“IN GOD WE TRUST”
www.shelbyinfo.com Our 40th Year • Issue No. 51 • December 21, 2023
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Soldiers’ Stories: Christmas Away from Home Through the Years trenches of WWI and sang “Stille Nacht.” Moments later, a group of British soldiers respond with the words “Silent Night.” Throughout the night, carols were sung back and forth across no man’s land. The following day, German soldiers come out of the trenches, offering gifts and food. At first, the British and French soldiers are unsure, but quickly realize that b o t h sides w a n t Radar Third Class, William Weller, US Navy, to cel- WWII. ebrate from Europe to the South Pacific. Christmas. The soldiers The Armed Forces mail system ate together and encouraged families to ship by played soccer, October 15 to be sure it arrived by and the Germans Christmas. Let me share a story brought an ever- about my Dad and his experience green tree with with the mail. Radarman Third candles on it for Class William Weller was in the the celebration. US Navy aboard the USS Starr This Christmas somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Marines volunteering to help Santa (l to r) Mat- truce was made He was married and had two thew Talbot, Patrick Tiernan, Jr, and Brad Ham- possible by the daughters at the time, who were enlisted men. No six and four years old. The girls let stationed in Husaybah, Iraq. general or diplo- decided to send sugar cookies to mate ordered the him as a Christmas gift. They used Christmas Truce popcorn to help protect the cookof 1914. Soldiers ies. In March 1945, they got a letshared traditions ter from their Dad stating that all and memories of the sailors on his watch enjoyed their families as the cinnamon sugar popcorn they they heard the had sent as a gift. Bing Crosby was singing the words of Silent Night and sang song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” other familiar car- describing a soldier far from home thinking about what they rememols. During WWII, ber each Christmas. “Please have the United States snow and mistletoe and presents had over sixteen by the tree.” The USO reported it million men and was the most requested song on women in the the radio overseas. Woody Weaver, an Air Force military worldwide. Families veteran of 23 years, shared his wrote letters and story of Christmas by showing A combat ready Santa encourages families to sent packages to a postcard that his father, who Send Parcels Early. military personnel See SOLDIERS, Page 10 In our country’s history, brave soldiers have spent Christmas far away from their families during times of war. For soldiers from World War I to Afghanistan, staying in touch with their families was critical as letters were written and sent to their son or daughter deployed. Christmas songs were essential to how they connected to their homes and family. What are the stories behind the songs sung from World War I to Afghanistan? Songs like “Silent Night” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” In 1914, on Christmas Eve, a German soldier stood atop the
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Woody Weaver sharing his postcard from his Dad in the South Pacific. A side note, Woody passed away on December 13 from cancer. He was excited to see how his story was told in this article.
Cpl. Jack Whitworth celebrating Christmas in Korea. Like Us On
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