A SOLDIER'S CHRISTMAS

[burns]

A soldier's Christmas
Body: 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 is 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 grown-ups 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."

remember those who have gone before us to serve, and those who are still serving. when you are wrapped up and cozzy this christmas, say a prayer and include the people tha t won't get home to see their children's shining faces on christmas, or be able to kiss their loved ones one last time... Christmas is special, don't take that away

[mccutch2u]

more need to realize that shit..............................

[burns]

Support our Troops

I had no Christmas spirit when I breathed a weary
sigh,
And looked across the table where the bills were piled
too high.
The laundry wasn't finished and the car I had to fix,
My stocks were down another point, the Dolphins lost
by six.

And so with only minutes till my son got home from
school
I gave up on the drudgery and grabbed a wooden stool.
The burdens that I carried were about all I could
take,
And so I flipped the TV on to catch a little break.

I came upon a desert scene in shades of tan and rust,
No snowflakes hung upon the wind, just clouds of
swirling dust.
And where the reindeer should have stood before a
laden sleigh,
Eight Hummers ran a column right behind an M1A.

A group of boys walked past the tank, not one was past
his teens.
Their eyes were hard as polished flint, their faces
drawn and lean.
They walked the street in armor with their rifles
shouldered tight,
Their dearest wish for Christmas, just to have a
silent night.

Other soldiers gathered, hunkered down against the
wind,
To share a scrap of mail and dreams of going home
again.
There wasn't much at all to put their lonely hearts at
ease,
They had no Christmas turkey, just a pack of MREs.

They didn't have a garland or a stocking I could see,
They didn't need an ornament-they lacked a Christmas
Tree.
They didn't have a present even though it was
tradition,
The only boxes I could see were labeled "ammunition."

I felt a little tug and found my son now by my side,
He asked me what it was I feared, and why it was I
cried.
I swept him up into my arms and held him oh so near
And kissed him on the forehead as I whispered in his
ear.

There's nothing wrong my little son, for safe we sleep
tonight,
Our heroes stand on foreign land to give us all the
right,
To worry on the things in life that mean nothing at
all,
Instead of wondering if we will be the next to fall.

He looked at me as children do and said its always
right,
To thank the ones who help us and perhaps that we
should write.
And so we pushed aside the bills and sat to draft a
note,
To thank the many far from home, and this is what we
wrote:

God bless you all and keep you safe, and speed your
way back home.
Remember that we love you so, and that you're not
alone.
The gift you give you share with all, a present every
day,
You give the gift of liberty and that we can't repay.

[burns]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b135/burns420/GodBlessOurSoldiers.gif