Post Scripts: Peace on Earth, goodwill to all men

The singing was perhaps the worst I have ever heard but after all it was Christmas in New Guinea (World War II) and war- engaged GI’s found it hard to get in the right frame of mind for carols. But it was sincere – as sincere as the unexpressed wish in each soldier’s heart that this war would soon be over.
Female soldiers and those in the nurse corps who were present helped temper the normal situation in the South Pacific jungles. Perspiration poured off everyone in little rivulets. The tent was stuffy and outside the screened windows were crowded with men, peering through the openings like scolded children not allowed to go out and play.
There was the usual hanging of the green, plus a time for the usual, traditional singing of the Yuletide songs. The traditional Hanging of the Greens that year ended up the hanging of Palm tree branches. At one minute past midnight, hundreds of white and black troopers, plus a bunch of Aussie soldiers, filed into an outdoor theater of sorts.
It was one of those scenes that made cold chills dance up your spine, your flesh tingle and your heart glad, for here under a South Pacific sky, was true Christian Democracy in action. Singing included “Joy to the World,” plus “The Lord’s Prayer” and lots of “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men.”  Chaplain Robert Mause read the scripture, the second time in 24 hours that the words ending with “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All men.” would be heard.
In the middle of the song a horn tooted several times as soldiers snuffed their candles and moved quietly away from the gathering. They had more important duties to perform, even more important than the time of their supplication to offer their God. A Chaplain gave a benediction and reminded us that it was truly Christmas Day. This was the way a lot of us observed Christmas in war-torn New Guinea.
Some soldiers, of course, had to work that day. The surrounding jungle was well guarded and a military police squad stood guard as we consumed a marvelous dinner, considering the circumstances that surrounded us. Those of us who had hung our stockings just to preserve a bit of Christmas, found them full of little gifts, including some of New Guinea’s most disgusting bugs.
Later, there was a bit of music to be heard and most of us managed to enjoy Christmas as best we could without family. I recall we endured only one “fire fight” all day with only a handful of wounded. The tropical rain downpour, however, didn’t recognize Christmas and doused us all good. 
Our chaplain, at a brief service the next day, retold the Christmas story. He suggested all of us to try hard to remember it was a Holy Day and we should try very hard to feel peaceful toward all men. This didn’t go over too well with those present who were there to kill Japanese soldiers and get home in one piece. The day also made us stop and think about the “folks back home” and also the fact we were still alive and well. 
I am not a booster of visits to New Guinea or any other part of the South Pacific, but I’ll never forget when General MacArthur, who greatly enjoyed having his picture taken while wading ashore from a landing craft, misjudged the water’s depth and got wet from his head to his toes. You never got to see those “lost his cool” photos.
I want to wish my faithful readers a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. That’s a sincere wish from Kathy and me!