Christmas Eve, 2006
This entry was posted on December 24, 2006 5:16 AM and is filed under the troops.
T'was the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & 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 the fire, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.
I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.
His face so gentle, his room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night
Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.
Soon `round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers like this one lying here.
I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
Just 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."
With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was
deep inside.
I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so
clean and pure,
"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!
Comments
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December 24, 2006 5:31 AM
Vinny Forras wrote:
Hi there brother.
I am not sure if I communicated with you since I got home. I am still wounded from the crazy ride. Picking Michael up at Camp Pendleton and driving across the entire country will go into the book for sure, the adventure and the gift that God has given me to spend this wonderful and meaningful time with my son.
As this Christmas approaches I wanted to reach out to you my brother and say thanks to God for allow our paths to cross. I feel blessed since the day we met and want to thank you for your love your kindness your friendship and believing in me. I want to thank you on behalf of all the men and women of this greatest country on earth for caring. NOTHING MORE and you do it so well because its from your heart. Our loved ones lost along with their families and friends owe you a debt of gratitude and a warm thank you. We are what WE are because of men like you Joe. Many talk the talk but you walk the walk. I am proud to call you my friend and brother and know that our paths crossed for a reason perhaps grander than we can even imagine at this time.
This country is a better place because of you and those like you.
As this most Holy of days draws near we remember the birth of the one who showed us the way. The more we do to be like him; the closer we are to him and to heaven.
Please accept my most sincere and heartfelt wishes for you and your family this Christmas and every day beyond. Lets keep the memory of our loved ones lost both here and abroad alive not only in our hearts but in our deeds.
GOD BLESS YOU JOE C ......
With Love,
Your brother,
Vinny
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December 24, 2006 5:42 AM
Tommy Harrigan wrote:
Hey brother how are you,
Let me say Merry Christmas to you and your family. I hope that you will have a nice Christmas and a Happy New Year. I brought enough phone-card time to call you on Christmas Day so be expecting my call.
I just got off line with Vinny, he's home now with Michael! I am so happy for him. I had to talk to him because I wanted to make arrangements for my final day here on earth, even Wendy is really worried now, things have gotten bad for me. I have to sleep in a "mist tent at night which covers the top half of my body. The mist that comes out is suppose to help me (so the doctor's say) but its not working yet, I am now throwing up every single day now I just cant take this anymore. You will see when I come to Chicago how much weight that I have lost.
Enough of the sad stuff!
Joe, I can't tell you how proud and honored that you have made me. I am so honored that you and Vinny named the Gear Up Award after me. "The Thomas Francis Harrigan Award!" I told brother Vinny I accept the honor in my name, on behalf of Vinny and the 343 FDNY firefighters that died on September 11th. You know I sat here with Wendy and cried because I have been so honored by this. I told Wendy I remember going through the fire academy and never thought that my life would ever have such an honor. Brother, I will never, ever in a million years, have thought my life would be honored in such a way. I cant thank you enough for that and for finally making my dad proud of me for what I have done. You know I really can't wait to see you again. It's the highlight of each day for me. It keeps me going along with Wendy telling me to be strong and fight.
The shipment of fire gear from the UK (Mark Millington) has finally gotten here! I got a call this morning at 6:30, saying it has arrived so we will be giving everything out to the firefighters the first week of Jan. I have invited the Governor and some people from the US Embassy to come along with all the media. The guys can't wait! They are very excited about this, you have no idea.
Joe you are the most wonderful person that I have ever meet in my life. You mean the world to me and you are such and inspiration to me to keep going. I talk to Wendy and everyone all the time about you and it's truly a blessing from God above to have meet you, God has reasons why he brings people into ones life and I am so happy that he has brought you into my life. Those 4 days with you were just priceless! I can still see the looks on you and Jon Brant's face when we turned the corner at the airport in that huge limo!
Wendy's daughters have made the Holidays very special for me. Seeing their faces light up when they look at the tree to count their presents is so wonderful. Wendy said that this will be the best Christmas ever. I feel like a kid myself and had so much fun shopping for them, that Wendy had to tell me to slow down! (yeah me slow down)
I love ya brother, with all my heart and I can't wait to see you again.
Take care of yourself and may God always bless you and watch over you and help you on your world journey's with anything you may need.
I love ya brother,
Tommy
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December 24, 2006 10:10 PM
Lisa Smith wrote:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family Joe.
I have only been visiting the blog a short time. I saw you this summer the We Do Care Arlington Park Troop Rally this summer. I am a volunteer with the Yellow Ribbon Support Group. Looking around your website and seeing the various posts on this blog, you are obviously loved and appreciated by those who know you. "A great American"!
May you have an even greater impact in 2007!
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