Another Christmas Thought

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Jim Dick

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Normally I do not forward anything from the Inernet. However the following was sent to me by a close friend who retired from the Army a few years ago. It arrived right after we spoke with our son and he sent pictures of his ship during an UNREP with the Eisenhower. It really struck home. Hope you enjoy it.

Read the whole poem...

   

   

    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 "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





    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. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.





    LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN

    30th Naval Construction Regiment

    OIC, Logistics Cell One

    Al Taqqadum, Iraq

    DSN: 302-362-6828
 
Thank you, Jim, that is one poem I will remember.  It's fitting any time of the year.
 
Ned & Ron,

Glad you enjoyed. Yes, it is appropriate anytime of the year but especially now. My friend who sent this loved the Army even though he is suffering from the effects of Agent Orange.

 
Ron,

I thought so that's why I posted it. Normally I never forward anything I get but this one really got to me.
 
Ron,

I hope others will pass it on to their friends and loved ones. No matter why they are sent to war they are doing it for us. I've attached one of the photos of our son's ship breaking away from the Eisenhower during the UNREP. It's now my wallpaper. ;D
 

Attachments

  • IKE Breakaway - Dec 05 (Medium).JPG
    IKE Breakaway - Dec 05 (Medium).JPG
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Ron & Tom,

Glad you liked it. I have to find out which figure on the port bridge wing is our son. ;D ;D
 
Jim:

You'd be interested to know that peom was read last night at our twice a month El Mirage Variety Show and got a standing ovation.  Thanks again.
 
Smoky said:
Jim:

You'd be interested to know that peom was read last night at our twice a month El Mirage Variety Show and got a standing ovation.  Thanks again.

Smoky,

Thanks for that. That is great!!! I only wish I knew the guy that wrote it! I wouldn't be able to read that in front of anyone. It would be hard to see the paper. :)

 
Howdy, Jim.

Thanks for posting that very moving poem and great photo. Both are truly beautiful.  :)  :)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and Pat.


Best regards,
Liz and Jack
 
Jackliz said:
Howdy, Jim.

Thanks for posting that very moving poem and great photo. Both are truly beautiful.  :)  :)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and Pat.


Best regards,
Liz and Jack

Thanks and Happy Chanukah to you. One of the figures on the bridge wing is our son. Just don't know which one.
 
Karl said:
Probably the one in the Tartan plaid kilt :D

Man, that thing's got more 'snoopy' antennas than Turner Broadcasting!

Karl,

He actually gave up the kilt when he went to the Academy. :) Unfortunately they formed a band after he graduated.

I'll bet you don't see have the antennae. There are three flat panels on the superstructure. one visible in the photo. That's the Aegis radar system. You should see the equipment they have in the Combat Information System!!!!
 
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