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[JannDallas]

Duplicate

[JannDallas]

If they are Duplicates, I'm sorry.


Soldiers 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 dwelling did live.

I looked all around a strange sight to see,

No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stockings on the mantel, just boots filled with sand,

On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

medals and badges, awards of every kind

A sobering thought came alive in my mind.

This house was different, it was dark, it was dreary,

I had found the home of a soldier, I could see that most clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,

Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

His face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,

Not at all how I pictured a United States soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?

Curled up on a poncho, a floor for a bed

Then I realized the other families that I saw this night

Owed their lives to soldiers who were willing to fight.

In the morning ‘round the world, children would play,

Grownups would celebrate, a bright Christmas day.

But, they all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,

Because of soldiers like the one lying here.

I couldn’t help but wonder how many lay alone

On a cold Christmas Eve in lands far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,

and I dropped to my knees, I started to cry.

The soldier awakened, I heard his 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, and I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,

As both of us shivered from the cold night’s chill.

I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark night,

This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,

He 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, may god bless you this night!

__________________________________________________


A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM
Author Unknown

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. 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 daughter in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, she'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 brothers.
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.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[LewWaters]

A very nicely put together tribute. I haven't seen this one before.

Gladiator, American Style

[Psycmeistr]

Here is a picture of my son, Doug, currently serving in Iraq--he is pictured on the left:


_________________
Proud parent of a deployed Iraqi Freedom Soldier

[Psycmeistr]

Here is a link to Pat Dollard's website.

Pat Dollard was a big-time Hollywood producer/agent. He got tired of all the negative press our soldiers were getting in Hollywood, and so he quit his high paying gigs and devoted his talents to filming what really goes on in Iraq with our soldiers.

He has many clips of his upcoming film on his site.
_________________
Proud parent of a deployed Iraqi Freedom Soldier

[Me#1You#10]

[redleg2]

[LewWaters]

At least, an entertainer in Australia gets it. Click on the link and see what I call Australia's answer to the Dixie Chicks;

Poster Girl (Wrong Side Of The World)
_________________
Clark County Conservative

[TEWSPilot]

My Niece's husband with Charlie Daniels at Bagram, Afghanistan a few years ago
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