T'was the Night Before Christmas (army style)

T’was The Night Before Christmas
T’was 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 house did live.

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

No stockings by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With metals 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.

I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.

His face so gentle, his 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 his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night
Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.

Soon ‘round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
Just 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."

With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I watched for hours, so silent and still
and we both shivered from the cold night’s chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his t-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.
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 so clean and pure,
"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."

(The original poem was written by James M. Schmidt, who was a Lance Corporal stationed in Washington, DC when he wrote the poem back in 1986. The poem has been modified over time to represent Marines, Army and Navy. After leaving the Corps, Corporal Schmidt earned a law degree and now serves as an entertainment attorney in Los Angeles and is director of operations for a security consulting firm. Information provided from www.snopes.com)