2014 post of the year -- A must read. At least watch the video. By CajunConservative 100 years ago today, the most inspiring event in the course of human history occurred. In the middle of the bloody combat between British and German troops, a glimmer of hope inspired an event that would be remembered a century later: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE. In December of 1914, millions of young men from across the world were called up to leave their families to serve in the First World War. Without hesitation, young men left their quiet lives to answer their countrys call. As Christmas drew near and the men were faced with a somber Christmas eve within the cold, dark, and wet trenches of Europe, morale quickly fell on each side of the trenches, in some areas, only thirty yards apart. In an attempt to lift their comrades spirits, the British quietly exchanged gifts sent from home while the Germans decorated Christmas trees to place atop the trenches. As the British and the Germans marveled at how the other still managed to find Christmas spirit, with the flicker of candles coming from the German line and faint singing of Silent Night from the British, something remarkable happened. Out of the quiet night, singing of Stille Nacht! Heilge Nacht! Alles schlaft, einsam wacht could loudly be heard from the German line, singing in unison with the British. On that cold night, men not so different, yet forced into conflict, sang together in different languages on the front. The next morning at dawn, Christmas morning, men were awoken by screams. SCHNELL! SCHNELL! EIN BRITE KOMMT! (Hurry, hurry! A Briton comes!) was sounding from the German line as men on each side took position, rifles in hand, prepared to meet an enemy attack. Both sides were shocked to see a British soldier, bearing a white flag, approaching the German line. Then, a German rose as well. They met in the middle, each side still pointing rifles at each other while the two unarmed in the middle shook hands. These two brave men sparked the Christmas Truce. Soon, men on each side dropped their rifles and met in the middle of no mans land. Gifts were exchanged among enemies, a German barber offered haircuts, and a soccer match even took place. After some time, each side returned to their trenches, due to the threat of artillery fire and officers unhappy with such fraternization. Still, for those few hours in the middle of the blood-stained grounds of Europe, two armies found their humanity, and inspired the world, even a century later. All across the front, multiple different truces and ceasefires occurred. In some areas, officers quickly forced their men back into their trenches under threat of firing squad. In others, only a ceasefire took place, with officers from each side agreeing not to fire at one another until the 26th. In many areas, though, some sort of fraternization did occur, though not on the level that was experienced in the true story of the Truce at Saint-Yves, I described above. Regardless, these brave young men showed the world that even in the midst of chaos and conflict, one can still find his humanity. May God bless you all this Christmas season, especially all of our heroes away from home serving -- LEO, paramedic/EMT, FF, correctional officers, soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, guardsmen, ER staff, and every person who is not with his or her family today because of service to others. Merry Christmas. Yours in Liberty, CajunConservative
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 19:09:20 +0000
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