12-01-2003, 06:32 PM | #1 (permalink) |
Chilled to Perfection
Location: Dallas, TX
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TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
A close friend sent me this, I though I would share it with everyone.
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 CORPS." 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." This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan With 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. Let's all wish our Soldiers a Merry Christmas to them and their familys
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What's the difference between congress and a penitentiary? One is filled with tax evaders, blackmailers and threats to society. The other is for housing prisoners. ~~David Letterman |
12-01-2003, 08:39 PM | #3 (permalink) |
Float on.... Alright
Location: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains, i.e. Oklahoma
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Damn good poem. Those guys never get enough credit. Even if you don't agree support our troops.
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"I'm not even supposed to be here today." "I assure you we're open." |
12-02-2003, 12:38 AM | #5 (permalink) |
Tilted
Location: WI
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Wow, that was very good.
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http://www.deeko.com/images/articles/LOTRBANNER.jpg |
12-02-2003, 07:45 AM | #6 (permalink) |
will always be an Alyson Hanniganite
Location: In the dust of the archives
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That made me a little misty eyed. Excuse me for a moment....
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"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt. |
12-02-2003, 09:52 AM | #8 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: Up yonder
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This brought a little tear to my eye. Thanks for the reminder that there are people who put their very lives on the line so we can enjoy all that we have.
Best wishes to them and their families.
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You've been a naughty boy....go to my room! |
12-03-2003, 10:16 AM | #10 (permalink) |
Optimistic Skeptic
Location: Midway between a Beehive and Centennial
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Excellent poem. I'm more of a Dove than a Hawk and think Ghandi had it right and Arafat is misguided. Still, it's nice to know there are men and women who are willing to give their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day.
Thank you ICER.
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IS THAT IT ???!!! Do you even know what 'it' is? When the last man dies for just words that he said... We Shall Be Free |
12-03-2003, 10:22 AM | #11 (permalink) |
EVIL!
Location: Southwest of nowhere
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Excellent poem. Having been in the service and gone for a long time and missing many holidays, I know the feeling. No matter your politics, we need to remember our troops and support them. they are just following orders and can't choose where to go.
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When all else fails, QUIT. |
12-03-2003, 10:40 AM | #12 (permalink) |
I aim to misbehave!
Location: SW Oklahoma
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Excellent, thank you for posting it. It is already on its way to several other people.
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Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G. I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom |
Tags |
christmas, night, twas |
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