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A Soldiers Christmas
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'
Thomas Vormwald
SGT. USMC
The
above article is reprinted with permission from:
The Empire State Marine
Number 16, December 2000
P.O.Box 3058
Schenectady, New York 12303
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