A Soldier's Christmas

[KevinP73]

A Soldier's Christmas
written by a Marine

Twas the night before Christmas,
He lived all alone ,
In a one-bedroom house made of
Plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney
With presents to give,
And to see just who
In this home did live.

I looked all about,
A strange sight did I see,
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle,
Just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures
Of far distant lands.

With medals and badges,
Awards of all kinds,
A sober thought
Came through my mind.

For this house was different,
It was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
Once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,
Silent, alone ,
Curled up on the floor
In this one-bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured
A United States Soldier.

Was this the hero
Of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
The floor for a bed?

I realized the families
That I saw this night,
Owed their lives to these soldiers
Who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world,
The children would play,
And grownups would celebrate
A bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom,
Each month of the year,
Because of the soldiers,
Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder,
How many lay alone ,
On a cold Christmas eve,
In a land far from home.

The very thought,
Brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees,
And started to cry.

The soldier awakened,
And I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
This life is my choice;

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
My life is my God,
My Country, my Corps."

The soldier rolled over,
And drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
So silent and still,
And we both shivered,
From the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave,
On that cold, dark night,
This guardian of honor,
So willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over,
With a voice soft and pure,
Whispered, "carry on Santa ,
It's Christmas day, all is secure ."

One look at my watch,
And I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend,
And to all a good night."

[KevinP73]

Remember Them

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the
room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, my daughter beside me,
angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to
a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe, Completed the magic
that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded
by love I would sleep in perfect contentment, or so it would seem.
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eye
when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of
footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, and I crept to the door
just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure
stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old perhaps a Marine,
huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, standing watch over me,
and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear "Come in this moment,
it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, you should be
at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, away from the cold and the
snow blown in drifts, to the window that danced with a warm fire's
light then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here
by choice. I'm here every night"

"Its my duty to stand at the front of the line, that separates you
from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam and now it is my turn
and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while, but my wife sends me
pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, the red white and
blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone, away from my
family, my house and my home,

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep
in a foxhole with little to eat,

I can carry the weight of killing another or lay down my life with
my sisters and brothers who stand at the front against any and all,
to insure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright Your family is
waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money,"
I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away
from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you
love us, and never forget to fight for our rights back at home while
we're gone. To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead, to know you remember
we fought and we bled is payment enough, and with that we will trust.
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

God Bless them and God Bless America!

Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season
from the Military-Brats Registry

[widgeon13]

Amen!!

[Oh Haha]

Amen.
Merry Christmas to all of our soldiers, wherever they may be.

[Don Ro]

Man, those are chokers.
God bless and keep our brave soldiers safe.

[rcecale]

Kevin,

Thanks for the posts, buddy! Our young men and women, and even the old ones, deserve our thanks and prayers, each and every day. It's because of them we live and enjoy our freedoms.

Was heading to the store today and started the car just in time to hear Paul Harvey reciting your version of "The Night Before Christmas" I' ve read it many times, but to hear it recited was more touching than ever.

Merry Christmas!

Randy
(The Good Randy of the East)

[Mulhollanddose]

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, my daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to
a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep in perfect contentment, or so it would seem. So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eye when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, and I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old perhaps a Marine,
huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, standing watch over me, and my wife and my child. "What are you doing?" I asked without fear "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, you should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts, to the window that danced with a warm fire's light then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." Its my duty to stand at the front of the line, that separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December," then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam and now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, but my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, the red white and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone, away from my
family, my house and my home, I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat, I can carry the weight of killing another or lay down my life with
my sisters and brothers who stand at the front against any and all, to insure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright Your family is
waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son." Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget to fight for our rights back at home while we're gone. To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead, to know you remember we fought and we bled is payment enough, and with that we will trust. That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

God Bless them and God Bless America!

[creaturecat]

nice tribute - too bad about the pic of cheney - like putting a turd on top of a wedding cake.

[nostatic]

a prayer of thanks for the Marines in Al Asad. They're helping to keep my best bud safe.

Here's to having them home safe.

[84porsche]

To all the soldiers, past and present, you have my undying gratitude and I wish you and your families all my best during this holiday season. Thank you for the freedoms you have given me and my family.

Thank you Kevin for remembering our armed forces and posting this.

[Mulhollanddose]

Here is a picture of Donald Rumsfeld, honoring the military.

[Mulhollanddose]

"More than 2,000 years ago...mankind received its Savior, and to those who had dwelled in darkness, the light of hope had come. Each Christmas, we celebrate that first coming anew, and we rejoice in the knowledge that the God who came to Earth that night in Bethlehem is with us still and will remain with us forever. Christmas is a season of hope and joy, a time to give thanks for the blessing of Christ's birth and for the blessings that surround us every day of the year....This Christmas, we pray especially for freedom, justice and peace on Earth. We remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and for our freedom, and we ask for God's blessing on their loved ones. We ask God to watch over all of our men and women in uniform. Many are serving in distant lands, helping to advance the cause of freedom and peace. Our entire Nation is grateful to them and prays for their safe return. Laura and I send our best wishes for a blessed and merry Christmas." —President George W. Bush

[Mulhollanddose]

Tribute to troops (warning, includes pictures of Bush)

[Mulhollanddose]

More tribute video!

[DavidI]

Merry Christmas to all, and Semper Fi, David

[Joeaksa]

As well, Merry Christmas to all of those who serve to protect us around the world.

Joe A

[Mulhollanddose]

Canadian troops:

[Mulhollanddose]

[Mulhollanddose]