The Original Military Christmas Poem

James M. Schmidt

[AlaskaErik]

Merry Christmas, My Friend

By James M. Schmidt, a Marine Lance Corporal
stationed in Washington, D.C., in 1986

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

As 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 a far distant land.

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

I'd 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.

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 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 around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines 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 I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for 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, 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 covered this Marine from his toes to his head.

Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was 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 goodnight.

[AlaskaErik]

This is the original. All others are knockoffs using this poem as an outline. Merry Christmas to all and Semper Fidelis.

[Perseverando]

Merry Christmas Marines!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you defend freedom around the world, even on this wonderful day that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Saviour of the world.

Thank you and for volunteering to sacrifice your safety and security for America and your countrymen. We know you are greatly missed by friends and family back here in “the world.”

We pray that God will watch over you and you’ll soon be safely reunited with them when the mission is accomplished.

For God, Corps and Country!

Merry Christmas & Semper Fi!

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Many don’t appreciate the military, even at military funerals. They think they do. They try to, but it is almost impossible, for their life doesn’t change because of the Marine. His does but theirs stays the same. That is the beauty of the men and women in the military. They fight and die so you don’t have to change.

Don’t let it slip away with the false promises of false gods.

Merry Christmas.

[GailA]

Merry CHRIST-mas to our Military and their families.

Here is the poem set to video

http://www.godvine.com/A-Soldier-s-Silent-Night-a-Video-Everyone-Should-See-99.html