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 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 Nations Soldier.
Was this the Hero, or whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realised the families that I saw this night,
Owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon around the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed Freedome each month of the year,
Because of the Soliders, like the one lying here.
I could'nt help wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very tought 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 dont ask for more,
My life is my God, my Country my Corps"
The soldier rolled over, and drifted to sleep,
I could'nt control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,
And we both shivered from the cold Nights Chill.
I did'nt want to leave on that cold, dark night,
This guardian of honor, so willing to fight.
The the solider rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas Day, and all is secure"
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
Having originally come from South Africa, and now been living in Canada for the last
11 years, war has never been a stranger. My Dad, grandfathers, cousins, uncles,
have all served time. Never once did it occur to me to be ashamed or to shun them
for serving their country. Being left behind has the ugly ring of stray animals to it.
These are men who went to die for a cause they sometimes did'nt even understand.
But went anyway. Its shamful to us as human beings that we allow this to happen
to our own people. We're not better than dogs if we turn away from this injustice.
Where does it end?? From your desk in front of your computer, safe at home, do you
think you could ever really understand the pain, lonliness and heartache of being
the one left behind? I hope to God none of us ever go through that.
In honour of my new home, Canada, I've chosen to "adopt" John Howard Reeves.
I'm a little uncomfortable with the word "adopt" since we take it so lightly here in the
net world. We adopt fairies, and dragons, and bears. But we also adopt a POW. But
what other word do we use for what we do here? Unfortunately I know nothing about
John's personal life. I do have information on his military history, and I've included
that here. His personal life I'm still investigating and hope to find something
significant. But even if I dont, his life alone, and the fact that he gave it for
this beautiful country is in itself, significant enough.
For as long as we live, so shall you.
REEVES, JOHN HOWARD
Name: John Howard Reeves
Branch/Rank: United States Marine Corps/E3
Unit: D CO 1 BN 1 MAR 1 MAR DIV
Date of Birth: 28 October 1943
Home City of Record: CANADA
Status: Single
Date of Loss: 23 December 1966
Country of Loss: South Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 155305 North 1081331 East
Status (in 1973): Killed In Action/Body Not Recovered
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: GROUND
Start of Tour: Friday, December 23, 1966
Date of Casualty: Friday, December 23, 1966
Age at time of loss: 23
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Province: Quang Nam
The Wall: Panel 13E - Row 076
Other Personnel in Incident:
NA
Military:
Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: LCPL
Serial Number: 2163024
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0311
Source:
Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following:
Raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews and CACCF = Combined Action
Combat Casualty File.
Vietnam Vet Causualty information
REMARKS:
CACCF/DROWNED/SUFFOCATED/QUANG NAM
Quang Nam 15 miles SW of Hui An.
No further information available at this time.
The VietNam Veterans' Memorial Wall Page
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Email: Cheryl
