A solider, Christmas, and Jesus

FAOL Community Sound Off
1

Most of you might have seen this before, but it always puts a lump in my throat,

Ann and I would always bring home any of the single guys from my unit that could not get home or did not have any one to go home to, always gave them their own stocking.

I am truly going to miss that, this and every year.

Damn screen is getting blurry Please read and MERRY CHRISTMAS, and HAVE A HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR

HE IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

The Night Before Christmas

T’was 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 I did see,
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree.

No stocking by the 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 Canadian 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.’

This poem was written by a peace keeping soldier stationed overseas.

2

Here is another Ray,

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 eyes 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 said ’ It’s really alright,
I’m out here by choice, I’m here everynight’.

‘It’s 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 awhile,
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 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 fox hole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother…

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time this flag will not fall.
So go back inside and harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I’ll be alright.

‘But isn’t there something I can do at the least,
Give you money I asked, or prepare you a feast ?
It seems all to 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.
It’s payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.’

3

Excuse me while I dry my eyes. Thank you both for sharing.
Elkhunter…As a 'Nam vet, yours really touched me.
Mike

4

Mike I can read these poems over and over and I get choked up everytime. And thank you for your service to this country of ours.

Rocky

5

Darn It!! I don’t have any kleenex in the controlroom, just paper towels… and they are rough on the eyes and nose!

Thank you guys for these reminders, I tried to join in “70” but knee history and bad eyes said no for me at eighteen.

Thank you from the deepest part of my heart to all who have served and are serving to keep us free.

6

Ray, my wife and I had a few soldiers over for Christmas during our 30 years in the Army. I know exactly how you feel.

I also know how many of our deployed soldier feel, especially on Christmas eve. I was the only American on an ARVN firebase near Dong Ha on Christmas eve of 1970. I had a shot of brandy to celebrate. Then I layed back on my cot with tears in my eyes and thanked God that my young wife and infant daughter were safe and sound at home. I guess that’s one thing that kept us going during those time.

GOD bless our marvelous troops and give them comfort. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah everyone.

P.S.: Thanks for the poems

7

And GOD bless you , jcambell.