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A Letter From Marines Stationed in Iraq
A letter from Iraq ^
| 12/14/05
| Self
Posted on 12/14/2005 7:33:18 AM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts
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I would also like to post one other item that came with one of the letters from the Marines in Iraq. It is a Christmas poem and really touched me. I thought it would be nice to share it here. It is titled simply, MERRY CHRISTMAS.
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,
A WARDS 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 MARINE,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY
THE MARINE LA Y SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM SUCH A MESS,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
THE UNITED STA TES BEST.
WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM ID 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 MARINES
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 MARINES,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
INA LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE MARINE 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 MARINE ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP
I KEPT WA T CH FOR HO URS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEA VE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE MARINE ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DA Y, ALL IS SECURE.
ONE LOOK A T MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT "
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
2
posted on
12/14/2005 7:34:03 AM PST
by
Bloody Sam Roberts
(This is my tagline. There are many like it but this one is mine.)
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
3
posted on
12/14/2005 7:40:17 AM PST
by
Bhrian
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
The poem was BEAUTIFUL. :* Thank you for sharing.
4
posted on
12/14/2005 7:41:53 AM PST
by
ninergold3
(aka GiantsPrincess)
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
To: Bloody Sam Roberts; Laurita; CMS; The Sailor; txradioguy; Jet Jaguar; Defender2; ...
"This is from me to those that have not written yet, please write, use it,
tell about your family, your hobbies, how the weather is, what are you planning for the weekend.
Tell a funny thing that happened, send a joke anything. Tell about your pets and kids.
We miss home and it means a lot to hear from everyone."
From a US Marine's e-mail
Will You help keep the Candle Lit for our service men and women?
Can you spare a few moments today to either
e-mail them or learn about sending packages to them?
Many of them are away from home for the 1st time.
PLEASE Click on the graphic and help cheer them up.
You will stay right where you are on this thread while you write them.
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
Thank you for sharing. It is always good to hear from America's finest!
7
posted on
12/14/2005 8:00:24 AM PST
by
Just A Nobody
(I - LOVE - my attitude problem! WBB lives on. Beware the Enemedia.)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
8
posted on
12/14/2005 8:02:07 AM PST
by
Soaring Feather
(For our fabulous TROOPS, Thank You, for your service.)
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
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 Marine, I puzzled, some twenty years old, All dressed in cammies, 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."
"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.
9
posted on
12/14/2005 8:06:37 AM PST
by
2111USMC
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
11
posted on
12/14/2005 8:10:49 AM PST
by
E.G.C.
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
That poem always seems to stir the dust because something is in my eye.
12
posted on
12/14/2005 8:11:39 AM PST
by
Blood of Tyrants
(G-d is not a Republican. But Satan is definitely a Democrat.)
13
posted on
12/14/2005 8:14:00 AM PST
by
eureka!
(Hey Lefties and 'Rats: Over 3 more years of W. Hehehehe....)
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
14
posted on
12/14/2005 8:19:32 AM PST
by
rlmorel
("Innocence seldom utters outraged shrieks. Guilt does." Whittaker Chambers)
To: 2111USMC
Thanks for posting taht. It is beautiful. A message we must all remember.
15
posted on
12/14/2005 8:39:56 AM PST
by
Bloody Sam Roberts
(This is my tagline. There are many like it but this one is mine.)
To: Blood of Tyrants
I know just what you mean.
16
posted on
12/14/2005 8:41:11 AM PST
by
Bloody Sam Roberts
(This is my tagline. There are many like it but this one is mine.)
To: 2111USMC
This poem always brings forth a prayer, tears and deeply felt gratitude for our Military no matter where they are.
Thanks..........
(just the best site!)
17
posted on
12/14/2005 8:51:31 AM PST
by
yoe
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
Thanks BloodySam, now I have a hugh lump in my throat. Great poem.
18
posted on
12/14/2005 8:54:53 AM PST
by
GunnyHartman
(Allah is allah outta virgins.)
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
19
posted on
12/14/2005 9:49:12 AM PST
by
StarCMC
(Old Sarge is my hero...doing it right in Iraq! Vaya con Dios, Sarge.)
To: GunnyHartman
Very touching. I called my Marine Buddy this am....just to say hello!!
20
posted on
12/14/2005 9:53:21 AM PST
by
Sacajaweau
(God Bless Our Troops!!)
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