To all of those who have served, and are serving now

MissileCop

New member
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."

This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable...
Please. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves
for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.
 
Very very very well done, brings a tear to my eye. I have forwarded it on to everyone in my address book.

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I would rather die on my feet, than live on my knees.
 
Brought a tear to my eye as well. I'm not sure where my wife got it from, but she forwarded it to me, and I felt TFL would be an appropiate place to send it.

For those that have served alongside me, Thank You.

For those that currently protect America's freedoms (in spite of Bill Clinton), Thank You. You are in our thoughts this holiday season. From one who has been there.

MissileCop
 
MissleCop-Thank you for that touching poem. I feel compelled to relay some thoughts I've had for a few years now. I served in the US Army. During my service, I was on Border Guard in Germany, in an "theater other than war" in Panama, and a few other experiences that I'd rather not get into. I don't talk too much about what I had to do or what I saw and felt in these distant places. While I don't feel that society as a whole owes me a single thing, I do feel like most people just don't give a damn about what I had to do and feel betrayed by the US government, supposedly MY government. I went and fought for the govt. for things I didn't agree with and you can sure as hell bank on me fighting for something I do believe in. Like my Constitutional rights. All of them. I believe I will see a Civil War in this country within my lifetime and hope that the correct "side" prevails. I think that a lot of the people in this country need a wake up call and really take to heart what their freedom means to them and to the people that don't have it.

Steve
 
Aztec- you're exactly right, most people don't care a rat's ass for anyone who served. I think that we're better people for having served, as for those who haven't- they're lesser for it.
 
I just wanted to let you guys know that I appreciate what you have done. I haven't served in the armed forces, but the thought of doing so has been on my mind for awhile now. Thank you for what you have done to make this world a better place.

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Like an animal locked up in a cage, through my inheritance I was born to rage.

[This message has been edited by Caeca Invidia Es (edited December 11, 1999).]
 
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