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

A lone in the dark he looked up and smile
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 drift

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and 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 time

No one had to ask or beg or implore
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before

My Gramps died at Pearl on a day in December
Then he sighed That's a Christmas we all remember

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam
And now it is my turn and so now 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 those known

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 for 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 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

 

I really don't have the words after reading that, it is an emotional read.
God bless all our Men and Women in the Service. America LOVES you! THANK YOU for your service.

 

gave me goosebumps...

 

GOD BLESS THE MEN AND WOMAN THAT DEFEND ARE COUNTRY AT ALL COST.

 

Thank you your words mean alot.

 

Those aren't my words. I came across this, written by a Navy officer in Charleston. To me, it says it all about the committment they give every day so that we can all sit and be with our families during these holidays.
If you know or see anyone this holiday season, or for that matter, anytime, who is in the service, please lets all take the time and opportunity to thank them for what they do for us.
Oh yea, #%$@ John Kerry!
Pig

 

Amen!! Thanks to all of our service personnel past, present and future!!

 

I support the war and the troops. I have all the respect in the world for people in the service. You have to have ***** to join and go to war. I, myself, have friends that are in the Marines and the Army that will soon be deployed, probably in Iraq. I cannot thank them enough. Oh ya, F#& YOU john kerry (his name does not deserve to be capitalized). People who have served should never have to pay taxes, but thats just me.

 

God Bless our Troops! I have many friends in Iraq right now.. One was just deployed last thursday, he will be there for the next 13 months! We love you all, excellent Poem, well said!

 

how many military guys are in here? Air Force here. just seeing who else is out there?