Do You Ever Wonder What Soldiers Experienced During War on Christmas Day?

During the Revolutionary War, George Washington entered into Valley Forge on December 19, 1777 and as far as conditions, these were probably the roughest that any soldier has ever had to endure.

The soldiers were very poorly-fed, did not have adequate equipment or clothing and were extremely tired from their previous long marches. The cold winds were blowing as the 12,000 Continentals tried weakly to prepare for the fury of the cold blast of Winter. To give you an idea of their suffering, only 1/3 of the soldiers even had shoes and you could track them by their bloody footprints that were left by the marching.

They probably didn't have much to be thankful for at Christmas but God was definitely on their side in the coming months.

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In the Civil War, there was not much time to do anything. Christmas brought time to reflect, write letters home and have a quiet rest. Although there may not have been extra food or supplies, the peace during Christmas created a calm unlike no other.

Although this depiction by Winslow Homer may have been a little exaggerated, the Union Army did have many more supplies than their enemy in the South.

The Confederate life may have been romanticized in movies like "Gone With The Wind", but the North had their share of romanticism. This depiction shows a woman who is pining for her Union love while the soldier is vice-versa deep in thought.

The soldiers in the Confederate Army were so in support of their cause, that they went without many of the creature comforts that were afforded to the Northern Union Army. Most of the factories and companies existed in the North so the supplies were few and far between and many things were homemade.

Christmas for the Confederate Army consisted of the possibility to rest and have a hot meal. If they were extremely short of supply, they may have only received extra hardtack, mule jerky or Sassafras Tea. Many did not receive anything but the extra rest provided and possibly some companionship and good music.

Even with the shortage of supplies to the Confederates, the Southern aristocracy did not limit themselves during festive times.

Most Southerners did not think that they would lose the war and most continued with daily life as if their way of living would perpetuate.

The soldiers paused to eat and celebrate during the Spanish American War.

This is a very rare glimpse of what a celebration during this war looked like.

Along with a festive attitude and goodwill during the Christmas season, peace is rarely seen during wartime.

On Christmas day, 1914, a cease fire and truce was declared. WWI was probably the most hellish and underrated war, due to the trench warfare and the deadly gas that was deployed. In this very rare photo, the Germans and allies were seen conversing and sharing good will. This was said to have occurred during the Civil War but there is no photographic evidence of it.

On Christmas Eve in 1914, German troops began decorating around their area for Christmas. In some locations, Christmas carols rang out and were reciprocated by the other side. There was a story about some playing a game of football against each other and soldiers ventured from one trench to another and greeted others to exchang gifts and souvenirs. The whole truce was not without risk, however,. Some did not take too kindly to the goodwill and continued to kill their enemy. The whole truce lasted throughout the night in many locations and up until New Year's Day in others.

The word of the truce hit home and many magazines depicted the cheer and goodwill. Photos were not available until the troops arrived home and if available, were very rare. In this French depiction, German and British soldiers are shown during the truce

The truce did not exist everywhere and certainly not on every Christmas. In this original photo, the soldiers show their good cheer and celebration in this scarce photo by enjoying some Christmas cake.

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Since World War I was in Europe, some German soldiers found a chance to go home during the holidays. This postcard depiction shows an unexpected Christmas present arriving home for the Frau.

This a side of Christmas during World War II that is little-known.

After the attack at Pearl Harbor in 1941, Japanese Americans were questioned for their loyalty to Japan. If they did not pledge an oath to the United States, they were sent to numerous internment camps throughout the USA. There was one here in Arizona, not far from where I live on a Native American Reservatin.

The camp in this photo was in Minidoka, Idaho and it held Japanese and Japanese Americans from Seattle, Portland, Puyallup Valley and Alaska. This photo shows a dining facility decorated for Christmas.

Although this was a terrible time in history, they found a way to celebrate the Christmas cheer.

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My father, who was in WWII, talked about the Red Cross who served coffee to the troops on the beaches after D-Day.

In this photo, Red Cross volunteers in Australia prepare packages to send to the troops.

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This is a rare photo of wounded in a London hospital during World War II. It is not doubt that the Christmas decorations brought cheer to the soldiers in a depressing time.

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World War II was the first conflict in the USA where there was an overwhelming support from home. Thousands (if not millions) of packages were sent to the loved ones for Christmas. They even found time to bless the soldiers who had no families.

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What better gift for the family during Christmas than to receive their loved one...and a kiss!

In World War II, homecomings were highly romanticized and there are many images of the soldiers kissing their soldier.

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The surroundings are a little more drab than what you saw on M.A.S.H., but with a hot meal & a smile, a perfect way to celebrate Christmas!

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With awful circumstances and no chance for a break, the soldiers find a way to celebrate and also provide a little humor for themselves.

In this photo, they are celebrating by displaying their roles in the defeat of Communism.

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No matter where the soldiers were located, the USO found ways to bring in their cheer during the holidays. If it was only singers or some sort of dancing, it was a welcome break from the sounds of shelling or experiences of war.

I thought this photo was interesting because most soldiers did not get to see big name celebrities but all were entertained in some form or another.

Cherished traditions may have been far from where the soldiers were located, but not far from the soldiers. Hawkeye would be proud, provided he added a little cheer from the Swamp.

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The sight and performance of Raquel Welch would cheer up any situation and make the soldier forget the horrors of war, at least for an hour or two.

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Soldiers celebrating with some cheer during the Christmas holidays in Vietnam.

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The Navy is honored to have visitors from Colorado, College Dancers in 1970s mini skirts from the USO! Hopefully, there wasn't much of a draft (other than the one that brought the soldiers into the war)!

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In the spirit of Christmas, these marines have found a way to celebrate by decorating their helicopter.

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Although I was in Desert Storm, I was not able to make it to this USO show with Bob Hope and Ann Jillian. Bob made it to almost every conflict since World War II and it is fitting to honor him here, near the end of his life and from what I understood, his last visit overseas.

God Bless Bob Hope for all of the joy he gave troops over the years. Whether they were able to take these experiences home with them, or to cheer up, unknown to them, some in their final days on Earth.

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From the Revolutionary War to today, soldiers always find a way to cheer up others in song, no matter where they are stationed.

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As in previous photos with the bomber and helicopter decoration, soldiers find a way to bring in the cheer of Christmas during this Christmas parade in Iraq.

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This package is tiny compared to what is actually received but always welcome!

Merry Christmas to all serving in times of war!

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The description "Christmas in Afghanistan" is something I never thought I would hear in my lifetime.

These soldiers celebrate on December 25.

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This is one of the most beautiful photos of Christmas I have ever seen. If you don't look too closely, this could be taken anywhere, in any church.

God Bless all of you in this blessed time of year and never take for granted the freedom that we have here in the United States because of the veterans and active-duty soldiers all over the world!

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