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Topic: Soldiers poem (Read 722 times) |
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vietvet2tours
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Soldiers poem
« on: Dec 20th, 2006, 9:51am » |
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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.
FOR 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 CHRISTMAS DAY.
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 CHRISTMAS EVE
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 HOME."
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
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Kill em all let God sort em out
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JDH
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #1 on: Dec 20th, 2006, 10:28am » |
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For those who serve, thank you and may you all be safe.
Jim
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9-11-01, to remember is to honor.
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JeffB
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #2 on: Dec 20th, 2006, 10:51am » |
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Very nice!
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Jonny
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #3 on: Dec 20th, 2006, 5:37pm » |
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SWEET!!!!
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Jimi
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #4 on: Dec 20th, 2006, 6:07pm » |
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I remember. Thanks for sharing compadre.
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Kirk
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #5 on: Dec 20th, 2006, 7:01pm » |
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Thank for sharing.
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Kevin_M
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #6 on: Dec 20th, 2006, 7:08pm » |
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Thanks vet.
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Grandma_Sweet_Boy
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #7 on: Dec 20th, 2006, 7:17pm » |
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Thanks to all of those that have given us our freedom by serving their countries.
Carol
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Jonny
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #8 on: Dec 20th, 2006, 8:08pm » |
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God bless you and what you do for us!!
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=0ae6b18c69
We have a clusterhead there!!
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
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Lizzie2
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #9 on: Dec 20th, 2006, 8:13pm » |
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Beautiful poem....
God Bless all our heroes over there. We are still able to celebrate Christmas and our holidays however we want because of their sacrifice....
May it be a day of peace for our sons/daughters/brothers/sisters/mothers/fathers fighting in Iraq....
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Charlie
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #10 on: Dec 20th, 2006, 9:51pm » |
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Thanks for that. A nice thing it is.
Charlie
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Ree
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #11 on: Dec 21st, 2006, 11:11pm » |
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Hey thanks for the tribute especially around this time of year. I'm sure we have all seen the news and know what horrible things are happening in Iraq right now. My son is flying over the streets of Tikrit, Bagdad and the like, trying to keep our troops safe and instructing others at the same time. He is so busy. He said its very different this time. I'm sure he can feel the tension and the energy is high. Let's send these guys all the vibes, thought, prayer whatever you call it. Let's sheild them with the love of whatever we know to be patriotism and love for our country no matter our political views. Its hard to think about the Holidays while my kid is roaming around in a scene from Mad Max... Lets think about others here at home awaiting their loved ones and not forget. Love to you all
a very lonely Ree
Look who else Im missing... Scotts kids Mike Matt and Ayano, I'm sure its hard for them being without their dad again! Aya's birthday is tomorrow the 22nd. She is one. I remember when I first posted Matthews picture when I became a Nana.
 My favorite present yet is this picture.
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Mosaicwench
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #12 on: Dec 22nd, 2006, 8:37am » |
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It is the Soldier,
not the reporter who has given us freedom of press
It is the Soldier,
not the poet who has given us freedom of speech
It is the Soldier,
not the campus organizer who gives us
freedom to demonstrate
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Father Dennis Edward O'Brien
While not very Christmasy, I thought of this poem as I was re-folding my father's and father-in-law's casket flags to put into display cases. The display cases will be given as presents to brew's mom and my brother for Christmas.
Thanks to all Vets and active duty out there. We thank you for your service.
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aprilbee
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #13 on: Dec 22nd, 2006, 8:56am » |
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Wow....
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pattik
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #14 on: Dec 22nd, 2006, 9:39am » |
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Thanks, potter. Much appreciated perspective.
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #15 on: Dec 22nd, 2006, 9:54am » |
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Absolutely beautiful Potter! You sure know how to make a wimp out of me!
Thanks.....Tim
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Sandy_C
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #16 on: Dec 22nd, 2006, 11:57am » |
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Absolutely beautiful poetry. Thank you for sharing it and for reminding all of us what we owe to all of the men and women who give us the freedom to celebrate our holidays.
Sandy
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #17 on: Dec 22nd, 2006, 12:05pm » |
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Thank you 4 both poems. They now on their way to a friend spending the hols in Afghanistan 
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PL259
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #18 on: Dec 22nd, 2006, 7:06pm » |
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Wonderful poems. Not sure If I put this one here before or not. If I did I don't apoligize for putting it up again.
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 "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"
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Mosaicwench
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Re: Soldiers poem
« Reply #19 on: Dec 23rd, 2006, 10:42am » |
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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"
Oh man . . . that sent me over the edge.
God bless them all.
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The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter. ~Author Unknown
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