A Different Christmas Story
This entry was posted on December 22, 2007 5:57 PM and is filed under the troops.
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."
A special "thank you" to the following; who touch my life this year ... active or retired ... givers; who are still making a difference for America's freedom;
Eric Jazak, USMC
Paul Daniel, USMC
Aric Hackler, USMC
Dennis and Carleen Arinello, USMC
Derrick Van Natta, USMC
Jack Shiffler, USMC (ret)
Mike Roche, USMC (ret)
Guy Cummins, USMC (ret)
Matt Tune, USMC (ret)
Marcus Estrada, USMC
Steven May, USMC
Curt Ames, USMC
Michael Forres, USMC
Marty Smith III, USMC (ret)
Jim Bender, USMC (ret)
Joe Jones, USMC (ret)
Ed Bartt, USMC, (ret)
Zachary Fulgenzi, US Army
Bob Kolling, US Army (ret)
Darrin Domko, US Army
Mark Stanish, US Army (ret)
Dennis Celletti, US Army
Jack Amberg, US Army
Ryan Yantis, US Army (ret)
Sheldrick McNeal, US Army
Brandi Schiff, US Army
Matt Maupin, US Army~ POW/MIA, Iraq
Allison Kitzerow, US Army
James "Jim-Bob" Roth, US Army
Benjamin White, US Army
Fred Snyder, US Army
Mick Yauger, US Army (ret) ~ Helmets to Hardhats
Sarah Oury, US Army (ret)
Rick Storto, US Army (ret)
Gerrold "jammin' J" Johnson, US Army (ret)
Jim Capparelli, US Army
Manny Garcia, US Army
Bennie Mondragon, US Army
Chris Michaels, US Army
Festus Togbeola, US Army
Joe Repya, US Army
James Hart, US Army (ret)
Al Curtis, US Army (ret)
Charles Arinello, US Navy (ret)
Bobby Ferguson, US Navy (ret)~ We Do Care
Jamie Lupo, US Navy
Rick Pinedo, US Air Force
Patrick "Bull" Sheets, US Air Force
Alison Ruble, USO-Illinois
Lisa Moeller, USO-Illinois
Liz Belcaster, Helmets to Hardhats
Norm Bouley, Helmets to Hardhats
Jim Van Natta, Patriot Entertianment ~ Marine Father
Joey Cantafio, Gold Star Father, Ryan Cantafio, USMC
Roy and Georgette Frank, Gold Star Parents of Phillip Frank, USMC ~ The Heart of a Marine Foundation
Kirk Morris, Gold Star Father of Geoff Morris, USMC ~ The Geoffrey Morris Foundation
Dana Palmer, Gold Star Mother, Cory Palmer, USMC
Debbie Argel-Bastian, Gold Star Mother, Derek Argel, US Air Force ~ First Giving.com
Yellow Ribbon Support Group ~ Mac, Pat, Lisa and the rest of the gang
Soldiers Angels
Chris Gray, Army Public Affairs, Chicago
Ashley Stetter, Army Public Affairs, Washington D. C.
Dirk Beveridge, We Do Care
Cliff Storzback and family, We Do Care
Peter Roskam and staff from the 6th District in Illinois, US Congress
Michael May, Marine Father
Keith Maupin, Click here: Yellow Ribbon Support Center
Kim Busch, Patriot Guard Rider
Randy Miles, never served but does more for the troops than can ever be imagined
Jonathan Brant, Rock Star/Patriot
Ryan Jazak, Patriot Guard Rider~Gear Up Foundation
Rick Kolomay, Schaumburg Fire Department
Bob Hoff, Chicago Fire Department
Steve Chikrotis, Chicago Fire Department
Pat Lynch, USMC (ret)~Chicago Fire Department
Fred ILL, FDNY
Chris Reynolds, FDNY
Don Hayde, USMC (ret)~FDNY
John Olivero - US Army (ret)~ FDNY
Vinny and Monica Forras, Gear Up Foundation
Dave Wentz, Exchange Club, Naperville, Illinois
Stephanie Pennick, Rotary Club~Exchange Club, Naperville, Illinois
Nancy Quigley, Rotary Club, Naperville, Illinois
Sandy Southward, Exchange Club, Naperville, Illinois
Brian McCarthey, Office of Peter Roskam
Mike Dorfman, Trick Drums, Inc.
Cliff Russell, brother of the late Stephen P. Russell, FDNY Engine 55
Joe Pinto, Pheasant Run Resort and Spa, First Responder and Troops Supporter
Cheryl Castanedo, Army-mother-in-law (two son-in-laws serving) huge troops supporter
101st Rock Division, ... 100% support for America's finest
Comments
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December 24, 2007 2:49 PM
Lisa wrote:
Quite a list you have Joe ... I know you're a blessing to all the folks here at Yellow Ribbon Support Group.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!
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December 25, 2007 8:45 AM
Ryan Jazak wrote:
Awesome post Joe. Merry Christmas my friend, and God Bless.
Ryan Jazak
Proud brother of GySgt Eric Jazak USMC
Reply to this -
December 25, 2007 12:36 PM
Shar wrote:
Geeze Joe, you gotta make me tear up on Christmas? Thanks so much for that wonderful Christmas story. And you all you military reading this, my family and I appreciate all you do/have done for our family. My husband served in Air Force in his single days, so military has always been important to us.
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