Perryman (TG)(POW)
===============================================================================================================================================================================
submitted by Valerie Garneau, grand-niece of Charles Garneau
FINIS A. BRUMBELOE CREW - 360th BS
(crew assigned 360BS: 27 Oct 1943 - photo: Rapid City, SD 19 Aug 1943)
(Back L-R) 2Lt Finis A. Brumbeloe (P)(WIA/POW), 2Lt Donnell H. Marsh (CP)(POW),
2Lt James R. Groves (N)(WIA/POW), 2Lt Charles D. Garneau (B)(KIA), S/Sgt Peter J. Kiebish (E)(POW)
(Front L-R) Sgt Howard S. Payton (RWG)(KIA), Sgt William C. Steele (BTG)(KIA),
S/Sgt Harry V. Hosso (LWG)(POW), Sgt William R. Perryman (TG)(POW)
===============================================================================================================================================================================
|
<
|
1 comment:
THANK YOU, BEAUTIFUL.. WE ALSO HAVE CHRISTIAN ORIGNS IN EUROPE ..WHICH we seem to have forgotten...
in these new times which are NOW beginning we wish yong to yiu nd ourselves, too.. to become more conscious of this..we want to connect to the most high qualities nd I AM presence.. helped by th e metafisical school. and are trying to live with our heart nd faith in thoughts-- deeDs and feelings according tO CHRISTIC values.
merry Christmas to everybody for all 2013
.anna itlay free from cabala.
.alleluiaih..angleic hug
Post a Comment