 |
Christmas.
The holiday of good cheer and lights. The morning of presents under a tree, wrapped and ready to be opened. It’s the one day when most everything business-related comes to a screeching halt and people can just relax. For millions of people, it’s the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who is easily the most influential person that ever walked the planet. We sing Silent Night and, for a day (and night), many folks actually do sleep in heavenly peace.
For the Alamo Scouts, December 25, 1944 was a day of peace. The Scouts had been formed in November of the previous year and operated in the Southwest Pacific Theater, primarily around the Philippines. As you might expect from the group’s name, their job involved reconnaissance and occasional raider activity. And since that first scouting mission to Los Negros, teams had been sent out forty-nine times. And forty-nine times the teams had come back intact – not a single man killed. The most recent mission, conducted by the Sumner Team, had returned on the 21st after forty-seven days in the field.
The men were treated to a lavish meal with all the fixings. Next Christmas, with the war over, the Alamo Scouts would be just a recent memory. But on this day, it was time for thanks and celebration.
Merry Christmas everyone!! Be safe and joyful.
Recommended Reading: Shadows in the Jungle
Today's History Lesson 