[MustangMatt96GT]

Different Christmas Poem

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 he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.
So that your family can sleep without fright.
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 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 sister and brother.

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure 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."

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 sacrifice themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction
Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq



I found this on another forum, and would like to pass it on!

[Tony_90fox]

Great post!

[Hourofpain]

sticky itttt

[7-up man]

words can not express the admiration I feel for our men and women in uniform.

God bless them each and every one.

Thank you for volunteering to do a job so awful so I can be at home, in my comfortable surroundings, with my wife and kids.

you guys simply rock.

[TurboLX]

Great Read!

[tsp_2177]

great find man

[HMUSN]

one more for ya.. Good post man..

Christmas Poem

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 is 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 grown-ups 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."

[medic_chris85]

Yeah that email had made its way around here in good ol baghdad The worst part about being here is missing family, friends, and of course my car .

[TurboLX]

Stay Safe Man

[tsp_2177]

Originally Posted by TurboLX Stay Safe Man

+1 and thanks for serving man!

[TheUNZippee!]

All men and women serving have my utmost respect.

Live Free Or Die.

RESPECT.

RESPECT.

And it's my opinion that this thread should have FAR more views than it does.

[bheet]

Great poem, suprised I havent seen it yet. Just came back from Al Taqqadum, was there with the Seabees.

[WAR-PARTY]

A Mother asked President...
"Why did my son have to die in Iraq ?"


A mother asked President...
"Why did my son have to die in Saudi Arabia ?"


A mother asked President...
"Why did my son have to die in Kuwait?"


Another mother asked President...
"Why did my son have to die in Vietnam?"


Another mother asked President...
"Why did my son have to die in Korea?"


Another mother asked President...
"Why did my son have to die on Iwo Jima?"


Another mother asked President...
"Why did my son have to die on a battlefield on a field in France?"


Yet another mother asked President...
"Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"


And yet another mother asked President...
"Why did my son have to die on a frozen field near Valley Forge?"






Then long, long ago, a mother asked...
"Heavenly Father ...
why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"


The answer is the same...
"So that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness, and
freedom."

This was emailed to me with no author.
I thought the magnitude and the simplicity were awesome.


IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO STAND BEHIND
OUR TROOPS, PLEASE, PLEASE, FEEL FREE
TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM !!!

[Drick]

WP I like that quote at the bottom so much I put it in my sig

[Onemanzu]

[Ninjawafers!]

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well of ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. -John F. Kennedy

[bone_crusher]

You take a warm shower to help you wake up. He goes days or weeks without running water.

You complain of a "headache", and call in sick. He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends. He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

You make sure your cell phone is in your pocket. He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash a bout your "buddies" that aren't with you. He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls. He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

You complain about how hot it is. He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong. He doesn't get to eat today.

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes. He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair done. He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over. He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight. He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday. He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries. He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything. He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him. He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.

You see only what the media wants you to see. He sees the broken bodies lying around him.

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't. He does exactly what he is told.

You stay at home and watch TV. He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable. He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.

You sit there and judge him, saying the world is probably a worse place because of men like him. If only there were more men like him

[riceburnin03]

thats a good read if you dont stand behind the troops feel free to stand in front of them ive been in the usmc for 5yrs best job in world

[MustangMatt96GT]

Originally Posted by bone_crusher You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything. He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting. You see only what the media wants you to see. He sees the broken bodies lying around him.

Best lines ever right there!

[00vabchgt]

great post. here's some pics to back it up...