Merry Christmas
Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2002 8:25 am
Merry Christmas everyone. I was executing my daily perusal of the Military Horse site and it struck me that these were very festive days in the life of the old "horse" posts, whatever era. From what I can gleen, the day was a rather light one, spent mainly cleaning, getting ready for those "hops" scheduled for the evening. There was lots of social interaction on the old posts, and everyone wanted to have the best area, so there was lots of competitive spirit in cleaning and decorating. The mess halls were decorated with lots of natural evergreen garlands etc. and the eating china was exceptionally clean. The cooks were already preparing for the huge Christmas spread put on at most troop messes. Invitations had been sent out for guests from the nearby towns to join the various companies for the celebratory dinner. If they were lucky, they were invited to the post for the Christmas eve hops and then to spend the night on post. There might be an evening concert if one was lucky enough to be posted at a site with the regimental band. And there was always the visitation between the units of both the enlisted and the officers' families, of course dressed to the nines. There were church services to attend as well.
Of course, Christmas Day was a free day to those that were lucky enough not to be on duty for guard mount, staff, etc. The families stayed in and enjoyed the presents they were fortunate enough to obtain at sometimes distant posts and then sometime in midmorning the real "visiting" would commence. The quarters areas would come alive with families going from quarters to quarters wishing good cheer and glad tidings. Wives had prepared sweets and finger foods for guests and the social etiquette of the various times was very much observed. The observances weren't just for the officer class either. The enlisted men took pride in preparing Christmas offerings and troop funds were freely used for the season. The men were proud to be able to offer the officer class a high social atmosphere in their areas.
The company Christmas dinners were something to talk of for some time. The men had taken their troop funds and purchased the delicate rarities of the day to offer up for the dinner. Hams, turkeys, huge roast beefs sat alongside venison, elk, and wild hog roasts. The Christmas dinners were such an event that soon the practice of having prepared invitations listing the day's fare and the names of the all the company personnel came about and continued for decades. And of course the dinner itself could be a little formal, beginning with the recognition of guests and then the toasting of the regiment, the President, the troop, and so on.
The day's festivities usually ended in competitive sports games between the companies of the post or visiting teams, or again musical concerts and other planned events.
Quite a tradition was developed on the various posts that was observed for many a year. Were those better times than we observe today? Maybe. I guess it is up to each of us to decide whether we need to redevelop some of those traditions, but most of all, remember why there is a Christmas to start with.
With best wishes,
Rick Throckmorton
Of course, Christmas Day was a free day to those that were lucky enough not to be on duty for guard mount, staff, etc. The families stayed in and enjoyed the presents they were fortunate enough to obtain at sometimes distant posts and then sometime in midmorning the real "visiting" would commence. The quarters areas would come alive with families going from quarters to quarters wishing good cheer and glad tidings. Wives had prepared sweets and finger foods for guests and the social etiquette of the various times was very much observed. The observances weren't just for the officer class either. The enlisted men took pride in preparing Christmas offerings and troop funds were freely used for the season. The men were proud to be able to offer the officer class a high social atmosphere in their areas.
The company Christmas dinners were something to talk of for some time. The men had taken their troop funds and purchased the delicate rarities of the day to offer up for the dinner. Hams, turkeys, huge roast beefs sat alongside venison, elk, and wild hog roasts. The Christmas dinners were such an event that soon the practice of having prepared invitations listing the day's fare and the names of the all the company personnel came about and continued for decades. And of course the dinner itself could be a little formal, beginning with the recognition of guests and then the toasting of the regiment, the President, the troop, and so on.
The day's festivities usually ended in competitive sports games between the companies of the post or visiting teams, or again musical concerts and other planned events.
Quite a tradition was developed on the various posts that was observed for many a year. Were those better times than we observe today? Maybe. I guess it is up to each of us to decide whether we need to redevelop some of those traditions, but most of all, remember why there is a Christmas to start with.
With best wishes,
Rick Throckmorton
