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 just who in this home did live,
I
looked all about, a strange site did I see,
No
tinsel, no presents, not even a tree,
No
stockings by the mantle, Just boots filled with sand,
On
the wall hung pictures of far distance 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 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.
The
solider lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled
up in this, His one bedroom home.
The
face was so gentle,, the room in such disorder
Not
how I pictured a United States Solider.
Was
this the War Hero of whom I’d just read?
Curled
up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood this was more than a man.
I
realized the families that I saw this night
Owed
they’re lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon
round the world the children would play
And
grownups celebrate a bright Christmas day
They
enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because
of these 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
Dropped
to my knees and started to cry.
The
Soldier awakened and I hear a rough voice,
“Santa
don’t cry, this is my life my choice:
I
fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more
My
life is my god, my country my Corps.”
The
Solider rolled over and soon drifted to sleep
I
couldn’t control it I started to weep.
I
kept watch for hours. So silent and still
And
we both shivered from the cold nights chill.
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 on that cold dark night,
This
guardian of honor, so willing to fight.
Then
the Solider rolled over with a voice soft and pure,
Whispered,
"Carry on Santa, Christmas Day is Secure"
One
look at my watch and I knew he was right
Merry
Christmas my friend and to all a good night.
A visitor to this site direct me to this link telling the story of this poem. It seems the original author was Corporal James M. Schmidt of the US Marines and it was written back in 1986 with the title "Merry Christmas my Friend". It seems that over time some of the wording has been changed to reflect the US Army rather than the U.S. Marines which is the branch of the service Mr. Schmidt served in.
The wording may or may not be correct in the posting on this page. To see the original version as printed in Leatherneck in 1991 please go to This page. To purchase a copy of the original publication go to This link.
I Hope everyone appreciates our men and women in uniform, and what they sacrifice for us every day of there lives especially now since the events of September 11th and the War in Iraq. I posted this to help pass the word and to remember those who are protecting us now, both here on the Homeland or overseas on foreign soil, who will spend Christmas away from there families, but knowing that they are protecting those very people they miss. and for those who have protected us in the past. if your are one of these man or women,
Thank you
&
Merry Christmas !
last updated December 28, 2006
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