’Twas the night before
Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom home made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney
with presents to give,
And to see just whom in this house 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 a far distant land.
Medals and badges, and awards
of all kinds,
And a sober thought came into my mind.
For this house was different,
it was dark and small.
I had found the home of a soldier, that’s all.
The soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the
room in 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 enjoyed freedom each
month of the year,
Because of the soldiers, like the one laying here.
I couldn’t 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 is the life of 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 and continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so
silent and still,
And we both shivered from the cold winter’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,
whispered with a voice soft and pure,
“Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day and all is secure.”
One look at my watch and I
knew he was right.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
This poem was written by a
Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. he following
is his request. I think it is reasonable.......
PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as
you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S.
service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for
us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.
This page is dedicated to Ben, James,
Ronnie, Pop and Dad
Graphics by
Razzy Tazz
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