A Christmas "Thank You" to all who have and are serving...

Our Christmas hustle and bustle is just around the corner -- this
is a good reminder of how fortunate we all are.

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."

 

AMEN!!!

A deep heartfelt THANK YOU to our brave men & women who fight (and who have served) for our freedom and sacrifice their own lives for us. You are the Heros that keep the American spirit alive!!

 

Awesome OP.

^^ This X 1000

 

Thank you OP, very touching but now I don't think I'm going to be able to stop crying all day. I think of and worry about my guy every minute of every day. I had two wonderful years with him in college. We've been married for 11 years now. I've spent more nights alone than with the man of my dreams. I feel terrible for him and what he has been through. This year, more than all the others combined, really hurts. In a lot of ways we are blessed. We have a nice house, pretty things, and a good job. At this point I'd trade it all and willingly sleep on the floor in a one room house to be with my husband. I wish we would just bring our guys home.

I don't mean to complain and I really do pray you all have a very Merry Christmas. I know everyone has their problems and sorry for wearing my heart on the outside. I miss my guy.

 

God bless our troops and first responders.

 

Merry Christmas to you,
never apologize for wearing your heart on the outside. It is the support and power that the active duty members pull on from there spouses, families and significant others that keep them strong. The families that are left home on these deployments also make great sacrifices. Ones that should, but rarely are recognized. It is the thought that you are at home and love us that keeps the active duty member constantly driving. Be comforted knowing that he is thinking of you every waking minute of every day longing to be home with you as well. I wish you the best and thank you for your service as well!!! Merry Christmas

 

Thank you Mr 2012 SilverSport. What you wrote is very sweet. It's kinda interesting that you thanked me for "my service".

I didn't want to be alone Christmas eve so I went to Midnight Mass. I had on a really pretty dress but decided to put on my husbands bright red "United Stated Marines" sweatshirt over my outfit. I probably looked silly but I felt very good. During the service I just kinda lost it and an older man sitting next to me put his arms around me and said Semper Fi and thanked me for my service to our country. It's the first time I ever felt like maybe I was actually doing something important. I just want my guy home . Thanks again.

 

Your very welcome. It is all true, my wife is just as much a part of the service as I am. Your support, undestandingstanding and dedication is important and necessary for all active duty. Happy holidays

 

RIP Matt Cannan.

God bless you and your Mom and Dad. I cannot thank you enough for the freedom I hold so dear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP_a9XrHZgE&feature=player_detailpage#t=50

 

/\ and to all their families that endure the separation and distance

 

What a terrible story for such a brave and handsome young man. It scares me to think of the family you and others like you never had the chance to have. So many of our wonderful young men and women continue to give so much. I don't know what to say and I don't know what I would do. I pray our wonderful and loving God grants you and your family peace. May God love you and bless you Matt Cannan.