While Shepards Kept Their Watch

[cincibuck]

While you and I are enjoying our holidays, somewhere out there someone is keeping watch over us. It's often not as bad as it seems. In most instances the duty is bit more relaxed and the unbelievable camaraderie that accompanies military service will help with homesickness. Gifts will arrive, some will get to make phone calls and many will be free to go online. There will be a hot meal for most of the force, even those furthest from the command flag pole.

But there will still be guard mount, duty officer, duty NCO, staff duty officer and staff duty NCO, fire watch, perimeter duty, CQ, and on and on; responsibilities that go on despite the holiday.

Take a moment to hold these people in your thoughts. They are there because they volunteered. They are there at our personal request. They are away from home, away from family, but they will carry out their mission. Bless them.





Christmas Eve, 1968, First Infantry Divison HQs, Lai Khe, Vietnam

 

[HineyBuck]

While not wanting to distract from the eloquence of Cinci's post or the message it conveys, the thread title reminded me of some more literal shepherds I observed recently in the countryside of Ethiopia.

Young boys, from the age of 6,7, or 8 were assigned to tend flocks of 10-15 animals (mostly cattle, some goats, a few sheep), one boy to a flock. They, too, worked in service to their family and village. But they did not volunteer; they work alone and isolated from their comrades; and there will be no gifts, certainly no phone calls, and not likely even a hot meal.

Yet, though they appear to be young boys, they will tell you they are men because they take responsibility for the family's animals.

Another different world to remind us, as did Cinci, how fortunate we are.