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The Night Santa Became a Marine !!!
A Marine

Posted on 09/15/2005 2:24:35 PM PDT by ma bell

The Night Santa Became a Marine !!!

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T'was 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 whom in this house did live.

As I looked all around a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stockings by the fire, just boots full of sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far-away land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
A sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the house of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, so I had to see more.
I walked down the hallway and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping. Silent. Alone.
Curled up on the floor of his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene.
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean shaven, his face weathered tan.
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized families that I had just seen that night
Owed their lives to these men, so willing to fight.

Soon around the nation the children would play
And grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.
They enjoyed freedom each day and all year
Because of Marines like the one lying here.

I couldn't help but 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 I started to cry.

He must have awakened for I heard a rough voice.
"Santa, Don't cry. This 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, drifted off into sleep.
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours. So silent. So still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
To cover this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his tee-shirt of scarlet and gold,
With an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.

Although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride.
For one shining moment, I was the Marine Corps deep inside.
I didn't want to leave him, so quiet in the night,
This guardian of honor, so willing to fight.

But, half asleep, he rolled over, and in a voice clean
and pure, Said, "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day - All Secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas, my friend. Semper Fi - and good night!


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: itsnotchristmasyet; notevenhalloweenyet; orthanksgivingyet

1 posted on 09/15/2005 2:24:36 PM PDT by ma bell
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To: ma bell

:( Great poem, but it made me cry.


2 posted on 09/15/2005 2:34:08 PM PDT by madison10
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To: ma bell

I heard this on the radio last Christmas. I think the DJ who read it had some information about the author, but I don't remember what he said right now.


3 posted on 09/15/2005 3:37:55 PM PDT by Rastus (Year 7: Harry Potter and the Heartbreak of Psoriasis)
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To: ma bell

Ya might want to save this and post it 12/24

Semper Fi,
Kelly


4 posted on 09/15/2005 4:00:47 PM PDT by kellynla (U.S.M.C. 1st Battalion,5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Div. Viet Nam 69&70 Semper Fi)
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To: kellynla
Why, when Everday is a holiday || every meal a feast! ||My gosh, I had to enlist into the Army as I'm half a year too old to go back into the Marine Corps. I'm telling you, it's going from high-speed to low-drag. The 101st Airborne and 82d Airborne so far are the only units that measure closely to the Corps. The Rangers are glorified Marine Infantry. I'm telling you, I'd rather go into battle with two Marine Regiments low on supply then a fully equipped Army Division.

That is just from my up/close personal observation.

You join the Army but earn the title of a Marine.

Semper Fi.

Can we get a count on deck of Marines frm this thread?

5 posted on 09/15/2005 5:25:10 PM PDT by ma bell ("Take me to the Brig. I want to see the "real Marines". Major General Chesty Puller, USMC)
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