A TRIBUTE

[Soodna]

'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 bootd 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 dept 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 my a Marine stationed in Kinawa Japan.
I thought it worthy of sharing

[justoleme]

we can thank the guys who put their desire for money aside and go risk their lives in foreign places for us safe at home.If not for folks like them we would not be so comfortable in the USA.I wonder how many would trade places whith those guys at Christmass time? The taliban and big mouth are on the run now..and none of us here have dodged a bullet nor an RPG .

[Soodna]

Every true blue American should say a little prayer/word of thanks to every soldier that has ever fought on the side of freedom. Thanks Justo. Thanks Dad. Thanks Bubba. Thank you all whose names I do not know for providing a place for me to live and work in an atmosphere of freedom. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you.

[RAMBO]

Soodna:

A good poem for the holiday season!

A print and save!!

[Lisainquisitive]

Thanks to my great grandfather,thanks to my great uncle,thanks to my grandfather.Their graves I visit,an American flag by their tombstones.

[justoleme]

Atleast they told me that..And we have a constitution and bill of rights as a promise worth risking our lives to defend.my kin did also,,some came back in a flag draped coffin..and it was worth the price.

[Lisainquisitive]

Originally posted by Lisainquisitive
Thanks to my great grandfather,thanks to my great uncle,thanks to my grandfather.Their graves I visit,an American flag by their tombstones.

I should add that I am very proud of them and they helped to teach me among many things the concept of freedom.