Posted on 11/13/2001 3:14:37 AM PST by Shenandoah
I received the following email:
I wrote back to Colleen suggesting that she contact her local VFW, Marine Corps League, American Legion, and Vietnam Veterans of America. I've also posted her message on American Veterans
I have corresponded with Colleen, so I know this to be valid.
I AM HOPING YOU AND YOUR READERS CAN HELP ME WITH A PROBLEM, I HAVE A NEIGHBOR, A MARINE, WHO DID TWO TOURS IN NAM, HE IS VERY POOR HEALTH AND PROBABLY WON'T LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS, HE LIVES IN A 3 ROOM HOUSE HE BUILT HIS SELF, HE HAS NO LIVING FAMILY, FEW FRIENDS, EVERY CHRISTMAS I TAKE HIM A BASKET OF GOODIES, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THAT IS CHRISTMAS CARDS FROM ALL OVER, FROM OTHER VETS, YOU CAN'T IMAGINE HOW HAPPY THIS WOULD MAKE HIS CHRISTMAS. HE LIVES WITH HIS CAT, AND IN ON OXYGEN AS HE HAS EMPHYSEMA AND IS BASICALLY HOUSEBOUND. PLEASE IF YOU CAN HELP ME, HIS NAME IS RICHARD WORKMAN, AND YOU CAN SEND CARDS TO HIM C/O COLLEEN CASTILLO, 3372 S KNOX, ODESSA,TX 79763
THANKS
--- COLLEEN CASTILLO
3rd. Bn., 3rd. Marines, 3rd. Marine Division - QuangTri, Dong Ha, Camp Carrol, DaNang, Charlie 2 – 1968
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by 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 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."
_______________________________________
This poem was written by a marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable.....
Please. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. Service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.
Doesn't this poem just fit perfectly?
thanks for letting us know.
Actually, it's on the The Literary Page of my "American Veterans" site.
There's also a lot of original poetry sent to me from visitors.
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