'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 hung on the mantel,
Just boots filled with sand,
And on the wall hung pictures
Of far distant lands.
With medals and badges,
Awards of all kinds;
A sober thought
Came to my mind.
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.
His face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder,
Not at all 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 his bed?
I realize the families
That I saw this night,
Owed their lives to these soldiers
Who were willing to fight.
Soon all around 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 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,
It brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees,
And I 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 both of us shivered
From the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave,
on the cold, dark night,
This guardian of honor
So willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over,
And with a voice soft and pure, whispered
"Carry on Santa, it's Christmas,
All is secure."
One look at my watch,
And I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas, my friend -
And to all a Good Night!
~ Author Unidentified ~
ADDENDUM
To all our fighting men and women ~ past, present and future ...