At Christmastime while you are enjoying your time with family and friends, remember the soldiers spending Christmas away from their families and their country.
A Soldier's Silent Night
'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, net 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.
The 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.
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, net 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.
The 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.
Originally titled "Merry Christmas, My Friend" and written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1987.
What are you thankful for this holiday season? Leave a comment and be entered to win a Ebook Copy of Tuck & Cover (Owen and Tuck are lucky enough to get to spend CChristmas together this year)
What are you thankful for this holiday season? Leave a comment and be entered to win a Ebook Copy of Tuck & Cover (Owen and Tuck are lucky enough to get to spend CChristmas together this year)
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LOVE the poem you posted! i cried part way thru
ReplyDeleteparisfan_ca@yahoo.com
The poem was wonderful. I am thankful for my wonderful husband.
ReplyDeleteYvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
I am thankful for all of the men and women that serve in the military and for all of the sacrifices they make to keep our country (us) safe. I am very thankful that I get to spend the holdiays with my family. My thoughts are with those that won't be able to do the same.
ReplyDeletelkbherring64(at)gmail(dot)com
spend the "holidays" with my family :)
DeleteI'm thankful to have a roof over my head, food to eat, and clothes to keep me warm. That's the bottom of our hierarchy of needs!
ReplyDeletebrendurbanist at gmail dot com
I'm thankful for my family and for all that I have.
ReplyDeleteJYL22075 at gmail dot com
Im thankful to have all my family at home for the holidays
ReplyDeletemeandi09@yahoo.com
Hey Steph! As with most everyone else, I'm so thankful for my family, especially my children which I hardly get to see.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to you and your family!
~Rush~
taina1959@yahoo.com
What a wonderful poem. enjoyed the post. please count me in.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful that even though we're apart, my family is healthy.
Judi
arella3173_loveless@yahoo(dot)com
I've already purchased my copy of Tuck but I thought your post was very moving and I wanted to let you know what a blessing it was.
ReplyDeleteLove this hopping.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the moving post. Congrats on the new release! Thanks for participating in the hop!
ReplyDeleteOceanAkers @ aol.com
Thank you so much everyone for all your comments and for checking out my post. I forgot all about picking a name for the winner. Off to the handy dandy random generator I go. Be Back shortly with the winner!
ReplyDelete~Hugs~
Jo