Registered: Aug 2003
Location: S. Ga.
Posts: 4608

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Twas 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 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.

Tor 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 Christmasday.

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 Christmaseve
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."

Written By:
Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt


Included with this beautiful poem came a very touching request:

Important!
Request from a Soldier ~

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

__________________
James Lawrence, Big Slough Kennels

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Palmyra, Missouri
Posts: 9991

This was read at our Christmas dinner, when I was in the army. Made every soldier proud. Thanks for posting this.

__________________
PKC CH GRANDNITECH SPLIT CREEK HISTORY BUDDY HTX (RIP)
NITECH GRCH SHANNON'S HILLBILLY HANGOVER (RIP)
NITECH GRCH SHANNON'S HILLBILLY COOKIE HTX & PKC MONEY WON ( 3 times World Qualifier) (RIP)
NITECH GRCH HTX PR SHANNON'S HILLBILLY CHIEF 1 WIN FROM GRANDNITECH
PR SHANNON’S HILLBILLY MAXIE

If you can read this thank a TEACHER
If you can read this in English, thank a VETERAN

www.freewebs.com/shannonshowmekennels

United States Army Retired

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location: greensburg,ky.
Posts: 3364

good poem,except i would said( God holds my life )not my life is my God.jmo

__________________
on fire/tree dogs

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