Xmas Poem

[qfairy]

I got this from a dear friend and just have to share it, as it really touched my heart:

A Different Christmas Poem

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 eyes 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 "It's really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's 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 sister and brother.

Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure 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."

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.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN

30th Naval Construction Regiment

OIC, Logistics Cell One

Al Taqqadum, Iraq

[9patch]

Those of us who were 'of age' during Vietnam never want to see our soldiers disrespected the way they were then.

Consider volunteering to quilt for Quilts of Valor. A very worthwhile cause up against a daunting task, to provide wounded soldiers with a gift of gratitude for their service. I have not heard from most of the people to whom the quilts have gone, but one mother said that in receiving the quilt it felt like her whole family had been hugged. Something only a quilt can do, I think.

Another friend of mine suggested sending a Christmas card to a recovering soldier. Here is one address:

A Recovering American Soldier

c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center

6900 Georgia Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20307-5001

Not sure why this touches my heart as much as it does. I guess we can't do enough for these brave folks, no matter what our 'politics.'

Linda

[lizziesgirl]

Thank you for sharing. I'm sure all of us know or have someone that is in the service or have lost their life giving freedom to us. Thanks to all that serve. That is not enough to say but the words are not in our vocabulary that can really say how grateful I am to each and everyone that has ever served this wonderful country.

God bless the family of Sgt. Aaron Jagger (former classmate) who lost his life Aug 06. Steven Miller and family (church family) who is currently in Iraq. Chris Esterline and family (Nephew) who is in the Navy in Virginia and has served 1 tour in Iraq. Roger Lauchlen (Nephew) who is in the Navy in Virginia.

Thanks to all.

Sheryl

[Judi]

Very nice poem - and thanks for posting the address - I will send of some

cards - great idea!!

It all gave me goose-bumps....... but is all so true - never forget!