The Forestry Forum

     In 1944 as a young Army Air corpman listened to the wind whistling past the bullet holes in the B17 that now punctuated its right side, he remembered his promise of several days earlier. On a similar flight he had promised God that if returned safely to his young family, that he would follow any path in which the lord would lead, and for the next 50 years he did so without fail.

     Christmas was a special time for the corpman and his family, celebrating each one with his wife and 3 young daughters and then eventually at the age of 40 a son and another daughter.  One of the traditions the corpman had was to relate to his family what he called "God's version" of the Night before Christmas. Eventually the son would continue to share the story with his family and friends.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


I love you Dad and I miss you.
Merry Christmas everyone.

Poignant,  and touching..............

What a wonderful story, Jeff, and Thank you for sharing it with us.

Merry Christmas

I wanted to bring this up where it belongs. Merry Christmas folks!

Merry Christmas, Tiny Tim!

Merry Christmas all.

And to all a good night!   :)

God bless us, everyone!

 :D

I wanted to bring this up for my Dad.

  I'd say ya done just fine, Boss.

   :D Merry Christmas to one and all.  :)

Nice story Jeff...thank you for sharing.

Thank you, Jeff and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

My dad was tuff on me in my earlier years but I love him and miss him also.
EZ

Thanks for posting that for all to share in, its a blessing

The Bible says that we are to honor or Father and Mother.
You bring much honor to the Brokaw name. (seriously)

Merry Christmas to you and your family Jeff  

And Happy Birthday Jesus

Family traditions are wonderful, they bind the generations together. To all MERRY CHRISTMAS.

You're the man Jeff - God's blessings on you and your household. I'm prayin' that He touches your shoulder in a way that amazes you. A very merry Christmas to you and to each one on this forum!  May He come close!            
                                     Devan

Thanks for sharing Jeff,
What a great tribute to your Dad! Also a glimpse of what makes you the man you are today. Tis true the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Sandmar

Merry Christmas Jeff .  Thanks for not turning me into a pumpkin and I promise to never tangle with the boys in the kiln drying section again !   :-X

Heya Jeff,
Thanks for the story. The true meaning of Christmas can easily get lost these days. The guy in the B17 was your dad?? ???


Merry Christmas everyone.....

Thanks for bringing this back to the top again, Big Guy. It's becoming a ForestryForum tradition, too. :)

Merry Christmas, all!

Thanks, Jeff. I lost my dad, who was also a WWII, vet in the spring of this year. He is gone, but still with us this holiday season.

Merry Christmas everyone and God Bless......  

I too am thankful for my Dad and the Christain hertiage and legacy that he left for us kids. In our home Christmas never became about us but was always about what God did for us.
I can only hope that my kids look back at their memories of Christmas as a magical time where family and God were really important to me.
Thanks for sharing the story, Jeff
Merry Christmas to all my FF brothers and sisters 8)

Brought even a tear to the SwampDonkey. I used to read that at the christmas concert in church, as a young whipper snapper. Merry Christams all. :)

kinda puts santa in his place, eh?

God Bless
Merry Christmas

Thanks for the story Jeff.
My Grandfather was in a German POW camp for one Christmas and the only thing he ever shared about that experience was singing "Oh Tannenbaum" along with his captors that Christmas eve. Every year before we opened presents we sang Oh Christmas Tree in English followed by the German version. He could never finish the song without a flood of tears. He died in 82 but we still sing both versions of the song each year, now I can't hold back the flood of tears.
Merry Christmas all!

Very nice story Jeff. Thanks for sharing it.
Merry Christmas to you too...
Merry Christmas all!

AMEN

Thanks for the Christmas present, Jeff

Captain

I try to bring this up most every year for Christmas and to help Remember my Dad. (You all would have liked him). This year I thought of it a little earlier because of the Christmas tree vrs holiday tree thread here:
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=15621.0;all

Very timely thread. Merry Christmas to all. I think it very important to remember our folks in uniform like Jeffs dad, particularly at this time of the year. We have someone very dear to us who should be out of Iraq to Kuwait and then home. His supervisors say he will be home not later than Dec18 and I can't wait until his boots are on American soil. Best wishes to all.

Tom, Jeff B got a gimp now? ;D

Thanks for sharing with us Jeff.

Merry Christmas to you all.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to every one here at The Forestry Forum

Jeff,

We are all better off because of your hard work. You are a hell of a guy. Merry Christmas, my friend.

And best wishes to all at the great Forestry Forum.
Den

It has been quite sometime since this was first posted. I would like to bring it back up to wish everyone a Merry Christmas like my Dad would have.

I some how locked this topic when I posted on it via my phone. sure didn't mean to do that!

What a refresher of what Christmas is all about.
I can tell your Dad was a special man to you. I'll bet he was a blessing to everyone that came in contact with him.
Very good post Brother. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas Jeff, that was very nice, thank you for bringing that back up.

