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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."

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!

Amen! and God bless them wherever and everywhere they may be.

I read your Soldier's Christmas aloud for my family and in-laws this afternoon. I brought tears to most every one. I had a hard time getting through it myself. Deathwish (DWWG), journeyman distiller, who is my computer phobic friend, has a brother in Afghanistan today. He is currently living in a cave with his platoon. We miss him a lot and will be glad when his current assignment is over. Your poem reminded us of how much we have at home and it is all due o the sacrifice of these men and women that are out fighting our battles for us so we can be comfortable at home with our children tomorrow and on the 25th. If and when Danny is able to come home he will be enjoying some DWWG and we have on premium oak just for him. Deathwish(Matthew) has seen to it.


The higher power, to which each of us turn in our time of need and comfort, whatever your name is, you know what you are, bless everyone with good fortune and health in the coming year.

may god bless

I'm thinking of my own 2 boys that are over seas.

Thank you Husker for the wonder poems.

Amen Husker.

Thanks.

AMEN AND GOD SPEED HOME!! And well said Pint-O-Shine! Now,if i just had a saluting emoticon!