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All is Well
Santa
* Author Cmdr.Donald
M DeWITT,USN Retired
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 did I see,
No tinsel,
no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking
by the 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 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 childen 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 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!
Thank
you solider,
Merry
Christmas |
