I don't normally forward stuff "to everybody I know", but this moved me to tears and I wanted to share with the list. No further comment from me is needed; it speaks for itself. D - - - - - - - - - - > To all of the soldiers I know...provided by one of your comrades. Thanks > to > you all and Happy Holidays. > > "All Is Secure" > > 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 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 soon 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. > The following is his request. I think it is reasonable..... > > Please. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as > many people as you can? > > 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. > > >