Remember the troops...

[AffectionateDan]

I remember how I felt when I was in the Air Force, away from my family and friends. Please take a moment to say a prayer for all the service men and women who won't be spending Christmas with their families this year!


"ONE NATION UNDER GOD"
"In God We Trust,God Bless America"

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem.
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me."

"My Gramps died at 'Pearl' on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

"My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam
And now it is my turn and so, here I am."

"I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile."

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red white and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home."

"I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat."

"I can carry the weight of killing another
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother
who stand at the front against any and all,
to ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright;
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,"
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

"It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone.
To stand your own watch, no matter how long."

"For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled
is payment enough, and with that we will trust.
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."


Friends, keep Our military people in your prayers. They are risking
their lives to protect what we take for granted, and we are losing
soldiers every day. They won't be home with their families this Christmas. Pray God will Bless Them, and keep them safe.

 

[red indian]

er....hello........????

.....we are still at it in Basra you know? and doing a better job I might suggest.

 

[ShadowFyre]

No offense meant to troops from other countries meant, but this is a small something that I found in one of my favorite magazines that I wanted to share. It was written by James M. Schmidt, Cpl, USMC. It is a nice reminder of how we troops feel around the holidays, as reprinted this year in Leatherneck magazine.

"Merry Christmas, My Friend"

'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 woth presents to give and to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight did I see. No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand. And on the wall hung pictures of a far-distant land.

With medals and bades, awards of all kind, a sobering thought soon came to my mind. For this was was different, unlike any I'd seen. This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them; I had to see more. So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor of his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene. Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine. Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan. I soon understood this was more than a man. For I realized the families that I saw that night owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.

Soon around the nation the children would play, and grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas Day. They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year, because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home. Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye. I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

He must have awoken, for 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."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep. I couldn't control it; I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still. I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill. So I took of my jacket, the one made of red, and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.

Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold with an eagle, globe, and anchor emblazoned so bold. And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. But half asleep he rolled over and in a voice clean and pure, said, "Carry on, Santa. It's Christmas Day. All secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right. Merry Christmas, my friend, Semper Fi, and good night.

 

[R. Davis]

I understand where you're coming from,Dan. As someone who spent six years in the Army. I have nothing but best wishes for any military personnel serving their country.

 

[milagros317]

Re: er....hello........????

.....we are still at it in Basra you know? and doing a better job I might suggest.

A post remembering American troops does not mean that we have forgotten our allies who are with us in Iraq now, R.I.

Let me thank all of the British, Spanish, Polish, and other coalition forces, and wish them well for the holidays and for the new year. 😀

 

[JPie1]

I wish all troops all over who are fighting for freedom, fighting from fear of terrorism...to all I wish you a Happy Holiday, Health and for coming home in one piece to your families!

God Bless and keep safe!


JPie

 

[giantfan121262]

No offense meant to troops from other countries meant, but this is a small something that I found in one of my favorite magazines that I wanted to share. It was written by James M. Schmidt, Cpl, USMC. It is a nice reminder of how we troops feel around the holidays, as reprinted this year in Leatherneck magazine.

"Merry Christmas, My Friend"

'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 woth presents to give and to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight did I see. No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand. And on the wall hung pictures of a far-distant land.

With medals and bades, awards of all kind, a sobering thought soon came to my mind. For this was was different, unlike any I'd seen. This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them; I had to see more. So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor of his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene. Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine. Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan. I soon understood this was more than a man. For I realized the families that I saw that night owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.

Soon around the nation the children would play, and grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas Day. They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year, because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home. Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye. I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

He must have awoken, for 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."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep. I couldn't control it; I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still. I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill. So I took of my jacket, the one made of red, and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.

Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold with an eagle, globe, and anchor emblazoned so bold. And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. But half asleep he rolled over and in a voice clean and pure, said, "Carry on, Santa. It's Christmas Day. All secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right. Merry Christmas, my friend, Semper Fi, and good night.

I have almost the same thing in a thread I started about 2 weeks ago

http://www.ticklingforum.com/showthread.php?threadid=38218

I'm glad someone else is taking the time to recognize the troops overseas who will be away from their families.