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 Marine.~

The Marine 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 Marine.

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 Marines 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 Marines, 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 Marine 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 Marine 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 a cold nights chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark, night,
This Guardian of Honor~~
Then the Marine rolled over,
With a voice soft and pure, whispered,
"Carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure."



This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan.
The following is his request.

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.

~NATURE'S EMBRACE~ HOME I Know Something Good About You~~ If I Knew~~ The Connection~~ Gentleness~~ Solace~~ I Believe in Miracles~~ Please See Me Thru My Tears~~ Email
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