A Soldiers Christmas

[Guest]

I liked this, A LOT!! Thought that I would share.

A Soldier's Christmas

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.

Michael Marks

December 7th, 2000

[email protected]

[Guest]

Remember the soldiers that cannot be home for Chritsmas, if each of us does just one thing for a soldier this Christmas, they will have a WONDERFUL Christmas.

Remember, there are far more of us, then there are of them.

I don't care what country you are from, or how big or how small your army/navy/marines/airforce are. Remember them, and do something, send a care package, write an e-mail, or just write an honest god on paper letter, wow, what a concept.

Remember them, they are out there for you!!

And here, I'll make it easy for you!!

Any Servicemember, Holiday Wishes From home.

This is of course for US soldiers. So do it Commanders!!! You have no excuse, NOW!!

[ 12-20-2001: Message edited by: Jaguar ]

[Guest]

I can't believe NO ONE responded to this thread. I am shocked and amazed, wow.

[Guest Remo Williams]

Sorry Jaguar I just found this thread. Thanks for sharing the link I'm on it.

[Guest $iLk]

I read it and went... didn't know you wanted me to tell you.. sorry

[Charles Lindsey]

Stupid things like this always get me teary eyed.

This one seems a variation on another or perhaps it is the same and I'm just not remembering well.

Already did the "email an American Soldier" thing a while back but it's bookmarked at work. Looks like the same one.

[Charles Lindsey]

Anyone up for more tears?

A Chance Encounter

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the tent,

Not a creature was stirring, not even an ant.

No stockings were hung, no cups full of cheer,

Just cots in a line, bracketed by chairs.

Somewhere in the distance there was music and life,

Hank Jr. was singing "A Country Boy Can Survive."

One lonely figure rolled over and sighed,

His dreams filled with family, hopes, and this lonely night.

The tent flap zipped and who should appear,

An old warhorse for certain, just minus his beard.

His voice was muffled, soft and meek,

He shuffled quietly, so that others might sleep.

He looked too tired, from the time spent alone.

Shoulders slumped slightly, many hours to atone.

Although surrounded by evidence of humanity,

His thoughts were pure and only of Home.

With eagle eyes he surveyed all in his view,

His flashlight his protection from what hid in the dark.

The lounge chair beckoned him to lightening his load.

Coffee was ready, His cherished favorite brew.

His gaze fell upon me and a smile of long ago appeared,

Time reversed itself and spun back 40 years.

He reached in his pocket and pulled out the evening treat,

Cookies from the dining hall, Chocolate so sweet.

"Good evening Santa, these offerings are for you,"

"To keep you warm, take my cup of Joe."

"We all here know you, with us you are secure,"

"Your memory is with us, eternal and endeared."

"Think not sadly of us, for we do this by choice,"

"We work in unison, single action and voice."

"Our crews fly willingly, go up every night,"

"We stand ready, where ever the fight."

"We sacrifice ourselves without question,"

"No reason given, no quarter asked or taken".

"Our Families are paramount, Our children and Wives,"

"It's for them we do this, Santa you must realize."

"Sir, your duty calls, the stars you must catch,"

"You've a long way to travel before the break of day."

"Your skies will be clear, AWACS stands watch,"

"Our Ghosts are out tonight, on your wing they'll stay."

"Speed west, if you would Sir, America lies sleeping,"

"The Lady In The Harbor and her beacon await."

"Though her surroundings have changed, her meaning is still clear."

"She preserves your memory, and of Christmas Cheer."

He slumped in his chair, his breathing eased with sleep,

Childhood dreams of tin soldiers, cowboys, and the rest.

Of Home that he had long forgotten, innocence he did keep,

Once again he was a cowboy, a fireman, where in his dreams he was the best.

Quietly I left him, deftly zipping closed the tent flap.

These proud Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of Camp Justice I mark on my map.

I salute each and every inhabitant of this Enclave of the Truth's Light,

Merry Christmas Ghost Riders and Support Staff, And To ALL a Good Night.

Written by Rattler, Undetermined Location, December 19, 2001