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A Soldier's Christmas
an e-mail I received ^ | 12/7/00 | Michael Marks

Posted on 12/20/2001 5:24:39 AM PST by mommadooo3

A Soldier's Christmas

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
my daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep
in perfect contentment, or so it would seem.
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eye when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
and I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,
to the window that danced with a warm fire's light
then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night"

"Its my duty to stand at the front of the line,
that separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red white and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home,
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat,
I can carry the weight of killing another
or lay down my life with my sisters and brothers
who stand at the front against any and all,
to insure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone.
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
to know you remember we fought and we bled
is payment enough, and with that we will trust.
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

Michael Marks
December 7th, 2000
marksman@patriot.net

In loving appreciation of the countless Americans who have and continued to serve in the Armed Forces, and those who gave their life for their country. Your sacrifices will never be forgotten. We look forward to the day you come home. God bless and keep you always, and God Bless America!


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
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To: d4now
God Bless you my friend.
61 posted on 12/20/2001 5:00:49 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: Colt .45
Thank you for sharing with us Colt .45.That means a lot.
62 posted on 12/20/2001 5:01:52 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: g'nad
Thank you g'nad and thank you for serving and helping to keep me living in a safe and free land my friend.
63 posted on 12/20/2001 5:03:17 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: onyx
That is a great idea, I am going to email this too late night to family. Thanks for the idea.
64 posted on 12/20/2001 5:15:21 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: GatorGirl
((((( HUG )))))

I thank you with all my heart for your sacrifices you make so your husband can serve and keep us free and safe.

You are a special person and I am so glad we are friends..GG.

65 posted on 12/20/2001 5:23:32 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: NixNatAVanG InDaBurgh
God Bless you Nix, for all you do , your prayers and support of our troops is wonderful.
66 posted on 12/20/2001 5:25:07 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: JeanS
Merry Christmas Jean. I am so glad you got to see this, it is very special.

I am so glad we met here at FR. Have a wonderful evening.

67 posted on 12/20/2001 6:08:18 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: Aric2000
Thanks good post and all true. I agree Aric2000
68 posted on 12/20/2001 6:22:25 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: jtill
Me too.Lots of Kleenex
69 posted on 12/20/2001 6:28:08 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: Barnacle;Connectthedots
(((HUG)) for both of you. Love you guys.
70 posted on 12/20/2001 6:31:05 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: Mr. Lucky
I know what you mean my friend. I love your heart, thank you.
71 posted on 12/20/2001 6:33:27 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: Shenandoah
I am REALLY glad you added it.Thank you so much my friend.
72 posted on 12/20/2001 6:49:45 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: glock rocks
Thank you, I know you support our troops and wanted to share this thread with you. Thank you for your post so much.
73 posted on 12/20/2001 6:54:22 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: Snow Bunny
I didn't cry, because big boys don't cry. That's my story and I'm stick'n to it.
74 posted on 12/20/2001 7:45:06 PM PST by Barnacle
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To: Barnacle
giggle.. your so cute...(((((HUG))))
75 posted on 12/20/2001 8:04:07 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: MeeknMing
bump!
76 posted on 12/20/2001 8:08:00 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: Snow Bunny, mommadooo3
That was a great post, mommadooo3. Those soldiers are my heros! Thanks for the ping, Snow Bunny.
77 posted on 12/20/2001 9:21:21 PM PST by goldilucky
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To: mommadooo3 ;SLB
Well Bless your Heart mommadooo3. Thank You for the kindness shown to our troops past and present. Many a Christmas I spent away from home and it's great people like yourself that always brought kindness to me and mine in some form or manner during those lonely holidays.

Thank You, Stay Safe and God Bless all in your life.......

78 posted on 12/20/2001 9:57:38 PM PST by Squantos
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To: Squantos
Poem's also dedicated to your lady friend.

I've had the kids make a few huge Christams cards out of poster board. Even though we've been sending e-mails to the troops, there are STILL vets on US soil who need to be remembered. So we drop off the 'cards' to the Am-Vets, VFW, and such.

May God bless ALL.

79 posted on 12/21/2001 3:23:12 AM PST by mommadooo3
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To: Squantos; mommadooo3; Snow Bunny
I recently found a web page containing pictures of a unit I was in while spending my year+ in Vietnam. There in living color was the 5 ton truck I drove, and the fender I used for a table on Christmas dinner exactly 30 years ago. The pictures were taken by the commander that had left the unit just as I arrived. I did not know him, but his great reputation remained for some time.
80 posted on 12/21/2001 4:49:06 AM PST by SLB
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