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 the mantle,
just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures,
of a far distant land.

with medals, ribbons, and badges,
awards of all kind,
a sober thought came through my mind,
for this house was different,
it was dark and dreary,
i found in the home - a soldier,
once i could see clearly.

although the home was in a distant land,
one could tell, the soldier had fought hard,
from all the cuts on his hand,
and his face was freshly scarred.

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

the face was so gentle,
the room is 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 of all the families that i saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

and soon round the world,
the children would play,
and the grownups would celebrate
a bright christmas day.

they would all enjoyed freedom
each day 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 i started to cry.

the soldier now awakened
and i heard his voice.
"santa don't cry,
this life is my choice."

i fight for freedom,
i don't ask for more,
my life is for my god,
my country, my corps."

the soldier rolled back 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
form 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.
he whispered, "carry on santa,
it's christmas day - all is secure."

one look at my watch,
and i knew he was right.
i had so much to do,
which is suppose to be my night.

as i looked through my sack,
for a present to leave,
the one i wanted to give,
was of peace, and not to grieve,

i knew the soldier would give the biggest present of all,
his life, if need be, to answer the call,
for his gift was far larger than what most would give,
so that the rest of us would have peace in this world to live.

i finally made my way to my sleigh,
and thought about how HE made MY day,
and as i called to my reindeer to take flight,
i shouted to all to hear, "merry christmas my friend, and to all a good
night."

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i did not originate it, but i did add over half.  it seems very fitting
in view of what has happened this year in the war efforts.

~ curtis - FTCS - USN - RET

knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional