Home of the Brave - A Christmas Tribute to our Soldiers

[Mimi]

A letter from Santa....



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.

For this house was different,
it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.

This soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone,
curled up on the floor
in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,
the room in disorder,
not how I had pictured
a United States soldier.

Was this the hero
of whom I 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 are 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, so 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.

When 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.

- Author Unknown



May God bless and protect our troops, as they spend Christmas fighting over seas, away from their families, and may they all return to us soon, safe and sound.

Mimi

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Bless them all, and carry them safely through this Christmas, so far away.🙁

Thanks for that Mimi.🙂

 

[milagros317]

Beautiful poem, Mimi. May they come home to their families safely.

 

[Knox The Hatter]

I know how awful a feeling it is to spend Christmas on a deployment. Of course, what I went through isn't nearly as bad as what these people are going through now.

I remember Christmas morning, 1982, when we were moored at Molo Angiono in Naples, a rainy day. Aside from the usual depression about not being there with my family back in New York, I was down because I knew that The Sandwich Guy would not be at the end of the pier near the Via Roma that night, because of the holiday. He had an open grill where he made the most wonderful steak sandwiches you have ever had in your life, on sliced panini, also throwing on fresh veggies and homemade sauce similar to tzatiki. I walked around, in the rain, in a blue funk, smoking one cigarette after another, until I got bored and went back aboard, where my friend in the closed circuit TV room received death threats from the guys down in one of the fire rooms if he didn't turn off Armed Forces Radio. Seems they didn't want to hear "I'll Be Home For Christmas" ever again.

Now, our guys and girls are over there, and they look forward to two things: 1) a meal from an MRE, and trust me, you'd sooner take your chances with camel shit, and 2) will this day be my last? Will I be ambushed, or bombed, or both?

I think about our people over there quite often. Well, look at it this way...the Haliburton mob over there eats well. Every day. For that, certain people are thankful.