Remembering Our Troops at Xmas

[JerseyRidge]

Just thought I would share a heart warming poem I received in an email from my Sister. Hope you enjoy, and remember those who keep us protected and safe.....past, present, and future.... Happy Holidays All !!!
A Christmas Poem

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
Sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... An American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."



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.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30t h Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum , Iraq.

[Hawk 51]

Nice post, it hit very close to home. I've mentioned before that my daughter is serving in Afghanistan. This will be the first Christmas without her here.

Many family and friends have inquired on 'what do they need, and what can I do'. Her answer is that they don't want anything except to be ensured that they are remembered. This, from the original 'material girl', is quite a change.

We sent boxes of homemade cookies, they are a great hit as they always have been, just that little bit of home and saying that they are in the forefront of our thoughts.

If anyone has the opportunity to send cards, etc., please do. These warriors are watching after each other, all they need from us is to be remembered.

As my daughter says, 'Till we all come home'.


Hawk

[BillynDeb]

To all our men and women in uniform,
Our family can't say "thank you" enough! A lot of appreciation and thank you's is a small price to pay in return for you willing to sacrifice your life for my freedom and well being!!! We live in the best country thanks to you! We are proud of you all! If you are a Vietnam Vet, "WELCOME HOME SOLDIER, YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!!!
To any one that reads this,
Go out of your way to thank our military people. That includes past, present, and future fighters! So many have never heard any one say a simple "thanks for your service to our country". It means a lot to hear it from a stranger. Look for the clues to spot them: Uniform, hair cut, stature, posture, respectful manners, a pass to enter base on their windshield, etc. Also, don't forget to thank their spouses and family since they sacrifice also. If a spouse is deployed, offer assistance to the other one at home with what you can do such as, auto repair, baby sitting, home repair, yard work, meals, rides to where ever or even just a ear to listen with or a shoulder to cry on!
Please pass this on to friends and family that are serving.
I could go on and on! They mean the world to me!
With a heart full of gratitude,
The Szymborski family

[Hawk 51]

Nicely stated, thanks for caring.

Hawk