T'was 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
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 |
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