Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

[VF24F8C]

Just wanted to touch base and Wish Everyone A Very Merry Christmas and A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Here's my Christmas Present to you all...

A Different Holiday 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 "Its 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.

~ Author Unknown ~

WE ALL NEED TO PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL EVERY NIGHT, THEY ARE IN SOME VERY, VERY TIGHT PLACES.

God Bless You and Merry Christmas
Smitty

[SuperScout]

That's a great message! And may the blessings, joys and promises of all that the real Christmas means, be yours!

[MORTARDUDE]

Great poem. Thanks for posting !! Happy Holidays to you and yours !!

Larry

[Boats]

Happy Holidays to you and your family and may the New Years be bright and whatever you want it to be.

[Dragon Lady]

DL

[b3196]

Great poem, Thank You
Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family
Bob K

[Arrow]

They matter and they are the best their generation has to offer just like the ones that went before them. God bless them all and you and yours this Christmas Eve night.

[Gimptster]

I didn't know we had those dang sandstorms up here in "jawga" in December. Got sand all IN my eyes!

Thanks VF24.............this is a message we should always remember.

God Bless them ALL.........and a Merry Christmas to them ALL....and all of us as well!

Gimpy

[exlrrp]

God bless us every one!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night

James

Happy just to be alive