Silent Night

For all those who have served and paid the ultimate price for our Freedom.


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.
So that your family can sleep without fright.
It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
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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."
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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.
[/b]
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."[/b]
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So off am I now on this cold winters night,[/b]
To join the others in that eternal fight.[/b]
I gave my life freely now you do your part,[/b]
And make sure we are remembered and kept in your heart.[/b]
For when you forget then we fought for naught,[/b]
And we will no longer exist in memory or thought[/b]
[/b]

you have a beautiful way with words...
i think i remember you posted this poem
once before...
or another one like it...
you are another hero of mine....
god bless you always...

Hi Sir, my name is Kimberly, I have been sharing life with ajohn for the last 11 years.I have had quit a few laughs watching him on this web site pecking at the board, however he shared the item you posted. It was beautifully written. This pass weekend my oldest son left for Irag. As a mother I cry, as a Christian I pray, to be strong in faith and Gods will. It, at times is hard to be strong... I msut say I would in a really baad place if I tried to do this alone... Blessings to you and yours.. Kimberly

Mrs. Glassman here. I read the beautiful poem and I just wanted everyone on this site to know that I admire and respect everyone who has ever served or had anyone they knew who served in our country's great military services. I know it is something that I could never do, although my dad served in Korea during the war and I have a beautiful photo album of the pictures that he took and were took of him over there. It is a special cherished memory I have of him. There is a song that the Monkees recorded back in the 60's called ZOR and ZAM that you can watch on YouTube that tells the story of two little kings that plotted a war but nobody came. That is my pray every night, that all the warring people in the world will just one day realize that if we all throw down our weapons these stupid leaders can't have wars. Idealistic I know, but I can Dream. Kimberly, my thoughts and prayers will be with your son and all the other sons and daughters that are in harm's way. God Bless you all for your service and the service of your relatives. Peace be with you all and have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

Not my words Star but I fully understand and know the feeling of this piece. The artist is unknown other than "a kid serving in Iraq". I wish him well because by his writing you can tell that he has seen to much already in his young life.

I understand what these you people are going through as I have been there. Pray with your whole heart and as children. Remember, there is nothing in the heavens, on the earth or in the earth more powerfull than a mothers prayer. Make sure they know how proud you are of them and send them letters and cards often.

I was not allowed to send or recieve mail for quite some time while serving in the military and I know how much the little things count.

Arthur I truly believe that there is a long procession of American soldiers in heaven waiting to greet each and every soldier who passes through the gates. I'm sure that your son along with my brother and many others I have had the honor to serve with are in good hands and honorable company.

ARTHUR:YOUR SON WAS THE KIND OF CHRISTIAN I WANT TO BE! IN 1971 I BECAME A CHRISTIAN. IN 72 I FILLED OUT MY DRAFT PAPERS.[NAM HAD A YEAR TO GO FOR IT WAS BASICALLY OVER] I WAS AGAINST WAR,BUT FELT I SHOULD GO IF CALLED. AS A NON COMBATENT. MY THINKING WAS I COULD HELP MAYBE AS AN ASSISTENT TO SOMEBODY LIKE YOUR SON. I WAS WILLING TO GO WHERE THE FIGHTING WAS. I WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH THOUGH,I DID NOT VOLENTEER LIKE YOUR SON AND GOT ON MY KNEES AND ASKED THE LORD IF IT WAS POSSIBLE I WOULD NOT HAVE TO GO!YOUR SON'S CHRISTIANITY MAKES ME ASHAMED OF MYSELF!JESUS SAID "IF YOU SEEK YOUR LIFE YOU WILL LOSE IT,BUT IF YOU GIVE UP YOUR LIFE YOU WILL GAIN IT"! YOUR SON SHOWS ME I GOT TO DO BETTER!NO MORE WORDS CEPT WHAT A MAN AND CHRISTIAN YOUR SON IS!JESUS SAID GOD IS NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD ,BUT OF THE LIVING AND I KNOW YOUR SON'S REWARD IS GREAT IN HEAVEN! COURSE YOU DON'T NEED TO HEAR THAT FROM A BIG MOUTH TO KNOW THIS!I JUST MEAN TO SAY I LOVE YOU AND WHAT YOUR SON DID IS WHAT,GOD AND JESUS IS REALLY ABOUT! AND HOPEFULLY IS WHAT AMERICA IS STILL ABOUT. JAMIE

HAS ANYONE HEARD THE STORY OF HOW IN WW1,1914 ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE SOLDIERS ON THE BRITISH AND THE SOLDIERS ON THE GERMAN SIDE STARTED SINGING MOSTLY THE SONG SILENT NIGHT. THE FIRING STOPPED,THE BIG GUNS STOPPED,THE SOLDIERS FROM BOTH SIDES CAME OUT OF THEIR TRENCES ,MET IN "NO MAN'S LAND ",EXCHANGED SMALL GIFTS,LIKE CANDY,TOBBACO,WHISKEY,ECT. SOME GOT TOGETHER AND READ THE 23RD PSALM.THIS ALL HAPPENED WITH NO ORDERS GIVEN. IN FACT IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR THE HIGHER UPS DID ALL THEY COULD TO MAKE SURE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN,BUT IT DID ANYWAY ,BUT ON A SMALLER SCALE. I PRAY THAT FOR CHRISTMAS,PEACE WILL BREAK OUT,AT LEAST IN OUR HEARTS.