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NousDefionsDoc
12-04-2004, 10:59
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 by the 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 soldier,
Once I could see clearly.

The soldier 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 Soldier.

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 soldiers
Who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world,

The children would play,
And grownup 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
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 don't cry,
This life is my choice."

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 we both shivered
From the cold nights chill.

I didn't want to leave
On that cold, dark, night,
This guardian of Honor
So willing to fight.

The soldier rolled over,
With a voice soft and pure,
Whispered, "Carry on Santa,
It's 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."
-----------------------------------------
I know its a little early, but to all those that will be standing watch - Merry Christmas and Thank You

Gypsy
12-04-2004, 13:34
Never can read this without a lump in my throat.

As NDD said, to all those standing watch a big thank you and a Merry Christmas. You will not be forgotten.

CPTAUSRET
12-04-2004, 13:38
Sneaky:

DAMN!

Still wiping away my tears.

Thanks, brother.

God Bless all who serve.

Terry

CPTAUSRET
12-04-2004, 13:46
NDD:

Who is that attributed to?

Terry

NousDefionsDoc
12-04-2004, 13:52
Don't know Cap. There wasn't a source where I found it.

NousDefionsDoc
12-04-2004, 13:54
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/soldier.asp

Here ya go Cap.

CPTAUSRET
12-04-2004, 13:56
Don't know if it's old age, or what, but I just read it again and again I teared up.

Mind if I post it elsewhere?

Terry

NousDefionsDoc
12-04-2004, 14:12
Help yourself. Lo mio es tuyo.

CPTAUSRET
12-04-2004, 14:22
Help yourself. Lo mio es tuyo.

Gracis, mi Hermano.

lrd
12-19-2004, 07:04
If you really want to get that speck of dust out of your eye, listen to this:

http://www.wlit.com/onair/audio/soldierssilentnight.mp3

(courtesy of Blackfive.net)

Edited to add credit info:

The poem was recorded as a tribute by Father Ted Berndt, a former Marine and Purple Heart recipient during World War II, currently residing in Dousman, Wisconsin for his daughter Ellen Stout, a Clear Channel radio personality.

Marvin Blank
12-19-2004, 22:12
Mods and Admins,
Sorry if this is not the right place to post this, but this is my first post outside of the introductions thread. Feel free to move it to somewhere more appropriate if you want.
I thought this went along with the spirit of the thread. You should make sure you have sound on when you play it.
Thanks again to all who serve(d). Merry Christmas.



http://www.clermontyellow.accountsupport.com/flash/UntilThen.swf

Kyobanim
12-20-2004, 06:38
Thanks for that Marvin.

NousDefionsDoc
12-20-2004, 09:59
Fine presentation there Marvin. Fine.

No need to apologize for posting, you'll be counseled if you mess up. Relax a little.

Trip_Wire (RIP)
12-20-2004, 13:48
To go along with the thoughts!

NousDefionsDoc
12-20-2004, 13:53
Great pic!

Surgicalcric
12-20-2005, 23:26
To all my Brothers and Sisters, both forward deployed and here at home. Stay safe, Merry Christmas, and God Bless. May God bring you peace and happiness in knowing you are doing whats right regardless of the left.

Thankful to be a soldier.

Crip

Pete
12-21-2005, 06:53
To all my Brothers and Sisters, both forward deployed and here at home. Stay safe, Merry Christmas, and God Bless. May God bring you peace and happiness in knowing you are doing whats right regardless of the left.

Thankful to be a soldier.

Crip


Or worthy of a BTB to all our service friends around the word.

While service members miss most of the important events of a family and holidays during a given year I think it's Christmas that tugs on the heart the most.

In my day in the barracks the duty rooster was adjusted at Christmas time. The barracks rats who didn't blow out of town pulled duty on the Christmas Holiday while the married guys pulled it on New Years. Seemed to work well.

I ate many a holiday meal in the Mess Hall, excuse me, Dining Facility, and my hat is off to all those who work there for giving the service member a taste of home during the Holidays.

There are a lot of hard jobs in the Army behind the tip of the spear. All need doing, and doing well.

Pete

Peregrino
12-21-2005, 15:07
Or worthy of a BTB to all our service friends around the word.

While service members miss most of the important events of a family and holidays during a given year I think it's Christmas that tugs on the heart the most.

In my day in the barracks the duty rooster was adjusted at Christmas time. The barracks rats who didn't blow out of town pulled duty on the Christmas Holiday while the married guys pulled it on New Years. Seemed to work well.

I ate many a holiday meal in the Mess Hall, excuse me, Dining Facility, and my hat is off to all those who work there for giving the service member a taste of home during the Holidays.

There are a lot of hard jobs in the Army behind the tip of the spear. All need doing, and doing well.

Pete

Amen Brother. I remember the same things (with varying degrees of fondness) and could not have said it better. Peregrino