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'Twas the night before Christmas,
He lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house
Made out of
plaster and stone.
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I had come down the chimney
With presents to give,
And to see just who
In this home did
live.
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I looked all about,
A strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree.
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No stocking by mantle,
Just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures
Of far distant
lands.
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With medals and badges,
Awards of all kinds,
A sober thought
Came through my mind.
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For this house was different,
It was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
Once
I could see clearly.
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The soldier lay sleeping,
Silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor
In this one bedroom home.
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The face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured
A United States soldier.
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Was this the hero
Of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
The floor for a bed?
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I realized the families
That I saw this night,
Owed their lives to these soldiers
That
were willing to fight.
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Soon round the world,
The children would play,
And grownups would celebrate
A bright Christmas
Day.
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They all enjoyed freedom
Each month of the year,
Because of the soldiers,
Like the one
lying there.
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I couldn't help wonder
How many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve
In a land far from home.
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The very thought
Brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees
And started to cry.
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The soldier awakened
And I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
This life is my choice;"
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"I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
My life is my God,
My Country, my Corps."
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The soldier rolled over
And drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.
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I kept watch for hours
So silent and still
And we both shivered
From the cold night's chill.
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I didn't want to leave
On that cold, dark, night,
This guardian of honor
So willing to
fight.
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Then the soldier rolled over,
With a voice soft and pure,
Whispered, "Carry on Santa,
It's
Christmas Day, all is secure."
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One look at my watch,
And I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend,
And to all a
good night.
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Written by a Marine stationed at
Okinawa, Japan
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Let's remember our soldiers so far from home this Christmas. For information on how you can help
them this year, visit
Support Our Soldiers.
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~May all our soldiers be protected~
~By this Christmas Angel~
~God Bless You all~
~And keep
you safe~
~Christmas 1999~
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