[Colin_Partridge]

Hi Gang,
I was sent this by a friend of mine he and I served our country for many years so I can relate to this. For all the times I was away from my family when duty called. At this time of year lets take a moment to think of those servicemen and women who are away from their families and in harms way. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did sure made me take time to think and relate.
Colin

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!!



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 "It’s 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.

Lets try to remember those that are standing on guard for us, not only at this time of year but, every day as we enjoy the freedom they bring us.

[AlArchie]

Colin, I took the time, and am surely glad I did! Our freedoms are being defended, even today, in ways we may not fully understand or appreciate, but our neighbors who serve in the military are out there doing it every day.

Al

[MDWine]

Yep, I took the time to post in on a couple of other forums as well... it needs to be seen!

Thanks for posting, and thanks to our service men and women, past, present, and future!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Great poem, been there! Being away from home at Christmas is about the loneliness thing there is I believe! Lets all remember the people out there protecting this great land and keep them in our prayers! God bless America!

[wood-whittler]

wow that poem gets you to thinking if there are any armed services personanel reading this i just want to say thanks for what you do for us and our country and may you get home soon.

bart

[Kenny_S]

Thank you from one vet to another. Yes, Spent two lonely years in Nam during Christmas and I know many of the board members have also. Great poem Colin. What a joy and even sadness in reading it. Makes one glad they are from Countries that believe in Freedom and hopefully do not take it for granted.

God Bless you

[Canopener]

Semper Fi, Hurrahh! All to often, us civilians take our freedoms for granted; and forget about the ordinary people that volunteer to become the extraordinary in the service of their country.
Nice one Colin.
Jim