I got this in an email this morning, thought you might enjoy it A Soldier's Christmas '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 had to see just who in this home did live. I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, No tinsel, No Presents, Not even a tree. No stocking by the mantle, just boots full of sand. On the wall hung pictures, of a distant land. With Medals and Badges, Awards of all kinds, A sober thought, came to 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 his 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 where willing to fight. Soon around the world, children would play, And grownups would celebrate, a bright Christmas day. They enjoyed Freedom, each month of the year, Because of these 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 soon 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. Happy Holidays from VetFriends.com - -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard --
Ah but do you know the rest of the story. This poem was originally written back in 1986 by a Marine stationed at 8th and I. It has been changed over the years and it's authorship credited to soldiers, sailors or airmen. But here's the real story. Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone. I had come down the chimney, with presents to give and to see just who in this home did live As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand. On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land. With medals and badges, awards of all kind, a sobering thought soon came to my mind. For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen. This was the home of a U.S. Marine. I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more, so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone, Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home. He seemed so gentle, his face so serene, Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine. Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read? Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed? [COLOR=black] [B]His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan. I soon understood, this was more than a man. For I realized the families that I saw that night, owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight. [/B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black] [B]Soon around the Nation, the children would play, And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year, because of Marines like this one lying here. [/B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black] [B]I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home. Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye. I dropped to my knees and I started to cry. [/B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black] [B]He must have awoken, for 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." [/B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black] [B]With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep. [/B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black] [B]I watched him for hours, so silent and still. I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill. So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, and covered this Marine from his toes to his head. [/B] [B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black]Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold, with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold. And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black]I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure, said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure." [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black]Now for those that might doubt the veracity of my post. Here's the Snopes link to back me up. [url=http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/soldier.asp]snopes.com: The Soldier's Night Before Christmas[/url] [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B] [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
Gotta agree with Krystal here, either way its a great tribute to our men and women in-arms (or supporting those in arms) around the world. Army, Marine, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard (ticks me off to no end when the CG is "forgotten" as a branch of the military)...:S! to you all.
Awesome Poem. If it made Santa cry, you know it made me cry. God Bless You All and Thank you for my families freedom.
