A little late for this year, though there could be other uses for this one. Stash it away for next holiday season if nothing else.
Sending Off The Troops
By John Cosper
CHARACTERS
Hal and Marge - Married couple
Jim and Carolyn - Married couple
Steve and Sue - Married couple
Jeff - A friend
Joyce - Another friend
NOTE: This sketch is in no way intended to be disrespectful to our armed forces. It's a parody of the madness and insanity that society has come to accept as part of the holidays - Black Friday shopping. Nothing more.
Somber, touching music plays. Hal, Carolyn, Jeff, and Sue wait anxiously in a nice living room. In a touching moment, Marge and Jim enter. Hal and Carolyn greet their spouses warmly. More hugs are exchanged. Then Steve enters.
STEVE: The car's here. Time to say goodbye.
Sue hugs Steve.
SUE: Come home to me.
STEVE: I will.
CAROLYN: (tears in her eyes) I can't believe it's time. What if you get hurt? Or, what if something worse happens?
JIM: Nothing's going to happen. We're coming home. All of us.
HAL: Come on. Let's send these warriors off the way they deserve.
Everyone takes a knee. Hal begins to pray.
HAL: God, here we go again. Once more, these precious few have been called to leave the security of family and home to venture out into the fray. We ask that your hand will be on these proud, these few, these special people we call Marge, Steve, and Jim as they will brave bitter cold and hostile enemies. Be with them Lord as they do battle in the trenches. Guide their steps as they walk treacherous ground. Shield them as they will no doubt be assaulted on all sides by those who would do them harm.
Joyce enters. She sees the prayer circle and tiptoes. Jeff sees her, walks over.
HAL: Protect them from the enemy, and let not one of these brave soldiers come to harm.
JOYCE: (stage whisper) Are we praying?
JEFF: (whispers back) Shh. We're sending off the troops.
Joyce joins hands with Jeff where they stand.
HAL: Lord, put your hand of protection on Steve, on Jim, and on my darling Marge. Lord for them, for us, and for the children, we pray not just for safety, but for victory. Swift, and certain!
JOYCE: Are they all in the military?
JEFF: They're not.
HAL: Lord, let these three keep their objectives in plain sight, and let no one stand in their way.
JOYCE: If they're not in the military, where are--
JEFF: Shhh!
HAL: Lord bring them home safe, with everything on their lists, because we know that we can't possibly celebrate the birth of your son unless every Christmas wish is filled. And all God's people said--
ALL EXCEPT JOYCE: A-men!
The brave shoppers are once again embraced by their loved ones.
JOYCE: Oh yeah, I forgot. Black Friday.
Posted by: |