jtval 0 #1 December 22, 2002 ok I see this posted everyyear...except this year so here it is! 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 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 SOON 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 Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable..... PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to 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.My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 December 22, 2002 Gig'em!--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzdiva 7 #3 December 22, 2002 Thanks JT...I'm gonna forward it to my friend stationed in Bosnia.He'll appreciate it. Just want to wish all the soldiers and their families love and hopefully peace this Christmas. That is cool JT......Thank you too!!"It's not just a daydream if you choose to make it your life..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plummet 0 #4 December 22, 2002 Thanks for the post. My son is spending his pre-second year in the U.S. Army. He is stationed in Germany and this is also his pre-second Christmas away from home. I REALLY appreciate the fact that non-relatives are thinking of those serving their country as well as those who are close. I e-mailed this to my father who also served. In advance, he thanks you, too. BTW, I spent 6 Christmases in the Army. I know how it feels. Peace (through strength), Jeff.-Jeff. http://www.iplummet.com Common sense and common courtesy are NOT common. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #5 December 22, 2002 Yup this'll be my 6th in the Air force! nothing like not having anyone around!moving around a lot is Great, but sometimes Its good to be with friends and Family! My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
outofit 0 #6 December 22, 2002 cyber saluting! nice It is better to be dead and cool than alive and uncool! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #7 December 22, 2002 Quote cyber saluting! nice ta hell with saluting,Get me a beer, Man!actuallY i got one,,,get yourself one and lets chill!My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzdiva 7 #8 December 22, 2002 JT my friend liked the poem. He's been in the service for almost 20 years. If it weren't for guys like him and you...we wouldn't know the meaning of freedom. Thanks for serving so the rest of us can sleep a little easier. Merry X-mas JT!!! Can I drink one with ya?"It's not just a daydream if you choose to make it your life..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
