A Poem For Remembering

I received this poem in an email. It says so much in just a few words. God Bless Our Troops from everywhere, and God Bless Each and Everyone Of You.

A Bright Christmas Day



T’was 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.
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 a lot of credit goes to 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 gone, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.