SOLDIERS NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.

'Twas the night before Christmas,

This is the Marine version, which is the original.
Below this, is the Soldier's version.

T'was the night before Christmas,
he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house
made of plaster and stone.

I came down the chimney
with presents to give
to see in this dwelling,
who really did live.

As I looked all about,
strange sights I did see,
no tinsel, no presents,
not even a tree.

No stockings were hung,
just boots filled with sand,
the wall had pictures,
of strange far off lands.

Shelves stuffed with medals,
awards of all kinds,
when a sobering thought,
smashed into my mind.

This house was distinct,
unlike any I'd seen.
This house was the home,

of a U.S. Marine.

The stories I read,
now I had to see more,
so I walked through the hall,
then pushed open the door.

Silently sleeping,
he laid all alone,
Curled on the floor,
in his one bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle,
his face so serene;
this was not my concept,

of a U.S. Marine.

Was this the hero,
of whom I had read?

In a poncho liner,
a floor for his bed?
His head was clean shaven,
his weathered face tan.
I soon understood,
this was more than a man.

I conclude the families,
I call on tonight,
owed their lives to these men,
who are willing to fight.

At day break the nation's,
children would play.
Adults would rejoice,
on a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom,
month long and all year,
Because of Marines,
- like the one lying here.
Many Marines,
rest cold and alone,
on Christmas eve,
in lands far from their homes.

This thought struck me,
brought tears to my eyes,
I dropped to my knees
and started to cry.
He awoke to my sobs,
for I heard his rough voice.

"Santa don't cry,

for this life is my choice.
I fight for our freedom,
and don't ask for more,
My life is My Gods',
- My Country and Corps!"

"We have some leaders,
who chose not to fight,
they never experienced,
deaths grip in the night.

But that does not stop me -
from doing my chore,
For while I'm on duty,
you're safe on these shores."

I stood up and wiped,
the tears with my hand,
His dignity enough,
to honor this man.
This Guardian of Honor,
so willing to fight,
I remember his words
on that cold Christmas night.

He rose to his feet,
and was soon standing tall,
while I picked up my bag,
I had dropped in the hall.

He saluted then spoke,
the words crisp and tight,

"Merry Christmas my Friend,
Semper Fi, and Goodnight!"

~~ Written by ~~

Gunnery Sergeant Anthony C. Hicks USMC Marine Corps Recruiting Station 181-198 West Gun Smoke Dodge City, KS 67801

Printed in Leatherneck Magazine USMC - December 1994

There are many servicemen and women who aren't able to be home with their families for the holidays. They are protecting us and our freedom so that we can celebrate in Peace with our families. Let's pass this on to everyone and let all our servicemen and women know how much we appreciate their sacrifice for us. Thank You


SOLDIER'S VERSION

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 did I see ...
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree!

No stockings by the mantle,
Just boots filled with sand;
On the wall hung pictures
Of far and 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 house of a soldier,
Once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,
Silent, alone ...
Curled upon 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 just read?
Curled up on a poncho ...
The floor for a bed?

I realized the families
I saw on 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 Corps."

The soldier rolled over
And drifted to sleep;
I couldn't control it ...
I started to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
So silent and still;
And we both just 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.

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!


Silent Night, in addition to being the most
popular Christmas carol around the world,
is also ~ THE song ~ that stopped a war.
This happened during World War I.
While fighting in the trenches the Allied forces
were quite amazed at a sudden lull
in the German halt to battle.
Thinking it was a ruse,
they held their guard
and were even more shocked
as the sound they heard rising
over falling snow was the
German version of Silent Night.
The Allied Forces, convinced they were being set up,
at first just listened, but soon joined in.
The Germans came forth from their trenches,
as did the Allies and through the night,
and into the next day the two enemies
exchanged gifts of cigarettes,
drink and socks, as well as partook
in a game of football.
The following day they resumed fighting.
There was
"Peace on Earth"
for that one night in history.

Read my Dreambook!
Sign my Dreambook!

HOME