A Soldiers Christmas Poem

The Night Before 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 to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight did 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 of 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?

His head was clean shaven, his face weathered 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.

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.

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.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,

"Santa, don't cry. This is my choice.

I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.

My life is my God, my Country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep.

I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

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.

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.

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."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right.

Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi, and goodnight

 

This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan.
Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to all of 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.


A lot of our service men & women will be away again this year for christmas doing what needs to be be done to protect our freedoms. It would be nice if everybody would try to stop for a minute over the holidays and say a prayer for our service people and wish them a safe return.

Thank You and Happy Holidays!!!!!