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Topic: Read it. (Read 592 times) |
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Big Dan
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
SMASH BRAIN!
  
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Posts: 1513
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Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live
As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.
I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.
He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.
Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.
I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.
He must have awoken, for 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."
With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.
I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.
-Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt, written near Christmas in 1986
-Big Dan
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Not going anywhere for a while?...
... Grab a Snickers, Fatass.
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Sean_C
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Merry Christmas to our Troops, and God Speed to all
Sean..................................
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nani
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Got kudzu?
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Posts: 7953
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Re: Read it.
« Reply #2 on: Dec 24th, 2004, 6:06pm » |
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These poor kids just break my heart.
May God bless and protect them.
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Others may come and go, but MY power is MINE.
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echo
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Chronic and still alive --- I Win!
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Posts: 4214
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Re: Read it.
« Reply #3 on: Dec 24th, 2004, 6:22pm » |
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Thanks Dan. nice to see you post again.
My son is an ex-marine, and now a cop, and I am soooo proud of him.
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"If you love something, let it go. If it doesn't come back, hunt it down and kill it".
Proud Dad of a US Marine, and a former Marine turned Police Officer.
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Karla
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
One of Many and Never Alone - Join OUCH
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Posts: 3090
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Re: Read it.
« Reply #5 on: Dec 24th, 2004, 7:53pm » |
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Semper Fi
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Karla
suffer chronic ch
ch.com groupie since 1999
Proud Mom of Chris USMC Semper Fi
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TxBasslady
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Bass fishin' is a h00t It's the catchin' that sux
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Posts: 3201
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Re: Read it.
« Reply #6 on: Dec 25th, 2004, 2:54am » |
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Wow....here we sit, nice and comfy in our homes.
We have the luxury of spending Christmas with our children and our grandchildren, sisters, bothers, parents and friends. Most of us bought too many gifts, and cooked too much food.
In a land far away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas, there are sons, daughters, Mom's and Dad's spending this day without their family.
So many sacrifices have been made by our Military.
They surely deserve our thoughts and prayers for a safe journey in their duties, and our wishes for a Christmas as merry as it can be under the circumstances.
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How lucky I am... to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye too.
Take a kid fishin
www.takemefishin.org
I adopted a Vietnam POW/MIA from El Paso, Texas! 
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Carl_D
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Just too awesome for words.
Hi Dan 
Carl D
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Ree
New Board Hall of Famer
2008's my year to shine~SUN IS OUT!!!YAY
  
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Posts: 5236
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Re: Read it.
« Reply #8 on: Dec 25th, 2004, 9:45am » |
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You guys are killin me... thanks for honoring our troops... love to you all Ree
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Proud Mom to US ARMY Kiowa OH58 PILOT~CWO2 SCOTT Hawaii, & USMC Vet~Now POLICE OFFICER SEAN, Citizen of the Month~ Breezy~ Nana 4 Matt/Mike&Aya, MIL To Shino Wife to Dave HI BILL!http://www.myspace.com/dungareespocket http://www.prohawaiian.com
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