Remember our Veterans and those deployed this Christmas.
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster & 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 fire, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
I 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 in his one bedroom home.
His face so gentle, his room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.
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 `round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers 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.
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.”
With that he rolled over and 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 off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.
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, whispered with a voice so clean and pure,
“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!
But a Rutan-built sleigh, with eight Rotax Reindeer!With vectors to final, down the glideslope he came,
you that remember, Bell-Gab. I have had a few nicknames in the course of my life but mostly called Snoopy or Spooky to close friends and fellow warriors. I am retired from the United States Army. I was placed on the Army’s Retired list in October of 2013 after 38 years of Active, Reserve and a bit of IRR service.
Chief. All in all, it quiets me and eases the stresses of the day. In short, I feel better when I’m done and back under cover.
the corner and that’s when I saw him. Kneeling on the ground near my flag pole was a figure. He seemed to be dressed in fatigues and had a beret on his head. I could almost see through him and there was a faint glow surrounding him. He looked vaguely familiar but couldn’t quite make out who he was. I left the cover of the side of the house and started to creep towards him. He was crouched on one knee and his head was slowly scanning up and down the road, swirls of smoke drifting off on the breeze. “Hey Chief, nice night huh?” He seemed to know who I was. ” Come sit by me a bit” Not knowing what else to do I stood up straight and walked slowly over to him and sat on the grass. “Do I know you” I asked. I still couldn’t make out his face.”Oh, we may have met once or twice.” he said. ” The others are busy tonight. I was by myself with nothing going on so I asked if I could watch over you and your family”. He was looking at me with a smile on his face. “HE thought it was a great idea. I hope you don’t mind” he said.”No not at all. ” I said. Not sure about what was going on and I wasn’t sure what else to say except “Thank you”.
with in the past in some far off land and at least for tonight I could relax. As I walked towards the house I could still smell the smoke from his cigarette as I thought of those Heroes that I served with. A small rabbit ran in front of me, stopping and looking up at me for a second before he resumed his run towards where I threw the grain. As I opened the front door I thought I heard a voice saying “Hey little guy, Merry Christmas. Come eat there’s plenty and no hunters”. I looked to the sky once more, whispered “Thank you” and threw a salute as I went inside.