Merry Christmas to all of my Forestry Forum friends! Thanks for the story, Jeff.
Mark

Thanks Jeff.  This one was "hidden" and I do not remember ever seeing it.  Yes, we remember and carry on for those who have gone on before us.  We remember them in our heart, but it is also good to share.

Thanks for bringing this back, Jeff.  It not only is a wonderful reminder of the real Christmas spirit, it also brings back wonderful memories of Forumites who have moved on out of our lives, for whatever reason.  I see some names in the first year of this thread that were key in formulating the Forestry Forum creed of generosity and human love.  That is something that has become very rare in this world, and I thank you for keeping it alive.  Merry Christmas to all of my Forestry Forum friends!  :)

Thanks for posting this, Jeff.  Reverend Sarah always reads this to us as well.  Merry Christmas.

Quinton

Great story Jeff Merry Christmas .

Like Lynn, I haven't seen this thread before either.

Great story Jeff, thanks for posting.

Read throught it just now and there were words and names that brought a tear to this ole guys eye!

Merry Christmas to all.

I to never came a crossed this post    and thanks jeff for doing such a great job     MARRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERY ONE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                from cox logging

Wonderful thread Jeff, family has always been a central point in our lives, being of old Czech lineage we have been celebrating our elders for generations. My grandfather brought his family to this wonderful country in the midst of WWII and we were raised with an appreciation and pride for our heritage. I'm sure he was much like your father with character to aspire to. His greatest lessons to us were to be self reliant, try to be honorable, and that devotion to family was not negotiable.

I miss him, miss that I could always rely on his honesty, though sometimes as a youngster it took a bit (sometimes years) to understand his wisdom. No matter what it always came back to family.

From our family to all of yours, may the blessings that have been so richly bestowed upon ours be shared with yours. Merry Christmas All

Joe

Jeff, thanks for putting "Christ" back in "Christmas". 

Me thinks your dad would be very proud.  What an awesome Christmas tradition to pass on.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, and to all the good people on the Forestry Forum.

thanks jeff for that wonderful story. I read through all the comments and not one negative remark!!! that  means this is the forum where the good people hang out  8) 8)  smiley_clapping  :christmas: everyone

Thanks for revisiting this Jeff.  Nice read.
Merry Chrismas everyone, Christ is born!

Nice post Jeff

It has been a few years since bringing this up. Merry Christmas everyone.  :)

Very nice, Jeff, and a fine tradition and heritage your dad gave you all👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Thank you for the story! Merry Christmas!

I love that story. It's one I never get tired of. Thanks for bringing it up!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL and a SAFE New Year...

Very nice, timeless,  thanks Jeff.

Quote from: Jeff on December 19, 2001, 12:40:23 PM
    In 1944 as a young Army Air corpman listened to the wind whistling past the bullet holes in the B17 that now punctuated its right side, he remembered his promise of several days earlier. On a similar flight he had promised God that if returned safely to his young family, that he would follow any path in which the lord would lead, and for the next 50 years he did so without fail.

    Christmas was a special time for the corpman and his family, celebrating each one with his wife and 3 young daughters and then eventually at the age of 40 a son and another daughter.  One of the traditions the corpman had was to relate to his family what he called "God's version" of the Night before Christmas. Eventually the son would continue to share the story with his family and friends.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


I love you Dad and I miss you.
Merry Christmas everyone.

Merry Christmas everyone. I Got exactly what I wanted for Christmas. My daughter out of The I.C.U. and back in her home after a battle with a Complex plural effusion. Some scary times right up until last night when things really started going the right direction. She will have a visiting nurse for a few days but shes home!
Merry Christmas everyone

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/40650.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1640371615)

Special thanks to @doc henderson (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=41041) and @doctorb (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=10176) for all the personal support the last couple weeks. 

Now that's a Christmas present!!!!!

 smiley_thumbsup :christmas:

Merry Christmas Stacey smiley_wavy, Jeremy, Jeff and Tammy. Have a safe and healthy time. :)

Yes, the Best Christmas Prayers answered.  Thank You Jeff for the picture and to Stacy for the Smile.  :)

I just read the whole post, very touching and heart felt family history. Thank you for sharing it.

What a great day for you and the rest of your family.


From My Family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and may everyone enjoy a healthy and safe New Year. 

There are Miracles on earth as in Heaven, enjoy the moment.

So very glad Stacy is home! Looks cold in that hospital :D
 Nothing better than having family home. Good for you guys!

The valuable lessons taught to you as a child Jeff, serve you well, and honor your father and God the father at the same time.  God bless.
:christmas:

Very touching. Merry Christmas!

That's the greatest  gift you could ask for so glad for your family. :)

Yep....things worked out pretty well.  Let's keep it that way!  Merry Christmas to all, and an especially Happy New Year to Stacy.  

QuoteI know what we all want for Christmas, Stacy stable and improving.

Well we're all good, Merry Christmas!

Glad you're outta the woods Stacy  :)

Happy to hear she's doing well Jeff. 

What a wonderful thread and a wonderful Christmas gift to have family together!
Merry Christmas!