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'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
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 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 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;
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 we both
shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't 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, 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."
~Author Unknown~
 
  
  
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