A Soldier’s Christmas and Freedom

This Christmas season let’s not forget our soldiers that are protecting the freedom we have here in the United States. The following is a poem, a re-write of the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’, that I thought I should share with everyone:

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 IN IRAQ, 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.’

The Holidays are hard when you’re away from your family and loved ones, but it’s hard for us to imagine what it would be like to be half a world away and in the middle of a war. For thousands and thousands of men and women who are serving our country, it’s a reality. Then there are the loved ones who are left at home that are also trying to handle the holidays with mom and/or dad overseas.

At the same time we need to think of our veterans and the sacrifices they made during their service, especially during the recession we’re currently experiencing. Many have returned from the Middle East only to find the company that they were previously employed by had a reduction of force and there was no job to return to. This has left many in a very hard position this Christmas.

We really owe it to our service men and women and their families for all the hardship they endure to protect our freedoms. Seeing how this is the season of love and giving shouldn’t we see what we can do to thank them for their sacrifices.

We need to show these veterans how much we care about the sacrifices they have made. Here are some ideas that can possibly make the season just a little bit brighter and happier:

1. Check with the local armory or a veteran’s organization for families in the local area that could need help for the holidays. Adopt a family, either a family where one of the parents is overseas or one where the soldier returned home without a job. It would mean a lot to them and their family.
2. Some of the Armed Forces may be on leave at this time of year. When your out shopping and running around for the holidays take a moment to stop and shake a hand and thank them for their dedication and service.
3. Check locally for a non-profit group that pack and send care packages to the troops. Give them a donation of items that they request for filling care packages, make a cash donation to help with shipping costs or volunteer to help pack items for shipment to our troops.
4. Keep both the service men and women in our prayers over the holidays. Also pray for the families that they have left behind here at home. Pray for God’s blessing on them and their families.

This Christmas we can help make sure that their families are taken care of while they’re away fighting for our freedom. We can thank a soldier or a vet for their service to our country. We can thank God and ask for His protection and comfort for them and their families. It is the season of sharing and caring and to show peace and love to all those around us. We take so much for granted living in America. We are so well off here compared to other countries. We are one of the richest, if not the richest country in the entire world. We have our freedom and we can thank the men and women who have fought and defended this country over the years. Take a moment this Christmas and holiday season to reflect upon what they have done for us and thank them either in person or thank God for all the freedoms we have.