A soldiers Christmas

[BoeingDiesel]

Let us not forget those that made the ultimate sacrifice and to the brave men and women standing guard for this United States of America this Holiday season

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

 

[GCroyle]

BoeingDiesel,

A fine story to warm us and remind us of those who wear Our Uniforms and do so much.

Thanks


I'd like to add to and not detract from your story with a story I read on the ColemanCollectorForum contributed by ScouterAngus and I'll copy yours and post it there too.

The Christmas Scout

The Christmas Scout was returning on Christmas Eve from a party of his relatives, Where he had received all his gifts. He had a sled full of presents, just the things he had been hoping for; and although it was cold, he was warm because he was wearing the new ski jacket for which he had been hinting. It was his favorite gift.

In spite of everything, he was not happy. This was because it was to be his first Christmas without his brother who had, during the year, been the tragic victim of a drunk driver. His brother had been a good Scout and a fine example to him.

The Christmas Scout had taken a short cut through the Flats hoping he might meet his patrol leader who lived there with his widowed mother. This was a section of town in which many of the poor lived. His patrol leader, one of the best Scouts in the troop, had to work hard. Not that the Christmas Scout was rich. His family was just a step above the Flats.

As he hiked down the street, the Christmas Scout caught glimpses of the trees and decorations in many of the homes. He had no intention of prying but suddenly in one glimpse, he had seen a shabby room with two, limp stockings hanging above an empty fireplace.

There was a woman seated near them weeping. The stockings reminded him of the way he and his brother had always hung theirs side by side. But they had always found them, the next morning, full to brimming. Then he remembered that he had not done his Good Turn for the day.

He knocked at the door.
"Yes?" the sad voice of the woman inquired.
"May I come in?" I am a Scout."

"You are very welcome," she said, "but I cannot help you. I have nothing for my own children."
"That is why I am here," he replied. "You are to choose whatever you need from this sled."
"Why God bless you!" she answered great fully. "My little boys will be very happy. "

She took some candies and a game, the toy airplane, and a puzzle. Then, as she took the new official flashlight, the Scout almost cried out. But he did not. He saw that the stockings were full and turned out to go.

"Won't you tell me your name?" she asked.
"Just call me the Christmas Scout," he replied.

He was glad to have done the Good Turn but he was not really happier. He had seen that his sorrow was not the only sorrow in the world and, before he got out of the Flats that night, he had given the remainder of his toys away. The Ski jacket had gone to a boy who had none at all.

He trudged homeward, cold and disconsolate. He had given his presents away and he could think of no explanation that he could give his family that would seem reasonable. He wondered how he could make them understand.
His parents tried to be patient.

"But son, I don't see how you could have been so foolish," his mother said.

His father was firm. "You made your choice son. You know we cannot afford to give you any more presents."

The Christmas Scout realized that he seemed foolish in the eyes of his parents and even to a degree in his own, His brother gone, his family disappointed, he suddenly felt dreadfully alone. He had not thought to be rewarded for his generosity, for in the wisdom of his young life, he knew that a good deed should always be its own reward. It would be tarnished otherwise.

He did not want his gifts back. The Christmas Scout thought of his brother and sobbed himself to sleep.

The next morning he came down to find his parents listening to the Christmas on the TV.
Then the announcer spoke.

Merry Christmas everybody! The nicest Christmas story we have this morning comes from the Flats. It appears that a crippled boy down there has a new sled this morning. Another youngster has a fine ski jacket, and several families have reported that their children have been made happy by the visitation of a Scout who gave no name but simply referred to himself as the Christmas Scout. The boy with he jacket declares that the Scout gave it off his own back. No one can identify him, but the children of the Flats are claiming that the Christmas Scout was a personal representative of old Santa Claus himself."

The Christmas Scout felt his father's arms go around his shoulder and he saw his mother smiling at him through her tears.
"We are proud of you, son."
The Christmas Scout caught his breath. Mother, Father!" he cried. "This is a happy Christmas after all!"

The carols came over the air again filling the room with music.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and may the New year Bring Happiness, Peace and Prosperity to You and those you hold Dear.


__________________
Angus

 

[mfurrh55]

It wasn't In a December when we lost our Marine son, but in May,and we still miss him dearly especially at Christmastime, But we know he's with our Lord Jesus Christ, Merry Christmas to ALL in TDR Land

 

[GCroyle]

It wasn't In a December when we lost our Marine son, but in May,and we still miss him dearly especially at Christmastime, But we know he's with our Lord Jesus Christ, Merry Christmas to ALL in TDR Land

mfurrh55,

Merry Christmas to you and your family and your Marine. No words can say what is felt for your loss.

Gary

 

[BoeingDiesel]

It wasn't In a December when we lost our Marine son, but in May,and we still miss him dearly especially at Christmastime, But we know he's with our Lord Jesus Christ, Merry Christmas to ALL in TDR Land

mfurrh55
My sincerest condolences to you and your family.

 

[Killgore]

Merry Christmas, especially to all those who stood their watch and to those who are now standing it. I remember well the Christmas decorations that remained up until the sons and husbands could return home and celebrate Christmas with their families. And, I remember those who returned home when there was no celebration. I, for one, will never forget.