A Soldiers Christmas Poem!!

[Dantheman62]

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.
>
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 FOR 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 Marine.
>
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

[Dantheman62]

I just want to add that it doesn't matter if you believe in the cause, or war, or any of that stuff, I just thought it was a cool poem from a soldier. I put it in Avalon- General Discussion to get the most views, hopefully.

[pyrangello]

Thank you very much for the message, yes indeed all do want to come home and whatever your view may be , there is still one undeniable message that the armed forces of the U.S spread and that is one of compassion , peace and charity. There are so many groups here sending well wishes to all our troops abroad but also Americans here young and old collecting toys and putting together santas bags for other children around the world where our U.S. troops are stationed. Not to mention all the adopted pets that have been orphaned and brought back here. I still believe 90% of the people on this earth are truly good people and yes the land of the free is entrenched deep in out hearts and for others to experience as well. Merry Christmas to everyone around the world and a Safe and Healthy New Year.

[Dantheman62]

Thanks pyrangello, and you are so right!

[Dantheman62]

Bump

[Humble Janitor]

It's interesting but I don't believe in the idea of "freedom isn't free". Freedom is free and well and the only way to achieve it is to break free of the military-industrial complex.