A Soldiers Christmas

[thedrifter]

This has been around but felt it most fitting now.........



By a Marine on Okinawa, Japan


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 had 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 full of sand.
On the wall hung pictures, of a distant land.
With Medals and Badges, Awards of all kinds,
A sober thought, came to mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a Marine, Once I could see clearly.
The Soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor, In his 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 Id 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 where willing to fight.

Soon around the world, children would play,
And grownups would celebrate, a bright Christmas day.
They enjoyed Freedom, each month of the year,
Because of these soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldnt 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 dont cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for Freedom, I dont ask for more,
My life is my God, My Country, My Corps."

The soldier rolled over, and soon drifted to sleep.
I couldnt control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, So silent and still
And we both shivered from the cold nights chill.

I didnt 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. Its 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.'

Please send this message out to as many people as you know.

Christmas is coming, and some credit is due to our U.S. Service Men and Women serving Overseas who cannot be with their loved ones this Holiday Season.
Thank You and,

Semper Fidelis - 'Always Faithful to God, Country, Family and Corps'

[thedrifter]

We tend to fly our flag on 4th of July, we tend to fly our flag on Veteran's Day......maybe this year, through your web-site, you could maybe "ask" the American people to put a small American Flag on their Christmas Tree, amongst their ornaments, (or within their own religious ceremony/custom) just to "remember." A small reminder that "we" are free to celebrate whatever holiday, however we please, because of that flag and what She represents.


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 and my corps."

and with all due respects to the Major, I add.....

America, my country-men,

Our flag is our life.....

We've accepted your ancestors

Through struggle, through strife...

We've come a long way,

Yes, a long way to go....

But we're out here defending,

The life that you know.

What you believe,

Is not my concern,

I carry my weapon.....

American learns....

I'm proud to serve you,

Wherever I'm sent,

For you are Americans...

From Allah to Lent....

And so my dear county-men,

I ask of you this...

Display Our flag,

And remember our bliss....

For I am out "here"

On this Christmas Day....

And I want you proud...

.......LONG MAY SHE WAVE.....



Sempers,


Roger

[thedrifter]

Belleau Wood

Oh, the snowflakes fell in silence
over Belleau Wood that night
For a Christmas truce had been declared

By both sides of the fight
As we lay there in our trenches
The silence broke in two
By a German soldier singing
A song that we all knew

Though I did not know the language
The song was "Silent Night"
Then I heard my buddy whisper,
"All is calm and all is bright"
Then the fear and doubt surrounded me
"Cause I'd die if I was wrong
But I stood up in my trench And

I began to sing along

Then across the frozen battlefield
Anothers voice joined in
Until one by one each man became
A singer of the hymn

Then I thought that I was dreaming
For right there in my sight
Stood the German soldier
'Neath the falling flakes of white
And he raised his hand and smiled at me
As if he seemed to say
Here's hoping we both live
To see us find a better way

Then the devil's clock struck midnight
And the skies lit up again
And the battlefield where heaven stood
Was blown to hell again

But for just one fleeting moment
The answer seemed so clear
Heaven's not beyond the clouds
It's just beyond the fear

No, heaven's not beyond the clouds
It's for us to find it here


The Authors are : Joe Henry and Garth Brooks Copyright 1997


Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

A Marine's Christmas Poem
or
The Night Santa Became A Marine..

There are different versions of this.


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 whom in this house did live.

As I looked all around a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stockings by the fire, just boots full of sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far-away land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
A sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the house of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, so I had to see more.
I walked down the hallway and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping. Silent. Alone.
Curled up on the floor of his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene.
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean shaven, his face weathered tan.
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized families that I had just seen that night
Owed their lives to these men, so willing to fight.

Soon around the nation the children would play
And grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.
They enjoyed freedom each day and all year
Because of Marines like the one lying here.

I couldn't help but wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awakened for I heard a rough voice.
"Santa, Don't cry. This is my choice.
I fight for freedom. I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my Country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep.
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours. So silent. So still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
To cover this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his tee-shirt of scarlet and gold,
With an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.

Although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride.
For one shining moment, I was the Marine Corps deep inside.
I didn't want to leave him, so quiet in the night,
This guardian of honor, so willing to fight.

But, half asleep, he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
Said, "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day - All Secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas, my friend. Semper Fi - and good night!


Sempers,

Roger