Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
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704-484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com Our 40th Year • Issue No. 51 • December 21, 2023 "IN GOD WE TRUST" TWO TWO BIG BIG DAYS! DAYS! Ora Ora SUPER SUPERMARKET MARKET & BROAD RIVER HAMS & BROAD RIVER HAMS ONLY ONLY $ 6 99 99 each each 1026 EAST MARION ST., SHELBY, NC WE ACCEPT EBT, SNAP, FOOD STAMPS, DEBIT 704-487-4377 WWW.ORASUPERMARKET.COM Like Us On Facebook! BACON WRAPPED FILETS BACON WRAPPED FILETS FRIDAY • DECEMBER 29 FRIDAY • DECEMBER 29 TH TH & SATURDAY • DECEMBER 30 & SATURDAY • DECEMBER 30 TH TH HRS: 8AM-6PM MON.-SAT. Over 90 Years! Over 90 Years! Soldiers' Stories: Christmas Away from Home Through the Years In our country's history, brave soldiers have spent Christmas far away from their families dur- ing times of war. For soldiers from World War I to Afghanistan, stay- ing in touch with their families was critical as letters were written and sent to their son or daughter de- ployed. Christmas songs were es- sential 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 trenches of WWI and sang "Stille Nacht." Moments later, a group of British sol- diers respond with the words "Silent Night." Throughout the night, carols were sung back and forth across no man's land. The fol- lowing 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 s i d e s w a n t to cel- e b r a t e Christ- mas. The soldiers ate together and played soccer, and the Germans brought an ever- green tree with candles on it for the celebration. This Christmas truce was made possible by the enlisted men. No general or diplo- mate ordered the Christmas Truce of 1914. Soldiers shared traditions and memories of their families as they heard the words of Silent Night and sang other familiar car- ols. During WWII, the United States had over sixteen million men and women in the military world- wide. Families wrote letters and sent packages to military personnel from Europe to the South Pacific. The Armed Forces mail system encouraged families to ship by October 15 to be sure it arrived by Christmas. Let me share a story about my Dad and his experience with the mail. Radarman Third Class William Weller was in the US Navy aboard the USS Starr somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. He was married and had two daughters at the time, who were six and four years old. The girls decided to send sugar cookies to him as a Christmas gift. They used popcorn to help protect the cook- ies. In March 1945, they got a let- ter from their Dad stating that all the sailors on his watch enjoyed the cinnamon sugar popcorn they had sent as a gift. Bing Crosby was singing the song "I'll Be Home for Christmas," describing a soldier far from home thinking about what they remem- ber each Christmas. "Please have snow and mistletoe and presents by the tree." The USO reported it was the most requested song on the radio overseas. Woody Weaver, an Air Force veteran of 23 years, shared his story of Christmas by showing a postcard that his father, who See SOLDIERS, Page 10 Cpl. Jack Whitworth celebrating Christmas in Korea. A combat ready Santa encourages families to Send Parcels Early. Radar Third Class, William Weller, US Navy, WWII. Marines volunteering to help Santa (l to r) Mat- thew Talbot, Patrick Tiernan, Jr, and Brad Ham- let stationed in Husaybah, Iraq. 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. Our Offi ce Will Be Closed Fri. & Mon., Dec. 22 & 25