Twas the Night Before Christmas
Twas the Night Before Christmas
by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt
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.
As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand. On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind, a sobering thought soon came to my mind. For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen. This was the home of a U.S. Marine.
I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more, so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone, Curled up on the floor in 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 in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan. I soon understood, this was more than a man. For I realized the families that I saw that night, owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.
Soon around the Nation, the children would play, and grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year, because of Marines like this one lying here.
I couldn't help 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 awoken, for 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."
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 and still. I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill. So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, and covered this Marine from his toes to his head. Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold, with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold. And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, and for one shining moment, I was 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 goodnight."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This poem was written by one of the many brave Marines. 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. Allow people to stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for all of us so we may All be free.
Please, do your small part to plant this small seed for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Honor his wishes and send this URL to your Friends and Colleagues in the Spirit of the Holidays.
You can help show your support at the Keystone Soldiers web site and you will find a great song entitled "Always." It is a wonderful tribute to ALL the soldiers who risk their lives Every Day so we may enjoy our Freedom.
by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt
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.
As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand. On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind, a sobering thought soon came to my mind. For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen. This was the home of a U.S. Marine.
I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more, so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone, Curled up on the floor in 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 in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan. I soon understood, this was more than a man. For I realized the families that I saw that night, owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.
Soon around the Nation, the children would play, and grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year, because of Marines like this one lying here.
I couldn't help 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 awoken, for 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."
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 and still. I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill. So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, and covered this Marine from his toes to his head. Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold, with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold. And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, and for one shining moment, I was 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 goodnight."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This poem was written by one of the many brave Marines. 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. Allow people to stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for all of us so we may All be free.
Please, do your small part to plant this small seed for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Honor his wishes and send this URL to your Friends and Colleagues in the Spirit of the Holidays.
You can help show your support at the Keystone Soldiers web site and you will find a great song entitled "Always." It is a wonderful tribute to ALL the soldiers who risk their lives Every Day so we may enjoy our Freedom.
