And So This Is Christmas

 A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Western New Mexico University Women’s basketball game with friends. As with every local college sporting event, the Vietnam War Vet’s color guard marched out, carrying U.S., New Mexico and military branch flags, solemn and silent and center court during the playing of the national anthem. I am not into the military. I question the real reason behind war. But these vets practically move me to tears every time I see them. They are a good representation of New Mexico soldiers – white guys, Native Americans, the original and true warriors of our nation, and Mexican Americans, who by sheer dumb luck were on the north side of a line arbitrarily drawn by the politicos divvying up land a long time ago. Short haired, long silver ponytailed hair, patches, badges, berets, boots.

One of my new buddies is Leonard, and at 93 ½ years old, is sharp and funny and generous with his single malt whisky. He was at the game too, wheeling his walker over to the corner of the gymnasium and getting a low seat on the bleachers. Leonard is a proud World War II veteran. Jewish; originally from Chicago.  The Viet Nam vets often stop and shake Leonard’s hand and chat after the ceremony as the game gets underway. And at this particular game two weeks ago, as they were leaving, Leonard hollers at them, “See you at the cemetery!” A few of us laughed in surprise. Was Leonard planning an earthly exit and we didn’t know about it? But one of our friends enlightened us. During the upcoming weekend, there was going to be a ceremony at the Fort Bayard Cemetery – the placing of Christmas wreaths at the markers of the soldiers buried there. Leonard was planning to attend. Jewish or not, he was still a soldier and would honor the men and women that went before him.

It doesn’t matter what day it is, or what the weather is like. My dog needs to run. Every morning. Christmas is no exception. So after a gloriously sunny hike on Boston Hill, I decided to drive the ten minutes to the cemetery. It sits on the west side of the old abandoned fort. It is lovingly cared for. I wanted to see the wreaths. And they were there, row upon row. 

Another was at the base of the Buffalo Soldier memorial. 

And in the silence, John Lennon’s/Yoko Ono’s Christmas song popped into my head. When I got home I looked up the lyrics. I had completely forgotten the song title, which is “Happy Xmas (War is Over).” I’m probably breaking some copyright law, but I decided to include the lyrics in this post. Peace to you my friends and family. Happy Holidays.

Happy Xmas (War is Over)

So this is Xmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Xmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Xmas (war is over)
For weak and for strong (if you want it)
For rich and the poor ones (war is over)
The road is so long (if you want it)
And so happy Xmas (war is over)
For black and for white (if you want it)
For yellow and red ones (war is over)
Let's stop all the fight (now)

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Xmas (war is over)
And what have we done (if you want it)
Another year over (war is over)
A new one just begun (if you want it)
And so happy Xmas (war is over)
We hope you have fun (if you want it)
The near and the dear one (war is over)
The old and the young (now)

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

War is over, if you want it
War is over now

Happy Xmas