A SOLDIER'S WISH
& Other Thoughts at Christmas to Honor
Those That Serve and Protect Our Country
Here are several remembrances dedicated to the men
and women that have committed themselves to protect
our freedom. Remember that they are often away
from home during the holidays and forward this to
all your friends so that everyone can include them
in their prayers and holiday wishes.
THE SOLDIER'S WISH
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 mantel,
Just the 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.
Then 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."
-Lt. Col. Bruce W. Lovely
SAILOR'S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
'Twas the night before Christmas
as I flew o'er the Marine Base,
When I spied a young man
who seemed out of place.
His eyes showed compassion,
his hair a bit long,
but his head was held high
and his body was strong.
His air was confident,
his uniform smart,
but what impressed me most
was the size of his heart.
For he embodied honor,
one of this country's best,
and the words U.S. NAVY
showed large on his chest.
As I stood there in wonder
and gazed into his eyes,
the words that he spoke
took me quite by surprise.
"What's wrong Santa,
haven't you ever seen a sailor before?"
I sensed something special
and longed to know more.
"To be honest, this field thing
wasn't part of my plan,
but God didn't give me
a boat or tin can."
The words he spoke next
surprised me all the more,
"But I'm as proud of my Navy
as I am of the Corps!"
"Don't worry Santa,
that I'm a sailor you see,
for when a Marine goes down
they will still call on me.
They'll forget I'm a sailor,
they'll call in my stock.
At the top of their lungs they'll yell ,
"Get me the doc!"
"And I'll answer that call,
anytime, anywhere.
I know I'm a target
I really don't care.
I'll face incoming fire
as I race cross the land,
and use my very own body
to shield a downed man."
"Working long hours
and into the night,
my unit's battle is over,
but I'm just starting to fight.
For the life of every Marine
is sacred to me.
I refuse to surrender them to death,
and in that I'll find victory."
"And yet I'll take the time
to comfort a dying man,
to sit down by his side,
to reach out and hold his hand.
For it takes as much courage
to care as to fight.
For just as the poem says,
many don't "go gently into that night."
"Santa, it's not any one uniform
that makes you a man,
but rather it's those ideals
for which you choose to stand.
I draw my line here,
it's long and it's plain.
For pain, hurt and suffering
are the things I disdain."
I know very well
that I may lose my life,
so that a Marine may see
an unmet child and young wife.
So Santa, it really doesn't matter
if they don't like my hair.
I'm a Navy Corpsman, their Doc,
and I'll always be there."
"I follow the brave docs
who have come long before,
from Belleau Wood, Iwo,
and Lebanon's shore.
As history proudly shows,
they all gave their best,
and for those who have died,
surely they're blessed."
"At Inchon, the Gulf
and times during Tet,
our brothers have fallen,
but we carry on yet.
For we carry their honor
and legacy still."
As I held back my tears
it took all of my will.
I had to leave him there
for I had other plans,
but I knew in my heart that
the Corps is in good hands.
As I flew away I heard his laughter,
it rang so loud and clear.
"Hey Santa, how 'bout a nice pair of boots
for the 26 miler next year?"
HMC(FMF/SW) Mark Forsberg
2/3 UDP, Okinawa, December 1997
A BATTLE PRAYER
Young Warriors,
Should fate find you on the battlefield,
May your cause be a just one.
May your courage not falter.
May you show mercy to your enemies.
May your efforts bring the blessings of peace.
May you be triumphant and earn victory.
May your sacrifice be always appreciated.
May you endure the conflict unharmed.
Should you be harmed, may your wounds heal.
Should you perish in the struggle,
May God embrace you and find a place for you
in his Kingdom.
by : Scott A.Tackett Sr.
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LINKS
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